EXECUTIVE SUPPORT SPECIALIST
About This Position
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to provide developmental experience designed to broaden the skills and/or enhance the leadership perspective of an identified high-potential, mid-level manager/executive while contributing support to the mission and function of the AF. It is not a continuing position and assignment duration is NTE 36 months.
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, Administrative and Management Positions. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization and must have included: 1) Knowledge of a wide range of principles, practices, and quantitative and qualitative evaluative techniques used in program analysis to identify, evaluate, resolve, and present issues or problems to isolate discrepancies or identify trends that impact organizational mission objectives both operationally and strategically; 2) Knowledge of analytical and evaluative methods and techniques as well as measurement of data to plan, schedule, and conduct projects and studies to evaluate and recommend ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of program operations to include adapting or developing new or modified methods; 3) Knowledge of and skill in designing and conduct comprehensive studies and developing solutions to broad operational and contingency areas; 4) Knowledge of the Air Force, Military Health Systems and Air Force Medical Service organizational structures to effectively implement policy and develop guidance, standards, and procedures that affect military and civilian personnel; 5) Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting data is sufficient to arrive at valid, supportable conclusions and to offer meaningful recommendations; 6) Skill in planning and independently managing short and long-term projects and to cultivate and sustain positive working relationships to project completion; and 7) Ability to communicate effectively with tact and diplomacy to advocate command positions and build successful cross-functional teams; to logically and effectively explain programs, functions, and activities and gain understanding of the organization's efforts.
FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Applicants must have served at least 52 weeks at the GS-12 or higher grade (or equivalent in an alternate pay system) within the Federal Civil Service to be considered for referral. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. 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 a wide range of principles, practices, and quantitative and qualitative evaluative techniques used in program analysis to identify, evaluate, resolve, and present issues or problems to isolate discrepancies or identify trends that impact organizational mission objectives both operationally and strategically.
Knowledge of analytical and evaluative methods and techniques as well as measurement of data to plan, schedule, and conduct projects and studies to evaluate and recommend ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of program operations to include adapting or developing new or modified methods. Knowledge of and skill in designing and conducting comprehensive studies and developing solutions to broad operational and contingency areas. Knowledge of the Air Force, Military Health Systems and Air Force Medical Service organizational structures to effectively implement policy and develop guidance, standards, and procedures that affect military and civilian personnel.
Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting data sufficient to arrive at valid, supportable conclusions and to offer meaningful recommendations. Skill in planning and independently managing short and long-term projects and to cultivate and sustain positive working relationships to project completion. Ability to communicate effectively with tact and diplomacy to advocate command positions and build successful cross-functional teams; to logically and effectively explain programs, functions, and activities and gain understanding of the organization's efforts.
Major Duties
DUTY 1: Executes career broadening rotational assignments aligned with the NAF-equivalent commander's priorities, defining key issues, formulating strategies, and guiding senior leadership on recommended courses of action for a wide variety of topics related to MRC functions. Functions as a project lead for rotational assignments, spearheading initiatives that streamline command operations. Proposes, institutes, and evaluates policies, procedures, and mission objectives to eliminate barriers to mission accomplishment.
Engineers innovative solutions and oversees studies to resolve issues impacting the command. Drives proactive communication and collaboration across directorates and with external partners (e.g., HAF/SG, HQ AFMEDCOM, DHA, other Federal agencies) to ensure effective information flow and resource management. Shapes the development of plans, objectives, policies, priorities, and procedures to guarantee the implementation and institutionalization of command-wide initiatives.
Implements strategic planning and assessment of management issues and initiatives, including the ongoing evaluation of overall unit performance, achievements, and effectiveness in relation to the Commander's initiatives. DUTY 2: Directs executive-level Task Management and workflow for the NAF-equivalent commander and senior leadership. Orchestrates the evaluation of higher-level taskings, executing high-level, time-sensitive staff actions and determining the optimal course of action.
Serves as the primary liaison within the command and to higher headquarters, guaranteeing the appropriate delegation of issues and directing actions to the responsible functions with clear guidance. Continuously monitors issues impeding the command mission, analyzes problem areas, and prescribes definitive corrective actions. Tracks policy decisions from higher agencies, disseminating strategic guidance on policies, plans, and programs.
Mandates the timely and accurate submission of all background information and data required by the Commander. Articulates the organization's policy to higher headquarters to spearhead the resolution of day-to-day DoD or AF enterprise issues. Evaluates complex issues and, based on an expert understanding of functional assignments and organizational structure, delegates actions to the appropriate entities with precise direction on response requirements and cross-functional coordination.
DUTY 3: In a career broadening capacity, orchestrates high-level strategic and operational support for the NAF-equivalent commander and senior leadership. Leads a combination of executive staff coordination and project management to spearhead command-wide initiatives and optimize organizational effectiveness. Through a series of career-broadening rotational assignments among the MRC directorates, this individual will scrutinize critical issues, oversee time-sensitive staff actions, and direct projects aimed at process development, improvement, and standardization.
This position functions as a key integrator, guaranteeing alignment between strategic goals, daily operations, and long-range planning. Defines key issues, formulates strategies, and guides senior leadership on courses of action across a broad variety of topics. Evaluates program effectiveness, monitors performance, and delivers actionable recommendations required for executive decision-making.
Directs research, synthesizes background information, and issues critical recommendations on matters of importance to senior leadership. Delivers direct counsel to command leadership on significant issues and crafts talking points for senior leaders.
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. APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.
Additional Information
PCS restrictions: An employee selected to make a PCS to a Career Broadening assignment is restricted from making a second PCS for 12 months. Defense National Relocation Program may or may not be authorized. 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.
How to Apply
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/09/2026. To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12968920 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. 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". 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". 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). OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS: Transcripts/Registration/License 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).