Military

INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS SPECIALIST

Defense Intelligence Agency · Department of Defense
📍 Quantico, Virginia GG-12 $102,415 - $133,142/yr
Posted: Jul 15, 2026 Deadline: Jul 29, 2026 (Closes in 13 days)

About This Position

We are committed to: Teamwork: Partnering at all levels and across organizational boundaries for mission accomplishment. Integrity: Adherence to the highest legal and ethical principles in our responsibilities. Excellence: Unrivaled defense intelligence expertise. Service: Putting the welfare of the Nation and commitment to our mission before oneself.

Qualifications

ASSESSMENT FACTORS 1. Is flexible and responds in a timely fashion to changing requirements, priorities, and short deadlines.

  1. Works independently to create accurately written, complex products tailored to a specific audience in an easily understandable manner.
  2. Makes informed decisions about work priorities to ensure accurate completion of assignments and projects, and makes adjustments as required.
  3. Applies knowledge of ADDIE and instructional design/delivery methodologies to develop curricula that supports both individual and organizational learning goals.
  4. Seeks opportunities to lead or co-lead a learning project, or team; develops evaluation reports; seeks opportunities to provide status updates to senior officers; develops junior officers to build skill and expertise; and builds different perspectives. HIGHLY DESIRED SKILLS 1. Seeks opportunities to leverage learning technologies.
  5. Identifies and works to eliminate conditions that impede within-team and across-team collaboration and knowledge sharing.
  6. Seeks opportunities to assist with program reviews, audits, and prepares reports for stakeholder consultation; gains expertise in standards for accreditation. Basic Requirements: 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: 1. Learning theory, psychology of learning, educational psychology: Study of learning theories as they relate to the systematic design, development, and validation of instructional material.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.

Major Duties

DIA employs a variety of professionals who serve throughout the workforce to ensure successful operations. To view this position’s duties, click Vacancies to be directed to DIA’s online application system. Please make note of the position title and 6-digit Job Opening ID number to which you are interested. You can scroll to the bottom of the page to locate the announcement or click on the “Advanced Search” link and enter in the 6-digit Job Opening ID number in the “Job Opening ID” field.

Conditions of Employment

All applicants must be U.S. citizens and are subject to a thorough background inquiry.

How You Will Be Evaluated

In order to qualify for this position, your application must include sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the specific position to which you are applying. To view this position’s requirements, click Vacancies to be directed to DIA’s online application system. Please make note of the position title and 6-digit Job Opening ID number to which you are interested.

You can scroll to the bottom of the page to locate the announcement or click on the “Advanced Search” link and enter in the 6-digit Job Opening ID number in the “Job Opening ID” field.

Additional Information

DIA positions are Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) positions in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. All applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application.

Applicants must meet the agency’s conditions of employment, to include, but not limited to, satisfactory completion of an initial special background investigation and periodic reinvestigation, completion of any required medical examination and physical requirements, completion of any required personal interviews, favorable completion of any required initial or aperiodic polygraph examinations, completion of any required drug test, satisfactory completion of a two-year Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System trial period, and completion of a civilian mobility agreement. All employees are required to sign an agreement not to disclose, in any fashion, classified information to unauthorized persons. All civilian employees are required to participate in the DoD Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer of Pay (DD/EFT) Program.

DIA employees and applicants for employment are protected by federal laws, from discrimination. Employees and applicants are also protected against retaliation. Consistent with federal laws, acts of retaliation against an employee who engages in a protected activity, whistle blowing, or the exercise of any appeal or grievance right provided by law, will not be tolerated.

Veterans who are preference-eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

HOW DO I APPLY? Unless specified within the vacancy announcement, you must complete and submit your job application electronically, using DIA's online job tool. Go to: http://www.dia.mil.

Click the link to "Search and Apply for Jobs" or click the link to "Careers" > "Vacancies." Your first visit?

Click "New User" to setup your account.

Click "Search" to view Vacancy Announcements for opportunities that interest you. Save as a Favorite or select the Job Opening to Apply. At the top of the "Job Search" page, click "My Favorite Jobs" to view each announcement. Start the application process by clicking the "Apply" at the bottom of the announcement. While working on the application, "Save" frequently. When you save the document, prior to final submission, you can exit the application and return later to continue by logging-in and going to Job Search > My Activities > Applications with a status of Not Submitted. Finished?

Click "Submit." You must complete and submit the application prior to the closing date listed on the Vacancy Announcement. Final applications are not available for revision. If you need to revise your application, complete and submit another application.

All positions in the Defense Intelligence Agency are in the excepted service under 10 USC 1601 appointment authority and covered by the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS), a General Grade (GG) pay system divided into grades and steps similar to OPM’s General Schedule (GS) compensation system. All candidates must be U.S. citizens and are subject to a thorough background inquiry and any required medical examinations.

Required Documents

Please see instructions within the on-line application for this vacancy announcement on the DIA web-site, www.dia.mil.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS SPECIALIST position at Defense Intelligence Agency?
The salary range for this position is $102,415 - $133,142/yr. This is a GG-12 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS SPECIALIST job located?
This position is located in Quantico, Virginia. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
ASSESSMENT FACTORS 1. Is flexible and responds in a timely fashion to changing requirements, priorities, and short deadlines. 2. Works independently to create accurately written, complex products tailored to a specific audience in an easily understandable manner. 3. Makes informed decisions about work priorities to ensure accurate completion of assignments and projects, and makes adjustments as required. 4. Applies knowledge of ADDIE and instructional design/delivery methodologies to develop curricula that supports both individual and organizational learning goals. 5. Seeks opportunities to lead or co-lead a learning project, or team; develops evaluation reports; seeks opportunities to provide status updates to senior officers; develops junior officers to build skill and expertise; and builds different perspectives. HIGHLY DESIRED SKILLS 1. Seeks opportunities to leverage learning technologies. 2. Identifies and works to eliminate conditions that impede within-team and across-team collaboration and knowledge sharing. 3. Seeks opportunities to assist with program reviews, audits, and prepares reports for stakeholder consultation; gains expertise in standards for accreditation. Basic Requirements: 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: 1. Learning theory, psychology of learning, educational psychology: Study of learning theories as they relate to the systematic design, development, and validation of instructional material. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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.
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Jul 29, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, a Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance is required.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.