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COMBAT OPERATIONS STAFF OFFICER

Department of the Air Force
Air Mobility 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 transform strategic guidance and operational direction, as contained within specified commanders and regional combatant commanders wartime operational plans (OPLANs), and develop them into executable wing tactical and combat action plans.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/06/2026 to 03/12/2026
Salary
$75,068 to - $97,593 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Fairchild AFB, WA
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
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
4Y-AFPC-12901627-183078-RGD
Control number
859948700

Duties

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  • Assistant Combat Operations Branch and 801x Program Manager: The incumbent develops supporting and action plans; coordinates wing maintenance, operations, and support activities; directs aircrew combat mission training; and executes feasibility analyses in support of nuclear warfighting operations.
  • Combat Mission Planning Specialist: The incumbent develops KC-135 combat mission materials to support air refueling operations of strategic bomber and JCS-assigned command control intelligence aircraft.
  • KC-135 Aircrew Combat Mission Curriculum Development: Trains and instructs KC-135R/T aircrews in 801x and contingency plans and procedures. Develops and implements training plans, preparing crew certification training schedules and conducts 801x training classes in accordance with AFI 11-2KC-135, Volume 1 and AMCI 10-450, Volume 4.
  • Contingency/Operational Plan Development: Develops 92 ARW war, contingency, and readiness plans in support of the regional combatant commanders.

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.
  • This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use.
  • May be required to perform Temporary Duty (TDY). TDY may require the use of regularly scheduled commercial or military transportation.
  • Employee is subject to call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in support of war, contingency, or exercise operations. The employee is also subject to working 12-hour shifts.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
  • This position is designated as a key position IAW AFI 36-507. Duties of this position are essential to the accomplishment of wartime/contingency operations.
  • Incumbents of key positions must be removed from their military recall status if alternative for filling of the position during an emergency are not available.
  • This is a Mission Essential (ME) position performing a Mission Critical Function (MCF)
  • which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions. IAW, DoDI 3020-42, Defense Continuity Programs.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.
  • Recent experience as a KC-l 35R/T pilot or navigator and recent experience with USSTRATCOM command and control procedures is highly desirable.
  • Familiarization with C-5/C-l7/C-130/KC-135/KC-10/B-52/B-2/E-6/E-4 aircraft capabilities, performance, configuration, limitations, etc., is highly desirable.

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) Works with various factors involved in total flight planning such as: the en route mobility system, locations, capabilities, restrictions, unique limitations, aircrew flying limitations, and crew requirements, and crew requirement; and aircraft systems, performance capabilities and limitations. (2) Works with arms control roles, missions, programs, and operations as they contribute to treaty compliance in international agreements; and (3) Works with air transportation directives, plans, regulations, techniques, systems and processes.

OR

EDUCATION:
Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or LL.M which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, if related.

NOTE: You must submit a copy of your 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 your 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-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 Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command, and USSTRATCOM operations, policies, practices, and procedures. Knowledge of various factors involved in total flight planning, such as the en route mobility system, locations, capabilities, restrictions, and unique limitations, aircrew flying limitations, and crew rest requirements; and aircraft systems, performance capabilities and limitations. Knowledge of HQ AMC flying regulations and aircrew procedures relating to KC-135 combat and combat support operations.
2. Knowledge of arms control roles, missions, programs, and operations as they contribute to treaty compliance in international agreements.
3. Knowledge of air transportation directives, plans, regulations, techniques, systems and processes. Knowledge of flight operations, instrument flight rules, Federal Aviation Regulations, airfield information and restrictions, en route supplements; i.e. runway length, load bearing capability, type of fuel available, etc. Knowledge of flying instructions, Flight Information Publications (FLIP), guidelines, and worldwide route planning, international airway routes and structure, oceanic routes, controlled and special use airspace aeronautical charts, airways, and flight safety issues. Knowledge of CJCS, DoD, USAF, and AMC security regulations pertaining to protection of materials classified up to and including Top Secret SIOP-ESI.
4. Ability to manage a diverse combat planning team in war planner disciplines in order to solve unusual and complex problems during time-critical situations. Ability to manage a diverse and cross-functional planning body in the deliberate development of operational plans.
5. Ability to produce written plans, policies, procedures and guidelines.
6. Ability as a classroom instructor, to include the preparation and delivery of multimedia lesson plans. Ability to effectively brief senior officers and large audiences.

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.

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 dated within 30 days 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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

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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