INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS SPECIALIST

Summary This position is covered under the Federal Excepted Service under Title 10 United States Code, Section 1746 and Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations Schedule A, Section 213.3106(h). Responsibilities Performs the following duties in support of Warfighting Acquisition University learning assets and training environment: 1. Analysis & Requirements Definition - Conducts needs assessments, front-end analyses, and job/occupational analyses to determine training gaps and performance requirements. - Collaborates with Learning Directors (LDs), Program Managers (PMs), SMEs, and stakeholders to finalize requirements, learning outcomes, and solution recommendations. 2. Instructional Design & Learning Architecture - Leads the design of learning for assigned courses, credentials, or micro-learning assets. - Develops Design Documents including, Learning objectives and outcomes, Assessment strategies, Bloom's level alignment, Minimum content coverage requirements, Performance-based learning approaches, Visual and instructional design principles. - Advises on instructional material formats, delivery modes, and technology selection. - Ensures adherence to adult learning principles, accessibility requirements, and Warfighting Acquisition University quality standards. 3. Instructional Material Development - Develops, reviews, or revises instructional materials such as storyboards, lesson plans, facilitator guides, eLearning modules, multimedia scripts, and learner resources. - Designs or specifies training aids, simulations, job aids, and technology-enhanced learning tools. 4. Contractor Oversight & Quality Assurance - Evaluates deliverables from contractor ISDs using checklists, rubrics, and documented change requests. - Reviews contractor-developed: Design Documents, Multimedia products, Accessibility components, Support materials, storyboards, and test items. 5. Assessment, Test & Measurement - Develops or reviews objective tests, performance assessments, rubrics, and evaluation instruments. - Ensures assessments are valid, reliable, and aligned with performance requirements. - Supports assessment strategy development across learning assets and credentials. Perform all other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications You must meet the minimum qualification requirements as stated in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, This position has a positive education requirement. You must submit proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position. To qualify for this position you must meet one of the basic requirements described below: Degree: that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours appropriate to the work of the position to be filled. The course work must have included study in at least four of the following five areas: Learning theory, psychology of learning, educational psychology: Study of learning theories as they relate to the systematic design, development, and validation of instructional material. Instructional design practices: Study of the principles and techniques used in designing training programs, developing design strategy and models, and applying design methods to the improvement of instructional effectiveness. Educational evaluation: Study of the techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of instructional/educational programs, including developing written and performance tests and survey instruments, and determining reliability and validity of evaluation instruments. Instructional product development: Study of the techniques appropriate for developing training materials, including identifying learner characteristics, specifying objectives, applying training strategy, validating training materials, and evaluating training. Computers in education and training: Study of the application of computers in education and training, including selecting appropriate computer software. Some positions in this series may specialize in one or two functional areas, where more specific academic preparation may be necessary. For such positions, agencies may require course work in the applicable functional area(s) as part of the above-required 24 semester hours. Please reference the Education section of this announcement to review the Warfighting Acquisition University Faculty Pay Band Minimum Education and Specialized Experience Requirements To qualify for this position at a respective band/grade level, you must demonstrate in your resume/application that you possess the required years of specialized experience one band/grade-level lower (or equivalent) to include having specialized experience directly relating to the specific duties of the position, and demonstrate that you have the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience areas include, but are not limited to, curriculum development, instructional design, creating or delivering adult education, creating or conducting corporate training, managing or supporting the selection and implementation of learning systems, conducting job/task or other performance needs analysis, creating program or product evaluation tools, or supporting program or product evaluation activities. Experience using instructional design theories, models, practices, and methodologies; determining media selection and development practices for training environments; choosing appropriate learning and instructional technologies and deciding application for training environments; Evaluating learning and development services, programs, and products Highly Desired: Experience developing learning assets for the Department of War or other Federal Government organizations using the currently accepted methodology(s) for Instructional Systems Design. 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 WarU Faculty Pay Band Minimum Education and Specialized Experience Requirements: WarU Pay Band A (AD-11) (Equivalent to a GS-09 through GS-13 General Schedule grade equivalency): Minimum Education and Specialized Experience: Basic requirements for Band A include a minimum of a Bachelor level degree and up to four years of experience in the appropriate functional area. Please note: Technical certifications and/or experience may be approved by the WarU Chief of Staff (delegated from the WarU President) to meet the needs of the University. ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? If the position you are applying for has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with your 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 This position is in the Excepted Service. For more information regarding Excepted Service employment please visit: If you are a current Federal civilian employee in the Federal Competitive Service, if selected, you must sign a statement of understanding acknowledging you are transitioning from the Federal Competitive Service to the Federal Excepted Service. Initial appointment is made for a period of three years, conditional upon satisfactory completion of a WarU probationary period of two years. At the one year mark, as part of an annual review, consideration is given to extending the appointment; thus at any one time moving beyond that point an employee will have two years remaining. WarU employees enjoy flexible work schedules and transit subsidy. At the supervisor's discretion. WarU participates in e-Verify with the Department of Homeland Security and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. If selected for this position, you must be able to start employment within 30 days of acceptance (unless otherwise approved by WarU). Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. Accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 2-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoW Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.