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IT SPECIALIST (PLCYPLN)

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Civilian Career Training
Civilian Talent Readiness Directorate

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 broaden the skills and enhance leadership abilities of the incumbent, through identification and development of the necessary professional, technical, managerial, and administrative skills to manage Air Force strategy and policy to meet Air Force and DoD wide mission objectives

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/11/2026 to 03/27/2026
Salary
$143,913 to - $187,093 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Pentagon, Arlington, VA
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 or may not be authorized for PCS in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
9L-CB-12903438-223013-JGA
Control number
860578000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Internal Permanent Air Force Employees in the Cyber Space & Information Career Field Only

Duties

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DUTY 1:
Performs Career Broadening assignments/duties. Provides policy guidance on Air Force Enterprise-wide
cyberspace services and solutions, integration management, and cyberspace services strategy issues. Plans and develops policy and strategy for Air Force IT activities. Continually assesses policy needs and interprets broad DoD, AF, and other higher headquarters guidance and applies it through development of policies for the area of responsibility. Consults and coordinates with project staff from other organizations and agencies in developing, revising, interpreting, and modifying policies to ensure Air Force policy meets higher headquarters' guidance. Interprets and integrates national, DoD, and Air Force objectives, guidance, and policy

DUTY 2:
In a Career Broadening capacity serves as interoperability policy and planning manager. Provides guidance to teams creating or using the Joint Information Environment (JIE); works with Major Commands (MAJCOMs), Field Operating Agencies (FOAs), Direct Reporting Units (DRUs), and program managers to ensure interoperability across the enterprise. Evaluates and analyzes alternatives to develop and implement interoperability standards

DUTY 3:
Develops cyberspace planning and policy documents for maintenance, sustainability, interoperability and
integration issues--especially as these disciplines apply to cyber security technologies and techniques.
Determines consistency with DoD, Joint Staff, Air Force, MAJCOM, Field Operating Agencies (FOAs), and non DoD strategies, policies, architectures, concepts, and process improvement guidelines.

DUTY 4:
Maintains a continuous liaison with MAJCOMs, AF Chief Technology Officer, PEOs, DISA, Joint staff, HAF staff, and other organizations. Provides results of studies, analyses, and evaluations to counterpart agencies to share experiences and thereby improve overall defense level planning in areas of architecture. Promotes interchange of information on requirements, capabilities, deficiencies, and technology applications in the area of specialization. Performs staff work while maintaining liaison with other offices.

DUTY 5:
Serves as expert planner, analyst, and advisor to agency management on technical standards, annual/multiyear and long range planning, and/or commercial issues for key agency programs. Completes tasks on time and within applicable budget. Correlates both short-term and long-term agency plans and provides senior management concrete recommendations on fulfilling both. Performs staffing functions including the review of Task Management Tool Tasking's and other tasking's ensuring all requirements are met for the Division


Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Mobility agreement must be signed
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance
  • 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/
  • Career Broadening positions are managed by AFPC/DPZ and are centrally funded.
  • Positions are established specifically to provide developmental experience designed to broaden the skills and/or enhance the leadership perspective of a high-potential, mid-level manager.
  • Career Broadening also provides training and developmental opportunities at various organizational levels.
  • These assignments offer the qualified candidate a unique assignment in that the candidates brings certain experience to the assignment while gaining new experiences in a different work environment
  • TEMPORARY PROMOTION: If the position is filled as a temporary promotion, upon completion of the career broadening assignment, the temporary promotion may lead to permanent promotion without further competition
  • Position may be subject to random drug testing
  • Travel by regularly scheduled commercial or military conveyances IAW Joint Travel Regulations may be required in performance of TDY
  • 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
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments

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,

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below:

  1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
  2. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
  3. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
  4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
AND

One year of specialized experience which includes experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Knowledge and awareness of the technical details of the AF cyberspace and of cutting-edge networking technology integration to include industry best practices. Knowledge to serve as technical expert within the organization and to provide recommendations and develop plans for senior AF leadership to make major policy decisions and formulate network guidance. Knowledge of AF cyberspace policy and planning concepts and principles. Knowledge of skills needed for information, computer, and telecommunications systems management in support of mission requirements. Knowledge of Planning, Programming & Budgeting System (PPBS) linked to corporate AF planning methodology. Knowledge of and experience with analytical techniques, evaluation skills and practices. Skill in project management principles, methods, and practices, including developing plans and schedules, estimating resource requirements, defining milestones and deliverables, monitoring activities, and evaluating accomplishments.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Applicants must have served at least 52 weeks at the GS-13 or higher grade (or equivalent in an alternate pay system) within the Federal Civil Service to be considered for referral. 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. Expert knowledge of a wide range of IT principles, concepts and methods.
2. Knowledge of the range of Air Force doctrine, policy directives, strategies, procedures and other Air Force guidance applicable to managing cyberspace strategy.
3. Knowledge of overall AF mission goals, AF functional area duties and responsibilities, AF mission areas
supported by cyberspace systems and technology, and user cyberspace support requirements process, sufficient to develop AF cyberspace doctrine, policy, and strategies that accommodate changes in the user mission with responsive cyberspace support while remaining consistent with federal, DoD, and other AF policies.
4. Knowledge of AF cyberspace systems support and other functional organizations' missions, roles, capabilities, and resources sufficient to evaluate cyberspace systems policy effectiveness and productivity and propose alternative improvement approaches.
5. Skill in and understanding of principles and techniques for cyberspace systems analysis, design, development, test and integration, sufficient to ensure that Air Force cyberspace systems doctrine, polices, strategies, procedures and techniques foster the consistent application of sound systems management disciplines and techniques.
6. Ability to recognize problems and trends, gather, assemble, and analyze facts, draw conclusions, conduct analysis, devise recommended solutions, and package the entire process into briefings, papers, or reports suitable for top management use and decision-making.
7. Skill and ability to speak and write effectively on highly-complex technical and possibly sensitive issues including preparing statements for senior military, government, and private sector management officials. Ability to give briefings, chair meetings, lead task forces, and prepare reports at the General Officer/Senior Executive Service level.

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

PCS restrictions: An employee selected to make a PCS to a Career Broadening assignment is restricted from making a second PCS for 12 months

Defense National Relocation Program is Authorized

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

This is a formal IT Specialist (PLCYPLN) career broadening position, assignment duration is limited to 36 months.

Incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain Top Secret security level clearance.

This is a designated drug-testing position, incumbent will be subject to random testing for drug use.

Mobility is a condition of employment, employee must sign an Air Force-wide mobility agreement.

May be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends and holidays

May be required to travel by military and/or civilian aircraft in the performance of official duties.

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.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The 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.

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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