Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from U.S. Citizens (U.S. citizenship required at time of application).

(Research)

• The primary role of a Research Assistant (RA) is to provide assistance to a faculty mentor to enhance the value and effectiveness of AFIT sponsored research, which feeds and enhances AFIT graduate education and coursework.
• RA duties will generally include activities directly supporting sponsored research including, but not limited to: maintaining labs, equipment, hardware, and software; literature reviews; collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; adapting existing equipment to support new research; and developing research products such as papers, presentations, and code that support sponsored research deliverables.
• RAs work under the close supervision of an experienced graduate faculty member, and the association is meant to be collegial and educational. In consultation with the supervisor, the RA works to gain research skills and to enhance his/her grasp of the essentials of the academic discipline, the conduct of research, the role and responsibilities of a faculty member, and the role of technology in support of the Air Force. RAs will perform duties consistent with their prior academic preparation and experience.

(Teaching)

• The primary duty of a Teaching Assistant (TA) is to provide teaching assistance to the instructor of record in the classroom, which cannot be classified as routine clerical work, to enhance the value and effectiveness of AFIT graduate education.
• TA duties will generally include coordinating courses, assisting with classroom discussions, supporting in-classroom activities, recommending grades on homework and exams, conducting review and assistance sessions, assisting with classroom management (e.g. attending classes, taking notes, taking attendance, proctoring exams, and corresponding with class members), setting up labs, developing supporting course material, and other relevant duties as assigned.
• TAs with at least a MS/ME may also deliver lessons under controlled conditions (e.g., with the instructor of record present), prepare lecture materials, and assist in the development of homework and exams. TAs will work under the close supervision of an experienced instructor of record for each course, and the association is meant to be collegial and educational. In consultation with the instructor of record, the TA works to gain instructional skills and to enhance his/her grasp of the essentials of the academic discipline, the role and responsibilities of a faculty member, and the role of technology in support of the Air Force.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• The selected candidate will be subject to a security investigation leading to successful completion of a background investigation with a favorable adjudication.
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov.
• Initial appointment is under Schedule A appointing authority, Excepted Appointment Not-to-Exceed 366 days
• At the time of the expiration of the initial appointment an employee who adequately demonstrates professional competence can be extended in increments up to 3 years or for an indefinite period.
• Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays
• Employee must maintain current certifications
• Incumbent may be subject to serve a one-year trial period.
• Candidates are not required to have active duty service or veterans' preference to be referred and considered. All qualified candidates who meet the recruitment assessment criteria will be referred to the selecting official.
• Essential qualities expected of every faculty member include the personal attributes of integrity, industry, cooperation, initiative, and breadth of intellectual interests.
• Travel by military or commercial transportation to gather ideas for improving the curriculum, establish research contacts and agreements, conduct research, and present results of research may be required.
• An initial appointment can be allowed to expire for an employee who does not adequately demonstrate professional competence.
• The appointment cannot be converted to a permanent tenure in the competitive service.
• Current Federal employees on a permanent or indefinite appointment will be required to have a minimum of 3 day break in service if selected.
• Recruitment and/or retention incentives may be offered
• Travel and relocation expenses WILL NOT be paid
• Work may require travel away from the normal duty station on military and commercial aircraft
• This position meets the professional exemption criteria for the Fair Labor Stands Act (5 CFR 551.207)

Qualifications

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT CONTINUED

• This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service. This is an Administratively Determined position in the excepted service.
• This announcement is open until 31-DEC-2025 and may be used to fill like vacancies for 180 days after the closing date. Applicants will be referred every 30 days to management until the closing date.
• All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
• Possible follow-on assignment across the U.S. at the following Bases:
  • Hill AFB, UT
  • Kirtland AFB, NM
  • Patrick SFB, FL
  • Hanscom AFB, MA
  • Tinker AFB, OK

QUALIFICATIONS

• Candidates must be a U.S. citizen with a relevant technical undergraduate degree in science or engineering disciplines which include but not limited to the following occupational series: 04XX, 08XX, 13XX or 15XX series from an accredited institution by the time employment begins and in rare cases, those with equivalent experience, education and professional recognition. General Schedule Qualification Standards (opm.gov)
• The ability to write programs in Python, Java, C++, or other higher-level languages and/or computational packages such as Matlab or Mathematica, and plotting packages for data processing and presentation is highly desired.
• Possess the ability to communicate clearly and expertly (in English) in both verbal and written forms concerning academic, administrative, and technical subject matters is required.

This is an open continuous announcement and will be used to fill vacancies as openings occur. To receive consideration for vacancies, applicants must submit complete applications prior to the established cut-off date(s). Application initial cut-off date is 6 Feb 2025 and every 30 days thereafter. You are encouraged to apply as early as possible. This announcement will remain open until the closing date indicated; however, those who apply after the cut-off date will be considered for referral to the hiring manager only if no selection is made from the initial group or if additional vacancies occur and the initial referral list yielded an insufficient number of candidates. If you make corrections and resubmit your application, the date the application is last submitted will be used to determine those who are considered to have met the cut-off date.


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 hours per week.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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.

Applicants possessing the required qualifications as contained within this announcement will be evaluated and ranked by a Faculty-Rating Panel based on the extent to which their experience and education relate to the requirements of the position. A personal interview and presentation to the faculty may be required of the top applicants.

Applicants will be assessed based on their teaching credentials, scholarship, service, and education. Your application package (curriculum vitae, OFFICIAL transcripts, supporting documents, etc.) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. An incomplete package will result in non-consideration of your application.

Interested persons should submit a curriculum vitae and a statement of interest that addresses the ways in which the applicant's qualifications meet the requirements of the ad to include evidence of teaching excellence and promise of research productivity. Additional documents are required to complete your application package, please reference the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" section for more information.

Applications who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.