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TEST AND EVALUATION SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Elements, U.S. Special Operations Command

Summary

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Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/12/2026 to 02/19/2026
Salary
$106,437 to - $138,370 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
MacDill AFB, FL
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
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
5I-AFPC-12887842-099977-AZC
Control number
857556300

Duties

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The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as a Test and Evaluation (T&E) Subject Matter Expert (SME), Master Trainer and Lead Test Officer for United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E).Responsible for advising the Director of Test & Evaluation on all T&E related matters, training on broad or specific T&E subjects within and outside USSOCOM, and providing T&E oversight of capability requirements and materiel solutions for Special Operations Forces (SOF). Provides SME support, Master Trainer functions, and analyze and advise on completeness and accuracy of assigned USSOCOM T&E requirements.

  • Serves as the Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) Subject Matter Expert (SME), Lead Test Officer and Policy Advisor for the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (J8 -O).
  • Leads and Executes USSOCOM Operational Test and Evaluation Training and Process Improvement Programs as the J8-O Master Trainer.
  • As Lead Test Officer for USSOCOM Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E), designs, develops, and directs the developmental and operational testing requirements and oversees execution without direct supervision for assigned Acquisition Category (ACAT) I, II, III and/or DoD oversight major weapons systems programs.
  • Provides Operational Effectiveness (OE), Suitability (OS) and Safety recommendations to the USSOCOM J8-O Director who will, in turn, make a Fielding and Deployment determination on behalf of the Commander USSOCOM in accordance with Title 10, Section 167 authorities.
  • Ensures the core classified national information protection security disciplines are fully covered from a policy and programmatic viewpoints to ensure overall information protection requirements meet mission 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 position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft/vehicle to conferences, meetings, or functions away from the duty office/location. Travel may include overnight stays.
  • The work requires the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate, valid driver's license is required for the position.
  • This position is designated a non-critical APDP position. The employee must meet, or be capable of meeting, the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DA WAI) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
  • Incumbent is required to complete "Public Financial Disclosures Report" pursuant to Title I of Ethics m Government Act of 1978 as amended (the "Act"). 5 USC App IOI Et Seq

Qualifications

Conditions of Employment Cont.:

  • The 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 AirForce, national security, and public safety.
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, Miscellaneous Administration and Program Series, GS-0301.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-12, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes mastery knowledge of basic laws, Federal, DoD, Service and SOF regulations and directives related to acquisition management, T&E principles, and system safety as related to Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAP), to provide oversight of materiel requirements and solutions for SOF, to analyze and advise on completeness and accuracy of assigned T&E requirements, to apply detailed knowledge of current procedures, policies and OT&E processes to recommend evolutionary changes to testing and evaluation philosophies using acquisition reform principles. Mastery Knowledge of SOF Capabilities Integration and Development System (SOFCIDS) and SOF Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) processes to perform T&E oversight of SOF peculiar Ground systems, Maritime surface/subsurface systems, mobile/fixed Communication systems, Airborne manned/unmanned systems, Intelligence systems and weapon systems projects and ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and directives. Recognized SME for T&E within SOF and serves as lead test officer. Expert in adapting analytical techniques and evaluation criteria to determine program execution effectiveness and in developing new and modified testing methods.

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-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 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. Mastery knowledge of acquisition management, T&E principles, and system safety assessments of Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAP) as addressed in DoD instruction 5000.89 and USSOCOM Directive 71-5.
  2. Expert knowledge of SOF Requirements process to include development of Initial Capability Documents (ICDs), Capability Development Documents (CDDs), Special Operations Rapid Requirements Document (SORRD) and other SOF Accelerated Acquisition Process IAW USSOCOM Directive 71-4.
  3. Expert knowledge, skills, and experience in leading, developing, and documenting organization wide new and recuring personnel (test officers, operational test agencies, and program managers) comprehensive test and evaluation training
  4. Highly Skill in working with little or no supervision, exercising sound judgment and standing by one's decisions.
  5. Skill in applying new concepts, explaining approaches to unstructured problems and in developing and defining alternative test strategy courses of action.
  6. Ability to communicate in a very precise manner, 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

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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.

Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position.

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.

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.

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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