MISSION PLANNING 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 manager / executive candidate; 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 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements to include Air Force application of NEPA through the Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP); 2) Knowledge of the techniques and philosophy of comprehensive planning to include urban/regional planning techniques, Air Force policy, HAF, AFIMSC and MAJCOM requirements, and the local physical assets and restrictions regarding the comprehensive plan is necessary to analyze the impacts to planned mission beddown and changes at targeted installations; 3) Mastery of portfolio management principles, the application of resources, and Air Force and DoW theories, policies, directives, and procedures in centralized Civil Engineer program management; 4) Comprehensive knowledge of a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of portfolio effectiveness; 5) Extensive knowledge and skills in analyzing and resolving conflicts in policy and program objectives and/or problems in very complex or controversial transactions involving complex negotiations; 6) Extensive knowledge of long-term, strategic planning practices and strategies sufficient to provide guidance to other DoW agencies; 7) Skill as a technical authority applying new theories and standards to problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted and established realty practices and procedures; and 8) Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, providing expert advice to senior officials and colleagues responsible for broad program operations.
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 current U.S. environmental laws and regulations, DoW, and AF instructions, policies, directives, and applicable agreements; professional knowledge of new applications or developments in environmental programs to provide expert level support or advice.
Knowledge of Air Force programming, budget, and funding processes and ability to forecast, develop, and evaluate resource requirements pertaining to environmental programs. Knowledge of principles, concepts and techniques of installation and infrastructure planning activities and civil engineering missions, policies, and objectives. Skill in evaluating state-of-the-art scientific and engineering technologies and incorporating into the planning, design, operation, maintenance, repair and upgrade of installation facilities, infrastructure, and base operating support.
Knowledge of construction and service contracting procedures relevant to executing environmental and planning related contracts. Skill in communicating ideas virtually, orally, in writing, or by means of sketches drawings and other computer software tools (i.e. CADD, GIS), with senior officials from a broad array of activities, including federal and local government, and industry.
Major Duties
DUTY 1: Performs Career Broadening assignments, include reviews and coordinates analysis and document preparation for implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. Studies, interprets, and ensures application of sound Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP) in accordance with NEPA, DoD, U.S. Air Force, 32 CFR 989, and other federal, state and local agency laws, regulations, and policies.
Facilitates reviews to help ensure required environmental planning documents comply with Federal laws such as the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, National Forest Management Act, Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act. Interprets policy guidelines and develops innovative approaches to solve unique and complex problems where there is conflict or contradictions to applicable criteria. Develops estimates and advocates for resources required to fund and manage Environmental Impact Studies (EIS), Environmental Assessments (EA), and Environmental Baseline Surveys (EBS).
DUTY 2: As a Career Broadener, assignments are to collect, interpret, and analyze installation data to facilitate weapon systems beddown, mission realignment, and mission changes that are holistic in nature and are considerable in scope, including base operating support activities. Collaborates with MAJCOM, AFIMSC, HAF, installation personnel, and AFCEC functionals to collect and analyze installation data, specifically mission and support infrastructure, across the MAJCOM enterprise, critical to new mission beddown, mission realignment, airspace requirements, or significant mission changes. Advises MAJCOM, AFIMSC, HAF representatives, and installation personnel on the threshold for the SAF/IEI strategic basing process.
Exercises technical expertise in providing the leadership, management, and technical inputs required to support MAJCOM-led basing and beddown processes. DUTY 3: Reviews and analyses prepared program documentation supporting the Program Objective Memorandum (POM), Future Year Development Plan (FYDP), and budget submissions for assigned assets to determine if projections are accurate and overall asset performance is being achieved as projected. Responsible for reviewing relevant data, coordinating actions and plans, and performing the analysis of current and future missions objectives, and requirements, evaluating alternative methods to accomplish objectives, and advising on the allocation of resources for assigned programs.
Analyzes and evaluates changes in critical areas of development, deployment, or implementation; and the effect of changes on the POM, FYDP, Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution System (PPBES) cycles and budget submissions. The POM covers the FYDP and presents the Services and Defense Agencies recommendations on balancing the allocation of available resources. DUTY 4: In a Career Broadening capacity, serves on teams and working groups composed of various functional disciplines engaged in developing and recommending proposals and implementation plans associated with weapon system beddowns, mission realignment and change.
Establishes, develops, and maintains effective working relationships with mission owners, functional representatives and subject matter experts. Provides technical and functional representation on SATAF, SAVs, and other investigative collaboration efforts across MAJCOM, AFIMSC, HAF, SAF AFCEC, and installation functionals. Delivers presentations on status of mission and environmental planning to senior leaders.
Participates in special studies to determine appropriate recommendations for unresolved or questionable problems related to mission and environmental planning. Recommends fiscally responsible actions or interpretation of policy in order to achieve mission objectives to interdisciplinary teams. DUTY 5: As a Career Broadener, manages and integrates authoritative facility management and related data in authoritative data systems for program analysis.
Uses computers/computer software such as information management programs, Sustainment Management Systems (SMS), Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) programs, and project tracking programs to solve facility and facility space management problems and facilitate optimal utilization rates. Demonstrates use of available tools to conduct data collection and field surveys. Interprets data collection results and projects the influence of these elements on the solution and recommended corrective action based upon field conditions, standards, and strategy goals.
Performs quantitative data analysis to describe facility space optimization challenges such as condition, configuration, orientation, and location. Demonstrates knowledge of available tools and participates in training to fill knowledge gaps and develop survey capabilities. Generates reports with takeaways from data findings to include process improvements for conducting field surveys.
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 06/04/2026. To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12966080 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).