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PROTOCOL SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
Air Education and Training 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 plan, manage, coordinate, advise, execute, and train on matters pertaining to protocol for a tenant wing.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/30/2026 to 02/05/2026
Salary
$61,722 to - $80,243 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Gunter 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
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
9Z-AFPC-12873305-104154-NMB
Control number
855567400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Limited area of consideration to Command-Wide Air Education and Training Command (AETC) AF Internal or AF DCIPS Candidates only. Applicants must be a current AETC employee to be eligible.

Duties

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  • Provides policy and procedural guidance for the Commander, Vice Commander, Director of Staff, and other applicable personnel concerning proper protocol requirements for visiting dignitaries, military ceremonies conferences, official meetings, briefings, social functions, and special projects. Arranges, provides supervision, and coordinates visits, agendas, briefings, and tours.
  • Serves as protocol advisor to the Barnes Center Commander, staff, and functional installation-level points of contact. Plans, designs, arranges, and provides protocol briefings, and advises the commander on a wide variety of formal and informal ceremonies, meetings, receptions, visits, observations, and special projects.
  • Custodian for Official Representation Funds (ORF) and Special Morale and Welfare (SM&W) Funds for events/activities for host and associate Air Force units. Interacts with comptroller, non-appropriated fund, and legal personnel to ensure ethical and legal interpretation of appropriate guidelines.
  • Prepares and updates presentations, protocol briefings/reports, correspondence and performs special projects. Performs data collections and ensures recurring and one-time reports are thorough and accurate.

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
  • Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period
  • Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft
  • Required to work an uncommon tour of duty and frequently scheduled and unscheduled overtime. Work after normal business hours is expected and should be anticipated
  • The work requires the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate, valid driver's license is required for the position
  • Incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET security 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
  • Employee must possess the ability to perform moderate physical activity involving lifting, brisk walking, and standing for long periods of time
  • May be required to carry a phone or radio during on and off-duty hours
  • Employee must be able to attend a two-week Protocol fundamentals training course at Maxwell AFB, AL
  • This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing
  • Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety
  • Travel and Relocation Expenses Will Not Be Paid
  • Limited area of consideration to Command-Wide Air Education and Training Command (AETC) AF Internal or AF DCIPS Candidates only. Applicants must be a current AETC employee to be eligible

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-07, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes: (1) Applying analytical and evaluative planning methods, procedures, and techniques to conventional issues concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of protocol operations; (2) working with organization, programs, mission, and functions of the assigned organization and agency in order to plan, schedule, and coordinate protocol responsibilities; (3) working with pertinent budgeting and accounting practices and procedures to project, monitor, and document collection and expenditure of funds.

OR
EDUCATION:
Successfully completed a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 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.B. or J.D., if related. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts.

OR
COMBINATION OF 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-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-07 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 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, and ability to successfully apply military protocol, etiquette manuals and guides, and Command policies, regulations, agency policy, practices and procedures to organize and oversee protocol events.

2. Knowledge of, and ability to successfully apply standard protocol courtesies to be accorded to distinguished visitors primarily from the United States and within the Department of Defense.

3. Detailed knowledge and thorough understanding of regulations and procedures affecting Official Representation Funds (ORF), Special Morale and Welfare (SM&W) Funds and Operations and Maintenance Funds(O&M) and skill in applying basic resource, budget and funds management.

4. Knowledge of organizational components and functions located throughout the agency.

5. Ability to independently plan individual workload to meet deadlines and coordinate event support requirements with a variety of organizations and use various office automation software such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

6. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.

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 transcripts with 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

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.

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.

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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