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PROTOCOL SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
U.S. Northern 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.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as Protocol Advisor and Conference Coordinator for the Protocol Office of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a bi-national Command, and United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM).

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/26/2025 to 12/03/2025
Salary
$75,890 to - $98,653 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Peterson AFB, CO
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
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
6X-AFPC-12841547-018012-NMB
Control number
851015900

Duties

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  • Conceptualizes, plans, coordinates, and executes protocol aspects of various types of events hosted by the Commander, the Canadian NORAD Deputy Commander, or the US Deputy Commander of USNORTHCOM, involving distinguished US and Foreign civilian and military attendees.
  • Provides advice and assistance to team members and serves as the knowledgeable source of information about protocol related activities, requirements. Trains and advises tasked project/action officers (normally at field grade level) in planning and coordinating a comprehensive range of DV events to include visits, changes of command, conferences, promotions, retirements, awards and other ceremonies.
  • Decongests and tracks a heavy schedule of visitors, updating and integrating all changes, modifying schedules/read ahead's and briefing Command senior leadership accordingly. Coordinates and oversees support provided by enlisted aides or contracted catering facility and all related requirements.

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 posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • This position is obligated to the former incumbent and has return rights to this position under 10 U.S.C. 1586
  • Travel by regularly scheduled commercial or military conveyance in accordance with Joint Travel Regulations may be required in performance of temporary duty (TDY)
  • Employee may be required to work and/or be "on call" after normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends or holidays
  • Employee will be required to attend periodic command and/or civic related social functions and related events after normal duty hours
  • In the performance of assigned duties, employee uses tact, diplomacy, and professionalism to promote effective working relationships with a variety of offices and agencies
  • This position has been designated as Critical Sensitive. The employee is required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance as a condition of employment
  • This position is designated by the Air Force as a Test Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. As a mandatory requirement for employment in this TDP
  • The incumbent is (A) to refrain from use of illegal drugs and (B) if required, to submit to urinalysis testing
  • Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive position presents a clear threat to the mission of the AF, national security and public safety. The selectee must sign a statement acknowledging the position occupied is identified as a TDP
  • May be required to perform Battle Roster functions during Exercise and Real World events. Battle Roster functions may include, but are not limited to, Future Operations Center (FOC), Future Plans Center (FPC), (cont. below)
  • Joint Logistics Operations Center (JLOC), NNC Deployment and Distribution Operations Center (NDDOC), Joint Intelligence Operations Center-North (JIOC-N), (cont. below)
  • and other tasks as assigned. These duties may require additional duty hours and/or alternate duty locations
  • Eligible for situational telework only, including Ad hoc, Emergency, or OPM prescribed "Unscheduled" Telework. A civilian employee's telework arrangement may be terminated at the discretion of the supervisor or at the employee's request

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, Administrative and Management Positions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes: (1) working with military protocol and ceremonies including with the elements of protocol, intricacies of etiquette and courtesies afforded to visiting civilian, military, and foreign dignitaries, (2) understanding of protocol and reciprocal gestures pertaining to various foreign cultures and providing proper guidance when a member of the command group serves as conference host, (3) planning, directing, coordinating, and making recommendations and/or implement a variety of events assuring that proper protocol is addressed and conducted, (4) working with security systems to determine need for access, required background material, etc., and (5) working with Microsoft Office software.

OR
EDUCATION:
Successfully completed a Ph.D or equivalent graduate degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit copies of your college transcripts.

OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
A combination of specialized experience and education. A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-inĀ­-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 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. Knowledge of Protocol concepts, principles, their methods and applications, established practices, interpersonal relations and practices, and accepted management techniques.

2. Knowledge of military protocol and ceremonies. Knowledge of staff organization, planning procedures, military rank structures and hierarchies.

3. Skill to create itineraries and meeting opportunities for distinguished visitors and senior influential leaders/groups based on knowledge of diverse cultural, religious, ethnic and national backgrounds, as well as Command's strategic messaging.

4. Knowledge of Official Representation Funds regulations, Special Morale and Welfare (SM&W) regulations, agency budget procedures, precedents, policies and guides.

5. Knowledge of commonly accepted writing and editing techniques and skill in applying those techniques in the development and preparation of event plans and materials distributed to distinguished visitors. Ability to independently organize and follow-through on a myriad of complicated details and interconnected tasks.

6. Skill in management of personnel to build collaborative efforts to ensure the performance of tasks by a variety of support personnel through tact, courtesy, persuasion and diplomacy. Knowledge of safety and security regulation, practices and procedures.

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

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more 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 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.

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.

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.

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