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HISTORIAN

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 provide developmental experience designed to broaden the skills and/or enhance the leadership perspective of an identified high-potential, mil-level manager/executive; it is not a continuing position and assignment duration is NTE 36 months.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/17/2026 to 03/24/2026
Salary
$106,437 to - $138,370 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Maxwell AFB, AL
1 vacancy
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
13
Job family (Series)
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
9Z-CB-12908829-231719-JGA
Control number
861088200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Internal Permanent Air Force Employees in the History & Museum Career Field Only

Duties

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DUTY 1
Develop Expertise in Lineage, Honors, and Heraldry in Support of the DAF History and Museums Program. Supports the Department of the Air Force History and Museums Program by learning and applying authoritative methods for determining lineage, honors, and heraldry for Air Force and Space Force organizations. Conducts extensive research in AFHRA's archival holdings, organizational records, orders, and historical files to validate unit
lineage and honors entitlements in accordance with DAF and DoD policy. Assists in preparing lineage and honors statements, organizational histories, and heritage products that support senior leader decision-making, force structure planning, and institutional identity.

DUTY 2:
Conduct Historical Research and Produce Scholarly Works Supporting DAF and DoD Strategic Objectives. Learns and applies advanced historiographic methods to conduct complex historical research using AFHRA's archival holdings, operational records, oral histories, and multi-service and allied sources. Engages senior leaders, Congress, commanders, action officers, and subject-matter experts across the DAF and DoD to obtain
essential information, clarify operational context, and document the evolution of policies, missions, and strategic decisions.

DUTY 3:
Support Classification, Declassification, and Records Protection Responsibilities ("Safe Paper") for the DAF and DoD. Learns and applies classification and declassification procedures in accordance with national security directives, DoD Manual 5200.01, and DAF policy to support AFHRA's role as the custodian of the Air Force's permanent historical record. Reviews historical documents to determine classification status, assess potential national security impacts, and ensure proper handling of materials related to operations, intelligence, weapons systems, and international relations.

DUTY 4:
Develop and Execute Oral History Programs Supporting the DAF History and Museums Program and DoD Enterprise. Learns and applies professional oral history methodology to design, conduct, and manage interviews that capture senior leader perspectives, operational insights, and institutional knowledge essential to the DAF and DoD. Conducts preliminary research, develops interview plans, formulates questions, and performs interviews with senior leaders, key personnel, and subject-matter experts across the Air Force and Space Force. Oversees or assists with transcription, editing, formatting, classification review, and archival integration of oral histories to ensure accuracy, security, and long-term accessibility.


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 a Top Secret security clearance
  • PCS travel expenses will be paid IAW JTR and AFMAN 36-606
  • 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 is 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
  • 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/
  • 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 Professional and Scientific Positions

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

  1. Degree: history; or related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history.

    OR

  2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in history, or a major in a related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Examples of specialized experience include:
The position requires professional knowledge of historical principles, research methodology, and analytical techniques to conduct complex studies, produce authoritative historical narratives, and support enterprise-level decision-making across the Department of Air Force (DAF) and Department of Defense (DoD). The incumbent must possess or rapidly develop mastery of major elements of Air Force and Space Force history, including aviation,
aerospace, airpower, organizational evolution, and military operations, to support lineage and honors determinations, research projects, and oral history programs. Extensive knowledge of archival repositories, digital research tools, and federal and commercial information systems is required to locate, evaluate, and synthesize diverse and sometimes obscure historical materials. Knowledge of DAF and DoD policies governing the History and Museums
Program, including guidance on lineage and honors, heritage, oral history, classification/declassification, FOIA, and Privacy Act requirements, is essential. The position requires familiarity with library science concepts, metadata standards, and archival reference tools to support research and oral history integration. Skills in using computer-based applications -- including databases, digital archival systems, spreadsheets, and presentation software - is required to produce historical products, manage data, and support enterprise workflows. Strong oral and written communication skills are necessary to brief senior leaders, conduct interviews, collaborate with stakeholders, and prepare clear, defensible historical products. The position requires the ability to work effectively with others across the DAF, DoD, academia, and the public


FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Applicants must have served at least 52 weeks at the GS-12 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. Knowledge of professional historical principles, historiographic methods, lineage and honors policy, oral history methodology, and archival research techniques supporting the DAF History and Museums Program.

2. Knowledge of DAF and DoD history program operations, classification and declassification requirements, FOIA and Privacy Act procedures, and heritage and healdry policies to ensure compliance and enterprise-leval integration..
3. Skill in conducting extensive historical research across diverse classified and unclassified sources, synthesizing complex information, and producing authoritative narratives, monographs, and heritage products.
4. Skill in designing, conducting, and managing oral history interviews, transcription workflows, metadata development, and archival integration using advanced digital tools and professional standards.
5. Ability to critically evaluate the accuracy, reliability, and relevance of historical evidence; plan and execute complex research projects; and develop defensible conclusions that support senior leader decision-making.
6. Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with senior leaders, historians, researchers, and stakeholders across the DAF, DoD, academia, and the public, providing expert guidance and fostering enterprise-wide historical literacy

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

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 may or may not be authorized.

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

The employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

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.

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

This 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 Air Force, national security, and public safety.

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

If you are unable to apply online, view the following link for information regarding Alternate Application. The Vacancy ID is 12908829

To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and restriction from the workplace.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. The law made taxable certain reimbursements and other payments, including driving mileage, airfare and lodging expenses, en-route travel to the new duty station, and temporary storage of those items. The Federal Travel Regulation Bulletin (FTR) 18-05 issued by General Services Administration (GSA) has authorized agencies to use the Withholding Tax Allowance (WTA) and Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) to pay for "substantially all" of the increased tax liability resulting from the "2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" for certain eligible individuals. For additional information on WTA/RITA allowances and eligibilities please click here. Subsequently, FTR Bulletin 20-04 issued by GSA, provides further information regarding NDAA FY2020, Public Law 116-92, and the expansion of eligibility beyond "transferred" for WTA/RITA allowances. For additional information, please 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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