The Director and Chancellor is the Institute's senior Academic Leader who is responsible for overall leadership and management of all academic programs and supporting activities. This position is an executive-level, Administratively Determined (AD), federal civil service position, a protocol grade equivalent to a brigadier general. Incumbent reports to the Commander and President at Air University at Maxwell AFB, AL.
Summary
This is a Non-Tenure Track position.
The Director and Chancellor is the Institute's senior Academic Leader who is responsible for overall leadership and management of all academic programs and supporting activities. This position is an executive-level, Administratively Determined (AD), federal civil service position, a protocol grade equivalent to a brigadier general. Incumbent reports to the Commander and President at Air University at Maxwell AFB, AL.
Articulates long-term vision and strategic advancement plan to guide AFIT. The Director and Chancellor leads and oversees execution of AFITs mission making systematic progress toward achieving the Institutes vision through numerous continual activities include promoting teaching excellence, student success, developing highly-regarded education, research programs, and facilitating value-added consultations that contribute to the advancement of national defense.
Ensures AFITs institutional values, culture, policies, academic programs and supporting activities are aligned with, responsive to and supportive of the values, culture, policies, priorities and strategies of the Department of War and the Department of the Air Force, including both the U.S Air Force and U.S Space Force. In particular, implements policies and procedures to promote diversity and inclusion throughout the Institute.
Ensures AFITs policies, academic programs supporting activities are in compliance with policies, standards and expectations of its academic accrediting bodies, i.e., regional accreditation by Higher Learning Commission program accreditation by ABET.
Ensures the safety and security of all of the Institute's programs and activities, including providing for the general welfare and morale of the Institutes faculty, staff, students and administration, including their families.
Effectively articulates and advocates AFIT's mission to key stakeholders and influencers, on and off campus, as the lead strategic communicator for the Institute.
Advocates for the resources required to effectively, efficiently, affordably and safely execute AFITs mission, including (e.g.) authorities, funding, manpower, supplies, services, contract support and infrastructure.
Makes key decisions concerning the allocation and utilization of all resources available for accomplishing AFITs mission.
Ensures the safety and security of all of the Institutes programs and activities, including providing for the general welfare and morale of the Institutes faculty, staff, students and administration, including their families.
Effectively articulates and advocates AFITs mission to key stakeholders and influencers, on and off campus, as the lead strategic communicator for the Institute.
Serves as the Institutes lead for responding to directions and requests from (e.g.) Congress, and senior officials at higher headquarters within the Department of War and the Department of the Air Force.
Articulates long-term vision and strategic advancement plan to guide AFIT. The Director and Chancellor leads and oversees execution of AFITs mission making systematic progress toward achieving the Institutes vision through numerous.
Identifies new opportunities for broader AFIT involvement in DoD and academic communities and opportunities for broader collaboration with AFITs partners and stakeholders in government, academia, business and industry, and the local community.
Represents AFIT in high-level meetings throughout government, industry, and the academic community.
Exercises a high degree of creativity and innovation in applying sound, mature judgment to develop effective solutions to a wide range of highly complex and unusual, technical, and resource management problems and issues.
Collaborates and coordinates with the senior leaders of other organizations located at Wright-Patterson AFB. Supports, defends, and influences program and policy decisions at the highest levels of the Federal government, industry and the broader academic and scientific community.
Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov.
Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays. Shift work and emergency overtime may be required.
Employee must maintain current certifications.
Selectee may be subject to serve a trial period.
Candidates are not required to have active-duty service or veterans' preference to be referred and considered. All qualified candidates who meet the recruitment assessment criteria will be referred to the selecting official.
The selected candidate will be subject to a security investigation leading to successful completion of a background investigation with a favorable adjudication. The selectee's failure to meet this requirement will be grounds for termination.
Essential qualities expected of every faculty member include the personal attributes of integrity, industry, cooperation, initiative, and breadth of intellectual interests.
Travel by military or commercial transportation to gather ideas for improving the curriculum, establish research contacts and agreements, conduct research, and present results of research may be required.
Appointment is under Schedule A appointing authority, Excepted Appointment Not-to-Exceed 5 years and may be renewed for an additional
five years.
An initial appointment can be allowed to expire for an employee who does not adequately demonstrate professional competence.
Current Federal employees on a permanent or indefinite appointment may be required to have a minimum of 3-day break in service if selected.
This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service. This is an Administratively Determined position in the excepted service.
Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used.
PCS expenses if authorized will be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations.
This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random drug testing for drug use.
Incumbent may be required to travel by commercial or military conveyance (or other means of travel) to perform temporary duty.
Employee must within 30 days of assuming this position and by 31 October annually thereafter, file and OGE-450, Confidential Financial
Disclosure Report.
Requires a comprehensive understanding of, or the ability to quickly adapt to, military culture, organizations, and operations.
Qualifications
REQUIRED MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience comparable to that normally associated with the academic rank of professor in an accredited graduate school.
A comprehensive understanding of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of War, and joint and combined operations.
Leadership experience at the senior level in a large and diverse organization; by law, the incumbent must be a member of the Senior Executive Service, a civilian individual, or a civilian retired from the Air Force in a grade not below O-7.
Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate AFITs vision and strategy to a wide range of diverse audiences in the public and private sectors and academic partners. - Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusiveness.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
An earned advanced academic degree (PhD desired, but not required) in a field of study relevant to the mission and function of the Air Force Institute of Technology. - Significant senior academic administrative experience at an accredited university is highly desirable.
Experience comparable to that normally associated with the academic rank of professor in an accredited university with graduate programs.
Experience in building partnerships with other academic institutions, both civilian academic institutions and government academic institutions.
Familiarity with the DoD e.g. its organization, policies, operations, etc.
Strategic-thinking and an outward-looking approach
Experience in developing and advancing organizations
Commitment to ensuring that AFIT endures as a preeminent, defense-focused graduate research and continuing education institution through fostering effective partnerships with the private, government and academic sectors.
Education
This 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
This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service. Late applications from veterans will not be accepted for faculty positions. Late applications for veterans only apply when filling positions in the competitive service.
As a condition of employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For additional information click here.
Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required by PL 104-134 to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
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 of at least three (3) calendar days may be required prior to appointment to the position.
Application materials become the property of AFIT and WILL NOT be returned.
Applications submitted under this announcement will be considered ONLY for this vacancy.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Starting September 27, 2025, USAJOBS began restricting all resumes to two pages in length.
Applicants possessing the required qualifications as contained within this announcement will be evaluated and ranked by a Faculty-Rating Panel based on the extent to which their experience and education relate to the requirements of the position. A personal interview and presentation to the faculty may be required of the top applicants.
Applicants will be assessed based on their teaching credentials, scholarship, service, and education. Your application package (curriculum vitae, transcripts, supporting documents, etc.) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully.
An incomplete package will result in non-consideration of your application.
Interested persons should submit a curriculum vitae (resume) that addresses the ways in which the applicant's qualifications meet the requirements of the ad to include evidence of teaching excellence and promise of research productivity. Additional documents are required to complete your application package, please reference the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" section for more information.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Starting September 27, 2025, USAJOBS began restricting all resumes to two pages in length.
Applicants possessing the required qualifications as contained within this announcement will be evaluated and ranked by a Panel based on the extent to which their experience and education relate to the requirements of the position. The panel will then make a recommendation of those Best Qualified candidates who should be referred to the selecting official, in priority order. Final selection is contingent upon the approval from the Secretary of the Air Force.
An incomplete package will result in non-consideration of your application.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Starting September 27, 2025, USAJOBS began restricting all resumes to two pages in length.
Applicants possessing the required qualifications as contained within this announcement will be evaluated and ranked by a Faculty-Rating Panel based on the extent to which their experience and education relate to the requirements of the position. A personal interview and presentation to the faculty may be required of the top applicants.
Applicants will be assessed based on their teaching credentials, scholarship, service, and education. Your application package (curriculum vitae, transcripts, supporting documents, etc.) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully.
An incomplete package will result in non-consideration of your application.
Interested persons should submit a curriculum vitae (resume) that addresses the ways in which the applicant's qualifications meet the requirements of the ad to include evidence of teaching excellence and promise of research productivity. Additional documents are required to complete your application package, please reference the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" section for more information.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The following documents are required and must be received by the closing date of the announcement.
Letter of application (cover letter) (Required)
Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume may be submitted in any format. For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., hour per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). Resumes that do not contain this information may be marked as insufficient and applicants may not receive consideration for this position. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply". (Required)
Curriculum Vitae: You must submit a curriculum vitae (no length restrictions), and it must contain detailed information in the following areas, as appropriate (Required):
o Teaching Accomplishments: Include teaching experience and teaching awards.
o Professional Accomplishments: Include research, consultations, publications, and awards.
o Service Accomplishments: Include membership, leadership roles, nature of service and contribution in collegial and/or professional organizations, societies, etc.
Transcripts - This 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. (Required)
List of three professional references (to include name, complete mailing address and phone number) (Required - may be in CV)
Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your professional work is (Highly Desired))
Veterans' preference documents, if applicable (i.e. DD-214, SF-15, Veterans Affairs letter for federal employment) (If applicable)
U.S. Equivalency from a Department of Education approved (non-federal) credentialing agency (i.e. AICE, NACES), who will complete a U.S. Standard of Education Conversion for education completed in foreign colleges or universities. (If applicable)
Separate Mandatory Qualification Statement (Required)
Separate Senior Professional Qualifications statement addressing the following:
Contributions
Leadership
Professional Stature (Required)
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: a letter of application (cover letter), resume, curriculum vitae, legible copies of ALL transcripts, statement of teaching, and statement of research interest.
PLEASE NOTE: A Graduate degree is required before employment begins, but ALL transcripts must be provided for ALL degrees being pursued or obtained as stated in your curriculum vitae are required.
Questions on the position opening or the Department should be directed to Marcia Sanders at email: marcia.sanders@us.af.mil. You can also notify her of your intention to apply.
An incomplete package will result in non-consideration of your application.
1. Your Resume:
Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here.
If you submit more than one Resume, only the most recent (latest) will be reviewed to determine your qualifications. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp.
For qualification determination your Resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your Resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series, and grade, i.e., GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your Resume/Curriculum Vitae.
Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy.
Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume.
2. Your Curriculum Vitae:
Teaching accomplishments: Include teaching experience and teaching awards
Professional Accomplishments: Include research, consultations, publications, and awards
Service Accomplishments: Include membership, leadership roles, nature of service and contribution in collegial and/or professional organizations, societies, etc.
Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the curriculum vitae you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy.
3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section).Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. If you are claiming veterans' preference, please provide basic eligibility information in your cover letter. Also include in your application a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) and, if disabled, a completed SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference), along with a letter for federal employment from the Department of Veterans Affairs indicating your service-connected disability rating.
IF APPLICABLE: An active-duty military member's statement of service/certification letter will be accepted in lieu of a DD-214. The statement/certification letter can be obtained from your servicing military personnel office and must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate your rank, dates of active-duty service, and type of discharge/character of service (i.e. honorable). Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military separation, if member is on terminal leave, and if applicable, with the appropriate 180-day approved waiver.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully.
You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.
Once your application package is received an acknowledgement email will be sent.
Upon vacancy closeout, applicants will be notified via e-mail acknowledging receipt of their application package and advised of the anticipated selection date.
Upon candidate selection, all applicants will be notified via e-mail of their selection/non-selection status.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents are required and must be received by the closing date of the announcement.
Letter of application (cover letter) (Required)
Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume may be submitted in any format. For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., hour per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). Resumes that do not contain this information may be marked as insufficient and applicants may not receive consideration for this position. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply". (Required)
Curriculum Vitae: You must submit a curriculum vitae (no length restrictions), and it must contain detailed information in the following areas, as appropriate (Required):
o Teaching Accomplishments: Include teaching experience and teaching awards.
o Professional Accomplishments: Include research, consultations, publications, and awards.
o Service Accomplishments: Include membership, leadership roles, nature of service and contribution in collegial and/or professional organizations, societies, etc.
Transcripts - This 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. (Required)
List of three professional references (to include name, complete mailing address and phone number) (Required - may be in CV)
Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your professional work is (Highly Desired))
Veterans' preference documents, if applicable (i.e. DD-214, SF-15, Veterans Affairs letter for federal employment) (If applicable)
U.S. Equivalency from a Department of Education approved (non-federal) credentialing agency (i.e. AICE, NACES), who will complete a U.S. Standard of Education Conversion for education completed in foreign colleges or universities. (If applicable)
Separate Mandatory Qualification Statement (Required)
Separate Senior Professional Qualifications statement addressing the following:
Contributions
Leadership
Professional Stature (Required)
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: a letter of application (cover letter), resume, curriculum vitae, legible copies of ALL transcripts, statement of teaching, and statement of research interest.
PLEASE NOTE: A Graduate degree is required before employment begins, but ALL transcripts must be provided for ALL degrees being pursued or obtained as stated in your curriculum vitae are required.
Questions on the position opening or the Department should be directed to Marcia Sanders at email: marcia.sanders@us.af.mil. You can also notify her of your intention to apply.
An incomplete package will result in non-consideration of your application.
1. Your Resume:
Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here.
If you submit more than one Resume, only the most recent (latest) will be reviewed to determine your qualifications. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp.
For qualification determination your Resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your Resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series, and grade, i.e., GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your Resume/Curriculum Vitae.
Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy.
Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume.
2. Your Curriculum Vitae:
Teaching accomplishments: Include teaching experience and teaching awards
Professional Accomplishments: Include research, consultations, publications, and awards
Service Accomplishments: Include membership, leadership roles, nature of service and contribution in collegial and/or professional organizations, societies, etc.
Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the curriculum vitae you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy.
3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section).Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. If you are claiming veterans' preference, please provide basic eligibility information in your cover letter. Also include in your application a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) and, if disabled, a completed SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference), along with a letter for federal employment from the Department of Veterans Affairs indicating your service-connected disability rating.
IF APPLICABLE: An active-duty military member's statement of service/certification letter will be accepted in lieu of a DD-214. The statement/certification letter can be obtained from your servicing military personnel office and must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate your rank, dates of active-duty service, and type of discharge/character of service (i.e. honorable). Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military separation, if member is on terminal leave, and if applicable, with the appropriate 180-day approved waiver.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully.
You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.
Once your application package is received an acknowledgement email will be sent.
Upon vacancy closeout, applicants will be notified via e-mail acknowledging receipt of their application package and advised of the anticipated selection date.
Upon candidate selection, all applicants will be notified via e-mail of their selection/non-selection status.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
