Federal

SPACE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Air National Guard Units ยท Department of the Air Force
๐Ÿ“ Vandenberg AFB, California GS-9/11 $71,957 - $113,185/yr
Posted: Feb 10, 2026 Deadline: Mar 3, 2026 (Closes in 16 days days left)

About This Position

This SPACE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST position, is located in an Air National Guard (ANG) Space Operations Squadron and is part of the CA 148 SOPS and 216 SPCS.

Qualifications

General Experience: Possess experience, education or training which provided a general knowledge of principles of organization, management, and administration; Experience compiling reports, letters, memoranda, etc., and required person-to-person contacts to convey information; Experience which demonstrates the ability to provide technical guidance and assistance in the type of work or in comparable work of the position to be filled; Experience using computer and automation systems. SPACE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST, GS-0301-09: Must have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in: providing technical guidance and assistance in the type of work or in comparable work of the position to be filled; Thorough knowledge and understanding of administrative procedures and practices of management; Experience developing administrative procedures. SPACE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST, GS-0301-11: Must have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in: program or managerial experience in a type of work or a combination of functions directly related to the position to be filled or in comparable work or functions; Experience developing and recommending policy; organizing and carrying out specific programs, evaluating and recommending changes in methods of operations; Experience in supervisory, staff or technical work which included study, analysis or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of managerial or administrative policies, practices and procedures; Experience preparing written communications and oral presentations. TRAINEE POSITION: Applicants not meeting full qualifications for the GS-11 position indicated above may be considered for GS-09 trainee, if qualified. Statement-of-Difference of qualification requirements for each are indicated. If appointed as trainee, the selectee may be non-competitively promoted to GS-11 upon meeting full qualifications and recommendations of supervisor. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies: Decision Making Information Management Technical Competence Technology Management

Major Duties

THIS IS A T32 EXCEPTED SERVICE, PERMANENT POSITION The primary purpose of the SPACE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST, GS-0301-9/11, is to provide advanced technical training and instruction for a space operations squadron. Incumbent performs mission execution through a variety of staff functions including Operations, Standardization and Evaluation, Training, and Weapons and Tactics. Assists in testing, experimenting, and developing new methods, processes, and combat tactics to enhance the use of a weapon system, as well as executing all the work of the function. Incumbent provides accurate and timely analysis critical to the effectiveness of unit operations and survivability of unit resources. May make additional selections within 90 days of eligible(s) issuance.

Conditions of Employment

CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED: This is an excepted service position that requires membership in the California National Guard. Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform. Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment. If you are interested in joining the California National Guard, please contact a California National Guard recruiter prior to applying for this position. https://ca.nationalguard.com/california Compatible Military Assignment and Grade are required. Military technicians must be assigned to a military position in the same unit which they are employed or, in a unit that is supported by the employing activity. Military technicians must hold the military grade specified for the position. Priority Areas(s) of Consideration: Priority consideration is first given to the areas below. AREA I= Current California National Guard employees who are serving on a Permanent/Indefinite/Temporary appointment. AREA II= Current California National Guard members. AREA III= Current military members of the Air Force/Army National Guard, Air Force/Army Reserve or Air Force/Army Active Duty. (Applicants who are currently in other Air/Army branches and NOT currently a member of the California National Guard (CNG) must become a member of a compatible unit of assignment within the Air Force CNG commensurate with the military grade listed in this announcement prior to federal assignment). Military Grades: E-1 through E-5 Recruitment/Relocation Recruitment/Relocation Incentive MAY BE authorized, subject to funding and approval. PCS Relocation Costs MAY BE authorized subject to provisions of the Joint Travel Regulation, funding, and an agency determination that a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move is in the Government's best interest. Must maintain appropriate level of security clearance. May be required to successfully complete a one or two year trial period. Must wear appropriate military uniform including required grooming standards. Must maintain a compatible military unit, grade and job assignment as required by current directives. Participation in direct deposit is mandatory. Must be mission-ready qualified in the weapon system and able to serve as an operations crew member providing space effects

Education

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: GS-09: Have a master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work required. GS-11: Have a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work required. When there is a positive education or certification requirement, or you are using education to qualify as a substitution for experience, copies of transcripts (unofficial) and/or certificates are required at the time of application to verify that you meet the educational/certification requirement or substitution. Failure to provide transcripts and/or certificates at the time of application will result in automatic disqualification. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Additional Information

As a condition of employment, new appointees are required to serve a trial period. Individuals who are initially appointed to a permanent or indefinite position in the CMD must complete a one (1) or two (2) year trial period subject to appointment type (DSMT or T5) and veteran's preference. Trial periods for federal excepted service employees are established under 5 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter A-Part 11. MILITARY MEMBERS WITH BONUSES: Upon acceptance of a military technician position military members who are currently receiving a military Reenlistment/Extension Bonus (REB) or GI Bill-SR Kicker may lose incentive eligibility and may be subject to termination or suspension of incentive (includes indefinite and temporary technicians on assignment for more than 180 days in any continuous 12-month period). 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). If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please email [email protected] or Fax to 916-854-3439.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. No changes to the application may be made after the close date of the announcement. 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. 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

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (month/year to month/year or present) of employment and duties performed. 2. Other supporting documents: applicable documents required for qualification, education, or certification as stated above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the SPACE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST position at Air National Guard Units?
The salary range for this position is $71,957 - $113,185/yr. This is a GS-9/11 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the SPACE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST job located?
This position is located in Vandenberg AFB, California. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
General Experience: Possess experience, education or training which provided a general knowledge of principles of organization, management, and administration; Experience compiling reports, letters, memoranda, etc., and required person-to-person contacts to convey information; Experience which demonstrates the ability to provide technical guidan...
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 3, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, a Top Secret clearance is required.
What does GS-9/11 mean?
GS-9/11 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.