This position is located in the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) Headquarters, Human Resource Directorate, Workforce Development Division. The incumbent serves as an Instructional Systems Specialist, providing a variety of work that involves the administration, development, evaluation, and instruction in a training program of a nonprofessional nature for all DeCA employees.
Read the entire announcement before starting the application process.
Summary
This position is located in the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) Headquarters, Human Resource Directorate, Workforce Development Division. The incumbent serves as an Instructional Systems Specialist, providing a variety of work that involves the administration, development, evaluation, and instruction in a training program of a nonprofessional nature for all DeCA employees.
Read the entire announcement before starting the application process.
This announcement is open to current Internal (DECA) Defense Commissary Agency Employees with Career or Career Conditional status, Military Spouse Preference eligible, ICTAP eligible , and Veteran Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) eligible veterans.
Additional positions may be filled from this announcement.
As an Instructional Systems Specialist GS-13 you will be responsible for the following duties:
Ensures that the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision and values are communicated to the team and integrated into the team's strategies, goals, objectives, work plans and work products and services.
Articulates and communicates to the team the assignment, project, problem to be solved, actionable events, milestones, and/or program issues under review, and deadlines and time frames for completion.
Coaches the team in the selection and application of problem-solving methods, provides advice on techniques, practices and procedures, and assists the team or individual in identifying the parameters of viable solutions.
Trains team members in the methods and techniques of team building and working in teams to accomplish tasks or projects and provides specific administrative or technical training necessary for accomplishment of tasks.
Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work, checking on work in progress and reviewing completed work to see that the supervisor's instructions on work priorities, methods, deadlines and quality have been met.
Maintains program and administrative reference materials, project files and relevant background documents and make available policies, procedures and written instructions from the supervisor, maintains current knowledge to answer questions from team members on procedures, policies, directives.
Read the entire job announcement. Focus on the following sections to understand whether or not you qualify for the position. This critical information is found under:
Duties and Qualifications
How to Apply (including a preview of the assessment questionnaire, if applicable)
How You Will be Evaluated
Your resume must thoroughly describe how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the Qualifications section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. We do not assume you have the necessary experience to successfully perform in this job regardless of your employment history or academic career.
Meet minimum age requirement. See Additional Information.
Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered with or exempt from Selective Service.
May be subject to successful verification of identity and employment eligibility through E-Verify. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, at https://www.e-verify.gov/.
May be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as required. New federal employees will be fingerprinted.
Be able to obtain and maintain clearance eligibility based on the appropriate background investigation.
May be subject to a probationary/trial period.
Direct deposit of pay is required.
Meet the physical requirements listed in the Qualifications section.
Qualifications
To Qualify for an Instructional Systems Specialist at the GS-13 Level your resume and supporting documentation must support: meet the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) basic requirement and qualifications for series 1750 and additional requirements by the announcement closing date.
Basic Requirement:
A Degree: that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours appropriate to the work of the position to be filled. The course work must have included study in at least four of the following five areas:
1. Learning theory, psychology of learning, educational psychology: Study of learning theories as they relate to the systematic design, development, and validation of instructional material.
2. Instructional design practices: Study of the principles and techniques used in designing training programs, developing design strategy and models, and applying design methods to the improvement of instructional effectiveness.
3. Educational evaluation: Study of the techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of instructional/educational programs, including developing written and performance tests and survey instruments, and determining reliability and validity of evaluation instruments.
4. Instructional product development: Study of the techniques appropriate for developing training materials, including identifying learner characteristics, specifying objectives, applying training strategy, validating training materials, and evaluating training.
5. Computers in education and training: Study of the application of computers in education and training, including selecting appropriate computer software.
AND
Your resume must clearly show that you have one (1) year of experience applying Federal laws, regulations, policies, procedures and general business practices to buy and sell goods and services in support of the mission and using innovative techniques to develop contractual arrangements (specialized experience) equivalent to at least GS-12. Experience can be under other Federal service pay systems, private sector, or military.
Examples of qualifying specialized experience:
- Develop and evaluate training in a web based/e-learning environment.
- Provide analytical, interpretive, and creative processes to programs of instruction in Distance Learning.
- Coach other employees in assignments, projects, problems, actionable events, milestones or program issues under review.
- Review course objectives and instructional plans to ensure goals and objectives are met.
You will receive credit for all relevant qualifying experience (paid and unpaid), including volunteer work done through National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).
Time-in-grade applies to the promotion of current and former federal employees who hold or have held a permanent GS position in either the competitive or excepted service in the previous 52 weeks, including current employees applying under VEOA. Your application package must contain proof you meet this requirement. See Required Documents for more information.
For GS-13: You must have 52 weeks of Federal service at or equivalent to GS-12.
Time after competitive appointment. Current federal civilian employees must have completed at least 90 days of federal civilian service since being selected for a non-temporary appointment from a competitive examination register of eligibles (an announcement opened to the public) or under a direct hire authority.
EA Executive Judgement
Individual Occupational Requirements
Instructional Design
Instructional Program Administration
Instructional Program Evaluation
Leadership
Minimum Qualifications for GS-13
Overtime: Occasional Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt. Bargaining Unit Status: Not Covered. Those retired under CSRS or FERS considered: No. DoD criteria not met. Telework eligible: Yes, as determined by agency policy. Remote work eligible: No. Obligated Position: No. PCS: Not Authorized.
Education
You may not use education to qualify for this position.
Transcripts.
REQUIRED when using education to meet qualifications or when education is required as an IOR.
Foreign education may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses.
Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable.
When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities.
Additional information
Executive Order 12564 requires a federal workplace to be free of illegal drugs and prohibits the use of illegal drugs both on and off duty by federal employees. As a reminder, marijuana is still classified as an illegal drug by the Federal government and is prohibited for use by Federal employees even if such use is legal in the state where the Federal employee resides and/or works.
The Defense Commissary Agency is a Drug-Free Federal Workplace where the use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated and may result in penalties up to and including removal from Federal service.
The display of a salary range on this announcement does not suggest or convey an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. Upon first appointment to a civilian position in the Federal government, you are entitled only to the lowest step (Step 1) of the grade for which selected.
The minimum age requirement is generally 18 years. Employing those under 18 may be possible under certain circumstances. If under 18 years of age, ensure you provide documentation showing how you are eligible.
Applicants with financial difficulty are not automatically removed from consideration.
Selectees are required to complete an online onboarding process.
Retired military service members cannot be appointed to a Department of Defense (DoD) civilian position within 180 days of their retirement date. 5 United States Code 3326.
The following may result in a rating of ineligible. Ineligible applicants receive no consideration.
Not selecting an eligibility.
Submitting an incomplete application package may result in your not being considered for this position. Your resume must reflect that you are either Part-Time with the number of hours listed, Full Time, or 40 hours per week as your work schedule. If you fail to provide this information in your resume, your resume will be considered as incomplete.
Submitting encrypted documents or uploading Adobe portfolio documents.
Submitting any document that contains a photo or image of you.
Including social media links, inappropriate material or content, classified or government sensitive information, or personal information such as age, gender, race, religion, or social security number on your resume.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials.
Deliberately attempting to falsify your application information, such as copying portions of this announcement into your resume.
Appointment Eligibility Criteria. You choose how you wish to be considered for this position by selecting one or more of the eligibilities listed in the Assessment Questionnaire ANDproviding the supporting documents for the selected eligibility/eligibilities.
Required documents are listed in the eligibility description. You are responsible for providing the documents required to prove you can be considered for the selected eligibility/eligibilities.
HR does not select or change your eligibility/eligibilities for you, regardless of the supporting documents you submit. You are considered ONLY for the eligibility or eligibilities you select and for which you provide all required supporting documents.
You will not be considered if you do not select an eligibility.
If you have questions about which eligibility/eligibilities apply to you, contact the HR POC listed on this announcement.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The assessments for this job will measure the following Competencies:
Instructional Design (5716): Evaluate, plan, coordinate, and develop components of instructional design.
Instructional Program Administration (5718): Organize, plan, and coordinate the functions, provisions, schedules, and administrative activities required to conduct instructional programs. Manage the organization, operation, and resources to facilitate instruction and future planning (e.g., personnel, technology, equipment, facilities, budget, contracting, and other resource requirements)
Instructional Program Evaluation (5719): Assess the learning outcomes, design, and effectiveness of curricula and instructional programs, using internal and external assessment methods and tools, to ensure quality and degree of implementation/adoption, and to inform instructional decisions.
Leadership (158): Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations.
Individual Occupation Requirements (124467): Individual Occupational Requirement for Series 1750.
HR reviews your resume and supporting documents to determine if you meet the qualifications and requirements, and to determine if you meet the eligibility/eligibilities you selected. Your questionnaire score is a preliminary measure of how well your background matches the competencies. If you submit multiple resumes, the last one received is used for this evaluation and sent to the hiring manager if you are referred for selection consideration.
HR refers qualified and appointable applicants to the hiring manager for selection consideration In accordance with DeCA's Merit Promotion Plan. Selections are subject to restrictions of the DoD referral system for displaced employees.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP):This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria AND 2) be rated well-qualified for the position AND 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. Well-qualified means you possess the type and quality of experience that exceeds the position's minimum qualifications.
Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): To receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the (RGP) eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant.
Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible (PPP DoD MRNG):In order to receive this preference, you must choose the (PPP DoD MRNG) eligibility, and fill out and submit the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation.
Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) (PPP MSP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the(MSP) (PPP MSP) eligibility. If you are claiming MSP (PPP MSP) and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Resume:IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be removed from consideration for this announcement.
The resume and required supporting documentation should provide the minimum qualifications and relevant experience for the announced position. Additional guidance on writing a federal resume can be found at: USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job? Page margins should be 0.5 inches, font styles must be legible, and consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text. The resume must not be more than 5MB and should be saved and uploaded as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages.
SF 50 Notification of Personnel Action. All current and former federal civilian employees submit
A copy of your most recent SF 50 showing your current position title, pay plan-series-grade, tenure and position occupied and
When applying for a promotion (higher grade than you currently hold), you must also submit an SF 50 which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements. Examples of appropriate SF50s include Promotions, Within-grade Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old. You may need to submit more than one SF 50 to show you meet this requirement.
To obtain copies of your SF 50s, all current Department of Defense (DoD) employees can access MyBiz, current federal non-DoD employees can access their eOPF, current employees receiving HR servicing from DLA can access eOPF, and former civilian employees can request a copy from the National Archives.
VEOA eligibility: You must provide a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty or other acceptable documentation. The member 4 copy is preferred as it contains key information necessary to adjudicate your claimed preference. DD-214 Worksheets are not acceptable documentation, nor are other than a member 4 copy to which a member 4 Character of Service section is added. Contact the National Archives or your military personnel records center to request a copy of your DD-214.
Current active duty armed forces personnel within 120 days of separation must submit written documentation from the armed forces certifying that the service member is expected to be separated from active duty service not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The document must include the following information: (1) service member's name, (2) date of the expected separation from active duty, (3) expected character of the active duty service at separation, (4) pay grade/rank/rate at separation, (5) dates of active duty service, and (6) any campaign or expeditionary medals received. You must submit the DD-214 when it becomes available.
ICTAP eligibility: Submit (1) a copy of your agency specific ICTAP eligibility notice or a copy of your separation personnel action form and(2) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal and(3) a copy of your most recent SF 50 or agency notification of personnel action showing your current position, grade level, and duty location. Separation personnel actions do not include a certificate/notice of expected separation.
Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP) eligibility: 1. Submit a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist DD3145-1 (whs.mil. 2. a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.
Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible (PPP DoD MRNG):In order to receive this preference, you must choose the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician eligibility, and fill out and submit the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation.
Military Spouse Preference: Submit (1) the Self-Certification Checklist and(2) proof of marriage to the military service member (e.g., marriage certificate, marriage license), and(3) a copy of the military service member's PCS orders.
Performance Appraisal (Optional). Current and former federal civilian employees, including those of the employing agency, are encouraged to include a copy of their most recent rating of record. Hiring managers may consider performance appraisals in the selection process.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM ET on 04/13/2026.
You are responsible for verifying your application package is complete, accurate, and submitted timely. As uploaded documents may take one or more hours to clear the virus scan, plan accordingly to ensure your application process is complete and your application package is submitted by the specified closing date and time.
To begin, click Apply to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your resume, required documents, and/or other supporting documents. You need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply or create an account before applying. You will be taken to an online application. Follow all prompts and complete the online application, verify you've included all required and supporting documentation, and submit your application. Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application is found at the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center. To receive consideration, you must complete all steps of the application process.
You can verify your application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, selecting the Application Status link, and then selecting the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page displays your application status, the documents received and processed, and your questionnaire responses.
DECA HQ
1300 Eisenhower Street
Fort Lee, VA 23801
US
Next steps
Notices post to your USAJOBS account and are emailed to you. You can expect to receive a notice when you complete the application process, when your qualifications status is determined (qualified or not qualified), and when your referral status is determined (referred or not). If you are referred but not selected, you can expect to receive a final notice after the hiring manager makes a selection.
The hiring manager may choose to conduct interviews and may conduct telephone interviews to preclude travel hardships for applicants. Someone from the hiring agency (i.e., DeCA) will contact you if the hiring manager decides to interview you.
Should you receive a tentative job offer, be aware such offers are automatically withdrawn if you fail to (1) record an acceptance or declination by the response date provided in the offer notice and/or (2) meet any pre-employment requirements, including a scheduled appointment. If you receive a job offer, use a computer to submit your response rather than a mobile/cell phone.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Resume:IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be removed from consideration for this announcement.
The resume and required supporting documentation should provide the minimum qualifications and relevant experience for the announced position. Additional guidance on writing a federal resume can be found at: USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job? Page margins should be 0.5 inches, font styles must be legible, and consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text. The resume must not be more than 5MB and should be saved and uploaded as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages.
SF 50 Notification of Personnel Action. All current and former federal civilian employees submit
A copy of your most recent SF 50 showing your current position title, pay plan-series-grade, tenure and position occupied and
When applying for a promotion (higher grade than you currently hold), you must also submit an SF 50 which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements. Examples of appropriate SF50s include Promotions, Within-grade Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old. You may need to submit more than one SF 50 to show you meet this requirement.
To obtain copies of your SF 50s, all current Department of Defense (DoD) employees can access MyBiz, current federal non-DoD employees can access their eOPF, current employees receiving HR servicing from DLA can access eOPF, and former civilian employees can request a copy from the National Archives.
VEOA eligibility: You must provide a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty or other acceptable documentation. The member 4 copy is preferred as it contains key information necessary to adjudicate your claimed preference. DD-214 Worksheets are not acceptable documentation, nor are other than a member 4 copy to which a member 4 Character of Service section is added. Contact the National Archives or your military personnel records center to request a copy of your DD-214.
Current active duty armed forces personnel within 120 days of separation must submit written documentation from the armed forces certifying that the service member is expected to be separated from active duty service not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The document must include the following information: (1) service member's name, (2) date of the expected separation from active duty, (3) expected character of the active duty service at separation, (4) pay grade/rank/rate at separation, (5) dates of active duty service, and (6) any campaign or expeditionary medals received. You must submit the DD-214 when it becomes available.
ICTAP eligibility: Submit (1) a copy of your agency specific ICTAP eligibility notice or a copy of your separation personnel action form and(2) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal and(3) a copy of your most recent SF 50 or agency notification of personnel action showing your current position, grade level, and duty location. Separation personnel actions do not include a certificate/notice of expected separation.
Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP) eligibility: 1. Submit a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist DD3145-1 (whs.mil. 2. a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.
Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible (PPP DoD MRNG):In order to receive this preference, you must choose the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician eligibility, and fill out and submit the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation.
Military Spouse Preference: Submit (1) the Self-Certification Checklist and(2) proof of marriage to the military service member (e.g., marriage certificate, marriage license), and(3) a copy of the military service member's PCS orders.
Performance Appraisal (Optional). Current and former federal civilian employees, including those of the employing agency, are encouraged to include a copy of their most recent rating of record. Hiring managers may consider performance appraisals in the selection process.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM ET on 04/13/2026.
You are responsible for verifying your application package is complete, accurate, and submitted timely. As uploaded documents may take one or more hours to clear the virus scan, plan accordingly to ensure your application process is complete and your application package is submitted by the specified closing date and time.
To begin, click Apply to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your resume, required documents, and/or other supporting documents. You need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply or create an account before applying. You will be taken to an online application. Follow all prompts and complete the online application, verify you've included all required and supporting documentation, and submit your application. Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application is found at the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center. To receive consideration, you must complete all steps of the application process.
You can verify your application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, selecting the Application Status link, and then selecting the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page displays your application status, the documents received and processed, and your questionnaire responses.
DECA HQ
1300 Eisenhower Street
Fort Lee, VA 23801
US
Next steps
Notices post to your USAJOBS account and are emailed to you. You can expect to receive a notice when you complete the application process, when your qualifications status is determined (qualified or not qualified), and when your referral status is determined (referred or not). If you are referred but not selected, you can expect to receive a final notice after the hiring manager makes a selection.
The hiring manager may choose to conduct interviews and may conduct telephone interviews to preclude travel hardships for applicants. Someone from the hiring agency (i.e., DeCA) will contact you if the hiring manager decides to interview you.
Should you receive a tentative job offer, be aware such offers are automatically withdrawn if you fail to (1) record an acceptance or declination by the response date provided in the offer notice and/or (2) meet any pre-employment requirements, including a scheduled appointment. If you receive a job offer, use a computer to submit your response rather than a mobile/cell phone.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
