PROGRAM OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Summary Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. Responsibilities PURPOSE OF POSITION AND ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION: The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as the key staff officer for the 437th Airlift Wing (AW) and 437th Operations Group (OG) on matters pertaining to Combat Tactics and Aircraft Weapons Systems. Position is responsible for applying the doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures developed at HQ Air Mobility Command (AMC) and elsewhere to subordinate units within 437th AW and 315th Airlift Wing (AW), primarily, but not exclusively, to the flying squadrons. Duties: Develops, plans, directs, and instructs the air combat weapons and tactics used operationally and in exercises and training, ensuring that these tactics meet or exceed HQ AMC and local requirements and expectations. Oversees and maintains the Eastern US regional portion of the DoD Drop Zone and Landing Zone (DZ/LZ) Zone Availability Report (ZAR) database. Single source expert for all Joint Airborne/Air Transportability Training (JA/ATT) "purchases", coordination and mission scheduling for the 437th & 315th Airlift Wings. Directs the review, edit, input, verification and production of computer airlift schedules and mission changes. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Conditions of Employment: United States Air Force Weapons School, Combat Aircrew Tactics Studies/Mobility Electronic Combat Officer Course (CATS/MECOC), Combat Aircrew Tactics Studies (CATS), and/or Mobility Electronic Combat Officer Course (MECOC) graduation is highly desired. May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours and/or Shift work may be required which may include overtime and/or irregular hours. Work hours involve uncommon or flexible hours including nights, weekends, and holidays, as required. In order to meet special or essential unscheduled activities, the incumbent may be required to work an uncommon tour of duty with limited advance notice and/or mandatory unscheduled overtime. This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Testing Program. Illegal use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety. This position is designated as a key position IAW AFI 36-507. Duties of this position are essential to the accomplishment of wartime/contingency operations. Incumbents of key positions must be removed from their military recall status if alternative for filling of the position during an emergency are not available. In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions, Miscellaneous Administration and Program Series 0301. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of a wide range of weapons and tactics concepts, principles, and methodologies applicable to major DoD, Air Force, USTRANSCOM, AMC, 18AF, Air Wing, and Operations Group objectives, mission areas, and programs. The work requires considerable skill in applying this knowledge to plan and accomplish a variety of complex work assignments and/or to identify, analyze, and resolve weapons and tactics issues or problems. This includes qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of program effectiveness or the improvement of complex management processes and systems. The employee must exercise sufficient knowledge of organizational goals and objectives, sequencing and timing of key program events and milestones, and methods of evaluating the worth of program accomplishments. Further, the employee must have considerable skill to plan, organize, and direct team study and to effectively persuade higher headquarters to implement new or modify existing regulations where the proposals involve substantial agency resources, require extensive changes in established procedures, or may be in conflict with the desires of the activity studied. Employee utilizes technical expertise and experience when dealing directly with extremely broad and complex weapons and tactics problems. These problems are further complicated by a wide dispersion of weapons and tactics personnel (absence of co-located offices and work areas) and diverse career fields governed by multiple authorities, policies, and controls. The results of problem research and studies are incorporated into program directives that identify areas for improvement and streamline weapons and tactics concepts, principles, and methodologies for evaluating the effectiveness of joint level programs and services. Employees must have extensive knowledge of the mathematical and engineering methods used in the fields of cartography, geography, and surveying, and the ability to apply this knowledge in practical applications related to air and ground navigation. OR EDUCATION: Successfully completed a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Extensive knowledge of aircraft defensive, airdrop and threat avoidance systems, with emphasis on C-17A Aerial Delivery Systems and their applications in a tactical environment sufficient to ensure maximum aircraft/aircrew survivability in times of peace or war. Knowledge of the unit's mission requirements, tactical airlift/airdrop procedures, combat maneuvers, threat detection and avoidance, use of night vision devices, landing and departing in mountainous terrain, combat assault landings and aerial delivery of personnel/cargo through various means to the degree required to instruct others in those items. Skill in effectively communicating both orally and in writing with Senior Executives, commanders, and other staff members. Skill in using a personal computer to communicate using electronic mail and a variety of software including Portable Flight Planning System (PFPS) and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access and Outlook) to produce reports and briefings. Ability to make instant decisions and recommend courses of action under high stress conditions associated with emergency situations, such as combat or contingency operations, airdrop malfunctions and off-drop zone airdrop investigations. Ability to work with intelligence analysts and other personnel to develop or analyze realistic/challenging tactical training, exercise or real-world contingency mission plans and recommend valid solutions for improvement to those plans to increase aircraft/aircrew survivability. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Additional Information Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.