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INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
Air Education and Training Command
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/16/2025 to 11/19/2025
Salary
$88,621 to - $115,213 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Maxwell AFB, AL
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
9Z-AFPC-12802785-963625-RTC
Control number
846139200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Permanent Department of Air Force employees currently assigned to AETC.

Duties

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Summary:

The primary purpose of this position is to lead working groups and/or execute operations-focused projects to ensure Air University senior leadership and decision makers have the information and analysis they need to make evidence-based decisions for AU. Additionally, the incumbent serves as the director of Air University long-range and operational/mission planning. Employee assists in other planning matters, to include the Air University Strategic Plan, at the discretion of the Operations Director. The incumbent oversees the activities of AU's planning function related to the quality and effectiveness of AU academic programs. Responsible for formulating program goals, plans, and policies to develop, monitor, and sustain the Air Force Learning. Provides academic advice to ensure that programs meet Air Force, Joint, and regional requirements. Reports to the Chief of A3 Operations (AU/A3O).

Duties:

  • Operations Manager. Leads working groups and executes operations-focused projects to ensure the AU commander, senior staff, and school/center commanders, commandants and deans have the situational awareness, data, metrics and rigorous analysis required to make evidence-based decisions to execute AU missions.
  • Directs Operational/Mission Planning. Develops, authors, coordinates, publishes and revises Air University operational plans that execute AETC/AU mission areas and functions; pinpoints deficiencies, and provides solutions to overcome deficiencies.
  • Assists in Strategic Planning. Recognized as an authoritative consultant/assistant for Educational Strategic Planning for the Air Force, AETC and Air University.
  • Manages the Air University Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)/Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Program.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
  • Incumbent may be required to travel via commercial or military transportation.
  • This position is only open to Permanent Department of Air Force employees assigned to AETC.
  • Position is Centrally Managed

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 Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions, to include the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the 1750, Instructional Systems Series.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: 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. NOTE: You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts.

AND
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of a wide range of professional concepts, principles, methods, techniques, and practices of one or more specialties of the instructional systems field as well as of learning theory, gained through extended study, experience, and maintained currency with developing trends in the field of learning. Comprehensive knowledge of a wide variety of instructional development methods sufficient to conduct analysis to determine the requirements for revision of existing instructional systems or development of new training programs. Comprehensive knowledge of an extensive variety of instructional program planning methods and techniques sufficient to plan total support, i.e., personnel, equipment, facilities, budget, and other resource requirements. Skill in conferring with curriculum designers, course writers, instructors, and subject-matter specialists to coordinate system analysis leading to producing training support equipment, such as simulators, test equipment, and mock ups. Skill in applying this knowledge to difficult and complex work assignments which frequently involve matters that are controversial, unconventional, or novel.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

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:

1. Professional knowledge of learning theory and the principles, methods, practices and techniques of the instructional systems field to administer, advise on, design, develop, or provide educational or training services in formal training programs.

2. Knowledge of laws, policies, doctrines, directives, and precedents sufficient to effectively plan for AETC and AU command requirements and programs, and ensure compliance with those guidelines. Knowledge of DOD/Air Force planning and programming requirements, analysis models and techniques; acquisition managements; and Planning, Programming, Budgeting System {PPBS).

3. Technical knowledge reflecting a very broad understanding of institutional effectiveness and institutional research, mission planning, and strategic planning needs of AETC's training and education missions.

4. In-depth University-level knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of instruction, evaluation, accreditation, and of technology-enhanced methods for curriculum development and delivery.

5. Ability to design valid and reliable data collection instruments that yield appropriate quantitative and qualitative data to analyze and document effective strategic program management.

6. Ability to execute collaborative projects with senior-level (e.g., SecDef, CSAF, University Presidents, CEOs) partners. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing at the executive level.

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.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

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.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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.

BASIS OF RATING:
Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

The resume/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.

For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

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.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

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