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SUPERVISORY OPERATIONS PLANNING SPECIALIST (INSTRUCTOR)

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Special Operations Command

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/17/2026 to 03/30/2026
Salary
$106,437 to - $138,370 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Hurlburt Field, FL
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
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
8J-AFPC-12910659-197067-SCG
Control number
861280800

Duties

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The primary purpose of this position is: To provide a first level supervisor and Chief, Operations Division performing technical and administrative supervisory duties over a group of Course Directors. Also serves as a senior instructor for several advanced subjects in a formal training environment. Instructs on Special Operations Forces (SOF) Air Command and Control, Introduction to Special Operations Course, and Mission Commander's Course. Conducts complex research and analysis for development of academic curriculum related to Joint SOF issues and operations.

DUTIES:

  • Plans, organizes, and directs special operations courses in a formal training environment and assists in course development in selected operationally oriented special air warfare courses.
  • Exercises supervisory personnel management responsibilities. Advises and provides counsel to employees regarding policies, procedures, and directives of management.
  • Conducts complex scholarly (non-scientific) course development, instruction, research, analysis, and evaluation of operational education.
  • Administers measurement materials by testing students on samples of behavior and collecting course critiques and feedback.
  • Prepares and delivers oral presentations such as briefings, training sessions, consultations, and strategy sessions with other staff functions and activities to secure cooperation, resolve controversial matters, and convey information relative to proposed changes in assignments.

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 posn 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.
  • May travel by military or commercial air to conferences, meetings, or other functions away from the duty site.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Clearance.
  • May be required to take a random Counter-Intelligence Polygraph and submit to background checks as a condition of employment and/or continued access to classified information.
  • Overtime may be required as workload demands and in some cases with no-notice due to urgency of time-sensitive matters. Periodic shift work may be required if assigned as a watch-standing analyst.
  • This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing.
  • This is a Centrally Managed Position in the Operations 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

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, Miscellaneous Administration and Program Series, 0301.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-12, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes in-depth knowledge of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods related to special operations forces command and control, organization, and political/military studies for the analysis of Special Operations Forces mission objectives; knowledge of Joint Special Operations doctrine, strategy, and operations and ability to analyze, develop, and evaluate Joint Special Operations education objectives; knowledge of US defense policy, national security affairs, history of Special Operations Forces military operations/organizations, and the use of Special Operations Forces across the spectrum of conflict; and manages assignments, projects, or programs for administrative work.

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-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 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. In-depth knowledge of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods related to special operations forces command and control, organization, and political/military studies for the analysis of Special Operations Forces mission objectives. Rated officer with special operations experience and an advanced degree (e.g. master's degree) in a related field is highly desirable.
  2. Knowledge of Joint Special Operations doctrine, strategy, and operations and ability to analyze, develop, and evaluate Joint Special Operations education objectives.
  3. Ability to apply a variety of scholarly (non-scientific) research techniques to analyze difficult national defense issues, complex Special Operations Forces issues, and propose recommendations to the Special Operations community within the DoD.
  4. Knowledge of US defense policy, national security affairs, history of Special Operations Forces military operations/organizations, and the use of Special Operations Forces across the spectrum of conflict.
  5. Ability to negotiate complex issues; and maintain good working relationships including ability to work harmoniously and maintain professional relationships with military and civilian scholars and researchers. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions and supervise, mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff of an organization as a first-level supervisor.
  6. Skill to develop course materials and instructional methods, principles, and techniques in order to develop and instruction self-contained training courses, obtain training resources and assess overall effectiveness in meeting established training requirements. Skill to communicate effectively both orally and in writing as an instructor and course developer at a formal training school.

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

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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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