Summary Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. Responsibilities MISSION/GOALS: GS-13/14: The primary purpose of this position is to: serve as a senior Foreign Affairs Strategist in the Strategy Division (SD),providing anticipatory, strategic perspectives and subject matter expertise on security issues; implementing changes to Department of the Air Force (DAF) policies, strategies, processes, and capabilities; ensuring the DAF is engaging with key countries with strategic intent to advance United States Air Force (USAF), Department of Defense (DoD) and broader US goals for allied and partner collaboration; and driving strategic alignment between the National Defense Strategy (NDS),National Military Strategy (NMS) and USAF operations, activities, and investments. DUTIES GS-13/14 Serves as a senior foreign affairs specialist charged with developing and implementing USAF strategy and policy initiatives to ensure alignment with National Defense Strategy (NDS) and National Military Strategy objectives and intent. Develops Air Force strategies that include how allies and partners contribute to Air Force efforts to meet the NDS requirements. Initiates independent analyses of highly complex strategic policy issues, and implications of broad changes to the international environment and DAF programs. Maintains a continuous liaison with other Air Staff, OSD, Joint Staff, Services, and other DOD offices to ensure informed decision-making by senior Air Force leadership. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (Cont'd): GS-13/14: Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance. Position is designated Special Sensitive and requires eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. A nondisclosure agreement must be signed. This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety. 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, Professional and Scientific Positions, Foreign Affairs Series, 0130. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: EDUCATION: Degree: major or equivalent, or a combination of courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in international law and international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; or 12 semester hours in one of the above disciplines and 12 semester hours in statistics/quantitative methods. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts. OR EXPERIENCE: Four years of appropriate experience in one or more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs. Evaluation of Experience: Qualifying experience may have been through residence, study, teaching, business or commercial activities, military service, newspaper work, military or civil government activities, missionary or international relief work, or other experience in foreign countries. AND In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR GS-13: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 (or higher) grade level or equivalent pay systems (may have been obtained in the federal service, military, or public sector). Which includes mastery/expert knowledge of national security issues to ensure National and Joint objectives are incorporated across Air Force strategies, plans, policies, and processes. Mastery knowledge of the formulation and implementation of foreign policy of the United States in the conduct of the relations, primarily of a political-military nature, of the United States with other governments. Expert knowledge and ability to research and analyze information/situations to provide sound advice and recommendations in support of senior Air Force officials' decision-making. 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-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 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. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR GS-14: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 (or higher) grade level or equivalent pay systems (may have been obtained in the federal service, military, or public sector). Which includes mastery/expert knowledge of national security issues to ensure National and Joint objectives are incorporated across Air Force strategies, plans, policies, and processes. Expert knowledge of the formulation and implementation of foreign policy of the United States in the conduct of the relations, primarily of a political-military nature, of the United States with other governments. Ability to research and analyze information/situations to provide sound advice and recommendations in support of senior Air Force officials' decision-making. 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-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 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: FOR GS-13 / 14 Knowledge of national security issues to ensure National and Joint objectives are incorporated across Air Force strategies, plans, policies, and processes. Knowledge of the formulation and implementation of foreign policy of the United States in the conduct of the relations, primarily of a political-military nature, of the United States with other governments. Skill and ability to research and analyze information/situations to provide sound advice and recommendations in support of senior Air Force officials' decision-making Skill and ability to plan, organize, and direct team study work and to negotiate effectively with other action officers, senior analysts, and management to accept and implement recommendations, 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. Skill and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to justify, defend, present, advocate and/or advise on AF positions including to very senior audiences. Ability to synthesize complex, often competing, information and viewpoints to determine best course of action and advocate recommendations across the Air Staff and broader DoD, and to senior Air Force leaders. 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.
