Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results
 

SUPERVISORY FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
U.S. Air Forces, Europe

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 serve as Deputy Division Chief, as second level supervisor, planning, directing, organizing, and exercising control over supervisory and nonsupervisory employees assigned to HQUSAFE-AFAFRICA/A5I, International Affairs Division.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/10/2026 to 03/23/2026
Salary
$107,446 to - $139,684 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Ramstein, Germany
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
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
9N-AFPC-12905610-162447-SCG
Control number
860361800

Duties

Help

  • Works with the Division Chief in planning, organizing, and overseeing the activities of the HQ USAFE-AFAFRICA/ A5I, International Affairs Division. Develops goals and objectives that integrate organization and HQ USAFE-AFAFRICA/ A5I, International Affairs Division objectives.
  • Participates with the Division Chief in the exercise of supervisory personnel management responsibilities.
  • Represents the organization with a variety of installation and functional area knowledge. Establishes, develops, and maintains effective working relationships with counterparts at Air Force headquarters, the Joint Staff, USEUCOM, USAFRICOM, Sister Component Commands, US Embassies, Offices of Defense Cooperation, and the Defense Attachés.

Requirements

Help

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
  • Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof provided on your resume
  • Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
  • Employees and family members requiring medical/dental care in the overseas location are responsible for obtaining/paying for care. Access for these members to military medical/dental treatment facilities is on space-available/reimbursable basis only.
  • 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.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance with a Sensitive Compartmentalized Information (SCI) clearance.
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
  • May be required to work overtime.
  • Employee is required to submit an initial and annual SF-450 (Financial Disclosure) in accordance with the Joint Ethics Regulation.
  • Superior Qualifications authorized
  • This is a Centrally Managed Position in the International Affairs Career Field. PCS will be paid in accordance with JTR Vol. 2 and applicable Air Force Regulations.
  • "This is a Supervisory Position." A 1-year supervisory probationary period is required if applicant selected has not previously met this requirement.

Qualifications

This position is emergency-essential (E-E). The incumbent of this position must meet all requirements of E-E positions and may be required as a condition of employment to take a series of vaccinations and annual boosters to immunize against anthrax and other diseases. In the event of crisis situation, the incumbent or the designated alternate may be required to take part in readiness exercises. This position cannot be vacated during a national emergency or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the organization to function effectively.

This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the AirForce 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.

SCW: SC4C3 - This is a Non-Key Security Cooperation (SC) position based on the duties and responsibilities. The position requires DoD SC Workforce (SCW) Certification. The incumbent must complete certification related training requirements in the SC Functional Area (FA) within the timeframe associated with the position's SCW certification level.

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, Professional and Scientific Positions, Foreign Affairs Series, 0130.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:

Degree:
major or equivalent, or a combination of courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in international law and international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; or 12 semester hours in one of the above disciplines and 12 semester hours in statistics/quantitative methods.

Or

Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Or

Experience: four years of appropriate experience in one or more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs.

AND

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-13, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of the major command mission in providing the Joint Force commander rapidly deployable expeditionary aerospace forces capable of conducting the full spectrum of military operations. Knowledge of the major command role in using the appropriate instruments to influence the actions of other states and non-state actors, to provide leadership, and to engage with regional partners that share our interests; knowledge of international mechanisms, organizations, and structures gained from advanced academic study and personal experience; Knowledge of the major command security cooperation activities including military contacts, combined education, training and exercises, security assistance, operational activities, humanitarian assistance operations. Understanding of legalities of international agreements: types, authorities, and procedures.


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-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 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 the major command mission in providing the Joint Force commander rapidly deployable expeditionary aerospace forces capable of conducting the full spectrum of military operations. Knowledge of the major command role in using the appropriate instruments to influence the actions of other states and non-state actors, to provide leadership, and to engage with regional partners that share our interests.
  2. Knowledge of international mechanisms, organizations, and structures gained from advanced academic study and personal experience. Knowledge of the major command security cooperation activities including military contacts, combined education, training and exercises, security assistance, operational activities, humanitarian assistance operations. Understanding of legalities of international agreements: types, authorities, and procedures.
  3. Knowledge of the major command structure mission, programs, and organizational relationships. Knowledge of the military service organizations, activities, and procedures with regard to the Air Expeditionary Wing deployment operations.
  4. Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of military Service, Joint organizations, and inter-and-intra-command working groups. Ability to present both written and oral information to non-technical managers, expert analysts, and senior level officials, in a clear, concise and persuasive manner.
  5. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions and supervise, mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff off an organization through subordinate supervisors.
  6. Ability to analyze, plan, and adjust work operations of subordinate organizational segments to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources.

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 programs. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Important Overseas Information: Applicants interested in applying for overseas locations please click here to review important information regarding the exceptional family member program.

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.

Temporary and Term Appointments: If you are selected for a temporary or term position in the competitive service, your appointment may be extended to the maximum period allowed by law without further competition. NOTE: 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.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used.

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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: When job announcements indicate PCS costs are authorized, overseas allowances may be authorized in accordance with Department of State Standardized Regulation (DSSR) and any applicable Federal Overseas Regulations.

Selectees who physically reside permanently in the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during the entire recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) and selected for employment in the foreign area are eligible to receive certain foreign area benefits such as: Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) or government quarters, Post Allowance, Home Leave, etc. (subject to approval).

Selectees who physically reside outside the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during any step of the recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) will have foreign area benefits eligibility be determined on a case by case basis.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.