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RANGE SUPPORT PLANNING AND OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Special Operations Command

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 provide an environment where pilots, aircrews and ground forces from all branches of the service can train for combat in a realistic, safe environment; and provide air-to-ground live and inert munitions delivery training on Melrose Air Force Range (MAFR).

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/19/2025 to 01/08/2026
Salary
$73,939 to - $96,116 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Cannon AFB, NM
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
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
4Q-AFPC-12856877-012233-AMB
Control number
852956500

Duties

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  • Advises commanders and staff officers on all matters pertaining to the capabilities and limitations of the MAFR and training areas and special use facilities to include all facilities, ranges, training areas, maneuver areas, and air land spaces.
  • Coordinates the use of simulated munitions on MAFR including the pre-event weapons checks.
  • Conducts technical inspections/evaluations to provide an overall view of the quality of operations, system maintenance being performed, and support of government equipment.
  • Oversees and periodically reviews the Range Contract(s), and prepares listing of contractual requirements as part of comprehensive quality assurance surveillance plan (QASP).
  • Ensures military training and non-military activities are conducted by authorized persons/organizations; required user reports are submitted and recorded; and ranges, training areas, maneuver areas, and facilities are checked for unauthorized use.
  • Provides advice and assistance to the Range Manager on range management processes and training performance and efficiency.
  • Provides advice concerning the evaluation of new technological developments for use in the training range environment.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoW Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • This position has been designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment and participation in random drug testing
  • The employee may be required to travel in military and/or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.
  • This is a Mission-Essential position performing a Mission-Critical-Function which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions.
  • The work requires the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate, valid driver's license is required for the position.
  • Position requires access to firearms. Persons convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence may not occupy this position in accordance with the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968, as amended 30 Sep 96. (cont)
  • (cont) Employee must sign DD Form 2760, Qualification to Possess Firearms or Ammunition

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, Miscellaneous Administration and Program Series, 0301

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent (may have been obtained in the federal service, military, or public sector). Example of specialized experience includes in-depth knowledge of military command structure, missions, programs, and organizational relationships and program goals and objectives, the sequence and timing of key operational events and milestones, and methods of evaluating the effectiveness of planning actions as related to actual events; in-depth knowledge of a wide range of operational training, contingency operations, and planning principles, practices, procedures and regulations applicable to the full range of operations readiness responsibilities on a military installation and the relationship of these responsibilities to special operation joint forces programs; knowledge of current Joint and Air Force doctrine for irregular warfare, including support for counter insurgency, combating terrorism and unconventional warfare to design, develop, maintain and conduct training and certification programs; knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of field level plans and programs for conducting operational analysis such as research, training and flight operations, exercises, rescue, and special operations; knowledge of Air Force and command program strategic and performance planning priorities, goals objectives and metrics, the sequence and timing of key events and milestones, and methods of evaluating the effectiveness of planning actions related to actual or planned events; and the relationship of the various command entities involved in overall program planning and execution of military operations and evaluations.
OR
EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts.
OR
LL.M., if related. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts.
OR
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 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%.

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.

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 accepted range management and operations concepts, principles, and practices as they apply to organization operations and training, systems, and resources; and ability to apply this knowledge to conventional work assignments.
  2. Knowledge of established qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of field level plans and programs for conducting operational analysis such as research, training and flight operations, exercises, rescue, special operations, or similar issues.
  3. Practical knowledge of Air Force and command program strategic and performance planning priorities, goals objectives and metrics, the sequence and timing of key events and milestones, and methods of evaluating the effectiveness of planning actions related to actual or planned events; and the relationship of the various command entities involved in overall program planning and execution of military operations and evaluations.
  4. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to gain cooperation from others through tact, courtesy, and diplomacy.
  5. Ability to access, update, and locate information through the use of a personal computer and software programs.
  6. Ability to plan, organize, develop and conduct studies and projects, making recommendations on substantive operating programs, and collaborate effectively with others to develop solutions, coordinate with affected leadership and implement recommendations.
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 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.

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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