AIR OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
About This Position
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information. The primary purpose of this position is to: Provide the United States Air Force a unique capability to plan, organize, coordinate and employ special air operations in support of sensitive, compartmented/special access National Command Authority (NCA) tasking. * Salary ranges includes local market supplements *
Qualifications
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. This is a GS-12 position in the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). The GS-12 duties for the "Professional" work category are at the "Full Performance" work level and are equivalent to those at the GS-12 level.
The selectee's salary will be set within the grade equivalent to a GS/GG grade based on the selectee's qualifications in relation to the job. EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must reflect the quality level of experience which demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance required for this position. Examples of creditable experience include: Knowledge of all aspects of worldwide transportation of passengers and cargo, and possess current personal experience in DOD air activity systems, in-depth experience in aircraft scheduling, operations and mission planning, and experience as a special operations mission planner with thorough knowledge of all aspects of the special air operations missions to include but not limited to fixed-wing-mission/flight planning, communications, air navigation, ground plans, extended twin engine operating procedures (ETOPS), and domestic and international employment operations is required.
Note: Creditable experience may include previous military experience, experience gained in the private sector, or experience gained in another government agency. 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: Knowledge of all aspects of worldwide sensitive air support and employment mission requirements, including fixed wing, ground refueling, air refueling, navigation and offensive/defensive employment operations for air assets. Knowledge of DoD, USAF, and joint special operations doctrine, to include command relationships at the Combatant Command level, administrative protocol, and the relationship between MAJCOMs and other components.
Knowledge of special operations tactics (fixed and rotary wing), techniques, weapons, procedures, and systems for all DoD components as well as Air Force, DoD, and FAA air traffic control regulations, procedures and criteria as it pertains to a special operations environment. Knowledge of assault zone criteria and operation, and aircraft characteristics detailed in AF and MAJCOM regulations, to include non-military and foreign designs. Ability to perform detailed assault zone assessments and land surveys in support of all air missions associated with exercises and/or real world contingency requirements; to include determining landing zone criteria by analyzing terrain and preforming California Bearing Ratio (CBR). (Includes length and width of usable runway surface and incorporates usability for taxi, take-off, and/or ground operations).
Skill in planning, analyzing, coordinating, and evaluating joint special operations air missions through the use of qualitative and quantitative techniques that fully test and measure the effectiveness of operations. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to integrate fixed and/or rotary wing aircraft movements to include mission execution and the development of aircrew mission set-up packages, communications plans, abort options, refueling needs, and mission execution.
Knowledge of developing, implementing, and employing ground and airborne communications systems while conducting training and real world missions. Knowledge of command and control relationships as they relate to sensitive aircraft operations and to accomplish execution checklists for command and control assets. Conditions of Employment Continued: This position is designated special sensitive and the employee must maintain a TOP SECRET (TS) security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
A non-disclosure agreement must be signed. Office portion of work is in a field support setting or traditional office settings in a windowless vault/secure facility with artificial lighting, air conditioning, and heating. Heavy lifting of equipment up to 75 lbs in a field environment on a recurring basis is required.
Significant experience in air traffic control procedures with tactical, airdrop, air to ground call for fires, CAS, and air land knowledge and certification along with night-vision goggle operations is required; a minimum of ten years' experience desired. Employee is subject to work other than normal duty hours, which may change daily due to operational requirements, is subject to after duty hours recall based on operational situations, may be required to carry a pager, phone, or radio during on and off duty time, and must be prepared to travel on short notice. Participation in crisis response cell actions for contingencies or exercises is required.
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.
Major Duties
Manages and performs tactical and administrative air traffic control service and operations for contingency, exercise, and training of assigned aircraft. Coordinates with higher headquarters and MAJCOM in the assessment and selection of assault zones, including landing and drop zones, and forward area refueling point zones, as well as established airfield capabilities for SECDEF directed real world missions and contingencies, training, and exercises. Performs worldwide airfield surveys.
Surveys are conducted on a continuous basis for training and operational missions. Site surveys will be conducted both CONUS and OCONUS IAW AFI 13-217. Acts as commander's representative to support mission taskings.
Performs as liaison for the commander with DoD, AF, Army, Navy, unified commands, FAA, and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Dispatches special air operations worldwide. Plans, coordinates and monitors government flights according to applicable U.S.
Government and international regulations and directives.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.
Additional Information
Important Overseas Information: Applicants interested in applying for overseas locations please click here to review important information regarding the exceptional family member program. 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. Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position. 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. 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. Selectees who physically reside permanently in the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during the entire recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) and selected for employment in the foreign area are eligible to receive certain foreign area benefits such as: Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) or government quarters, Post Allowance, Home Leave, etc. (subject to approval) Selectees who physically reside outside the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during any step of the recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) will have foreign area benefits eligibility be determined on a case by case basis.
How to Apply
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/11/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12889436 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.
Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1.
Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors.
Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present).
If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09.
Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy.
Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume.
- A complete Application Questionnaire
- Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name.
- Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here.
- Return Rights: Per AFI 36-1101 - DCIPS employees have no statutory right of return to the previous position, unit, or geographic location. PLEASE
NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date.
You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.
Required Documents
The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming.
Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming. Online Application: Questionnaire Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts.
You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply". Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy/copies of your last or most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1". Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2".
Promotion Consideration: If you wish to be considered as a promotion candidate and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirements.
You will need to provide additional SF-50s which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-Grade, Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old). OCONUS - Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" and block 34 must be a"1". Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2".
NOTE: For OCONUS employees who claim eligibility MSP or Family Member Preference, your SF-50 may contain a "3" in block 24 and a "2" in block
- OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS: Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Awards for Current Federal Civilian employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume.
Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s).