About This Position
THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION. This National Guard position is for a IT SPECIALIST (PLCYPLN), Position Description Number PDT5718P01 and is part of the MA ANG 104th FW, National Guard. This is a Bargaining Unit position. The unit point of contact and contact phone for this position is: SMSgt Andrew Fredette at email [email protected].
Qualifications
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Nationwide - Open to all US Citizens GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Must have experience, education or training which has provided a basic knowledge of data processing functions and general management principles that enabled the applicant to understand the stages required to automate a work process. Experience may have been gained in work such as computer operator or assistant, computer sales representative, program analyst, or other positions that required the use or adaptation of computer programs and systems. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Must have at least 1-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade which includes experience, education, or training that approaches techniques and requirements appropriate to an assigned computer applications area or computer specialty area in an organization. Experience planning the sequence of actions necessary to accomplish the assignment where this entailed coordination with others outside the organizational unit and development of project controls. Experience that required adaptations of guidelines or precedents to meet the needs of the assignment. Experience preparing documentation on cost/benefit studies where is involved summarizing the material and organizing it in a logical fashion. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3. full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree 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 months/years. 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
Performs studies and independently establish plans for improving the efficiency of information technology and communications processes. Performs studies of all aspects of the installation's information technology and communications programs, processes, and methods. Evaluates existing systems and capabilities and initiates feasibility studies to determine ways and means necessary to enhance mission performance. From those studies, derive cost benefits and /or required investment and recommends a best course of action along with proposed alternatives. Evaluates the impact emerging technology will have on organization capabilities, customer needs, and mission readiness, while considering the organization's resources. Develops short and long range plans designed to meet changing IT needs of the organization. Prepares justification to facilitate the prioritizing of current and future funding to support IT enhancements. Prepares documentation and briefs management officials on specifics of requirements, both hardware and software, and outlines procedures to obtain and organize enhancements. Produces system and program specifications and coordinates milestones, processing steps, program layouts, and interrelationships with management and other specialists of the IT Team. Establishes methods necessary to integrate new technology into existing architecture identifying conflicting system interface problems, and developing solutions.(25%) 2. Interprets a variety of technical requirements making independent judgments to determine organizational compliance with applicable instructions, procedures and practices. Audits IT programs, processes and projects. Continually assesses policy needs and interprets broad DoD, AF, and other higher headquarters guidance and applies it through development of policies for the area of responsibility. Establishes metrics to measure and evaluate systems and process performance, identifying workforce planning and management issues, e.g., proficiency, retention, and training. Provides organization management with factual, objective assessments of the unit's ability to perform the mission, ensuring the rigorous application of information security/information assurance policies, principles, and practices in the delivery of analysis services. Accomplishes needs analysis and feasibility studies of IT operations, consulting with process owners to specify requirements, and define opportunities to improve business processes. Provides management with information needed for direction of programs to include reports identifying limiting factors, opportunities, and availability of assets.(20%) 3. Evaluates mission effectiveness, using standardized and locally developed evaluation programs and processes. Manages the scheduling and accomplishment of managerial, personnel, technical and special evaluations. Collectively evaluates management effectiveness, performance and technical proficiency of assigned personnel, equipment, and systems condition. Coordinates and/or conducts management studies of organization, staffing, work measurement, methods, or procedures. Monitors unit standardization/evaluation programs ensuring adherence to applicable directives. Responsible for ensuring military duty position standards are established. Defines metrics and measures progress toward accomplishment of unit plans, programs, goals, and objectives.(20%) 4. Advises supervisors and managers on the evaluation of programs, policies, regulatory requirements, and procedures. Recommends the establishment of quantity or quality criterion. Develops baseline for use in measuring and analyzing organizational productivity and effectiveness. Develops process, management, administrative and technical evaluation plans for implementation. Notes deficiencies, identifies necessary resources, and recommends corrective actions. Reviews work processes to ascertain where procedures can be combined, distributed, or simplified to increase productivity, efficiency, or effectiveness. Recommends internal reporting and status tracking procedures to ensure adequate control in terms of deadlines, progress reports, and follow-up reports. Manages the evaluation program to ensure required actions are tracked and completed. Prepares and maintains files and publications IAW current directives to include both paper and electronic media.(15%) 5. Coordinates with HHQ elements, Program Management Offices, Specific System/Hardware Support Elements, OEM Vendors and Vendor Contracted support facilities for issue resolution. Research includes using various means and media to obtain needed information to accomplish the task. May require the use of various stand alone (e.g., paper based, CD, DVD, etc.) or on-line (network or web based) (10%) Performs other duties as assigned. The above duty description does not contain all details of the official position description. For more details, please contact the POC listed above.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Once the application process is complete, a review of resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.
Additional Information
If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx). To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine. Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 An employee of an agency may not request, in oral or written form, that an applicant for an appointment to a position in the civil service disclose criminal history record information regarding the applicant before the appointing authority extends a conditional offer to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint, or any other information, to an agency within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance by an employee of an agency. To file a complaint please click this link and scroll to the bottom of the page for more information.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12875109 A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. IMPORTANT: Your resume cannot exceed 2 pages. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Required Documents
Resume must be submitted with the following information: Your name and contact information. Work Experience section of your resume must include: Name of the organization you worked at. Job title you held at the organization. Start and end dates for the position (dates must have month and year). Bulleted statements regarding duties you performed in the position. Be clear and concise in stating your duties, we will not make any assumptions regarding your experience. Your bulleted statements should reflect that you have the required specialized experience described in this announcement. If your position was in the civil service, include the grade and series for the position. If applicable, include TRADITIONAL GUARDSMEN experience. Enter your MOS, bulleted statements of duties, and start and end dates (dates must have month and year). Education and certificates if applicable. Include name of school, degree, or certificate, start and end dates. Part-Time, unpaid, volunteer work if applicable. Include duties and responsibilities and start and end dates (dates must have month and year) IMPORTANT: Resumes that exceed 2 pages cannot be considered. For additional information regarding resume requirements visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit Unofficial Transcripts - If used to qualify (An official transcript may be required before being hired.) Veteran's Preference - If applicable and claiming Veteran's Preference, you must upload documentation to support your Veteran's Preference claim to include your DD-214 indicating the type of discharge. If claiming Veteran's Preference for a disability, you must submit a VA Disability letter and SF-15 supporting your disability claim. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicants - If claiming PPP status you must submit required documentation as stated below: DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians: A copy of the "Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist" and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as the notification letter you received showing you are no longer eligible for military or NG membership (through no fault of your own) and that you have completed at least 15 years of technician service and a minimum of 20 years of service creditable for non-regular retirement. Priority Placement Program DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Preference Eligible Technician Receiving Disability Retirement: A copy of the "Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist" and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as the notification letter you received that states you are no longer eligible for Reserve membership due to a service-connected disability. Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible: A copy of the "Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist" and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as a RIF change-to-lower-grade notice, and an SF-50 reflecting your RIF change to lower grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the IT SPECIALIST (PLCYPLN) position at Air National Guard Units?
The salary range for this position is $84,260 - $109,545/yr. This is a GS-11 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the IT SPECIALIST (PLCYPLN) job located?
This position is located in Westfield, Massachusetts. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Nationwide - Open to all US Citizens GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Must have experience, education or training which has provided a basic knowledge of data processing functions and general management principles that enabled the applicant to understand the stages required to automate a work process. Experience may have been gained in...
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 Mar 15, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, a Top Secret clearance is required.
What does GS-11 mean?
GS-11 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
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.