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SPACE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
AFELM US Space 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
04/13/2026 to 04/20/2026
Salary
$91,870 - $109,246 per year
Pay scale & grade
NH 3
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Colorado Springs, CO
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
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
9C-AFPC-12933453-246468-AZC
Control number
864926800

Duties

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Employee plans and carries out assignments independently; conceives and defines solutions to highly complex problems; analyzes, interprets, and reports findings of projects; and guides technical and programmatic work of team members in comparable junior grades. Completed work and reports are reviewed for feasibility, compatibility with other work or effectiveness in meeting requirements or expected results. Position involves 51% or more of time in direct support of acquisition positions.

  • Conducts joint planning processes to support DoD space operations.
  • May serve as the de facto deputy in the absence of the military branch chief.
  • Supports the Boards, Bureaus, Centers, Cells and Working Groups (B2C2WG) Battle Rhythm events.
  • Provides guidance, training, and technical insight on space operations issues to the US military department staffs and other government and non-government agencies.

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 position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for this position
  • Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position
  • Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
  • Employee needs to obtain and maintain approval to access the portfolio of Special Access Programs required to perform daily duties.
  • May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
  • May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
  • Position may be recalled to duty.

Qualifications

Conditions of Employment Cont.:

  • This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions present a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety. It is required that you (a) refrain from the use of illegal drugs and (b) if requested, submit to urinalysis testing.
  • Position is designated special-sensitive and requires a TOP SECRET (TS) security clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. A non-disclosure agreement must be signed.
  • Incumbent is subject to uncommon tour of duty hours to include proficiency shifts, rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays on an infrequent basis. Extended shift work (12 hours), and off-duty hours on-call, particularly during Command exercises, special events, and emergencies.
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, 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-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes Knowledge of Joint operational doctrine, the Joint Planning Process, joint combatant command structure, and global command and control constructs. Knowledge of and ability to implement military adaptive planning process, and development of operational
orders.

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-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the NH-03, GS-12 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 Joint operational doctrine, the Joint Planning Process, joint combatant command structure, and global command and control constructs.
  2. Knowledge of and ability to implement military adaptive planning process, and development of operational orders.
  3. Skill to participate in operational planning teams, participate in operational assessment groups, and modify existing orders to affect ongoing operations.
  4. Ability to independently execute projects and/or studies within established time constraints.
  5. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, articulate complex issues; and maintain good working relations.

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 of more than three (3) calendar days 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 dated within 30 days 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.

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.

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.

AFELM US Space Command

To conduct operations in, from, and through space to deter conflict, and if necessary, defeat aggression, deliver space combat power for the Joint/Combined force, and defend U.S. vital interests with allies and partners.

The United States Space Command has been established as the 11th combatant command. The mission of the United States Space Command is to conduct operations in, from, and through space to deter conflict, and if necessary, defeat aggression, deliver space combat power for the Joint/Combined force, and defend U.S. vital interests with allies and partners. Find out more click here.

Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide:

  • AF DCIPS Interchange
  • AF Internal Employee
  • EO 13473 Appointment of Certain Military Spouses
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Employee
  • Military Spouse Preference
  • PPP DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians
  • PPP DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • PPP Mil Res (MR) and Nat Guard (NG) Pref Eligible Technician Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Veterans Employment Opportunities Act

Agency contact information

Total Force Service Center
Phone
1-800-525-0102
Email
DO.NOT.EMAIL@CALL.ONLY
Address
SPACECOM
250 Vandenberg Street
Suite B016
Peterson SFB, CO 80914
US

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