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HOMELAND DEFENSE OPERATONS SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
U.S. Northern Command

Summary

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Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/17/2026 to 04/24/2026
Salary
$109,246 - $142,022 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Peterson AFB, 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
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
6X-AFPC-12941205-261372-NW
Control number
865755300

Duties

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The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as the Homeland Defense Operations Specialist and Operational Planner in the USNORTHCOM J34 (NCJ34) Homeland Defense and Protection Division. As the Homeland Defense Operations Specialist, employee supports the development of Homeland Defense plans and policy in all domains, and engages in leading teams in the reviewing, drafting, writing, and updating both deliberate and crisis action mission analysis, operations orders, execution orders, concept of operations and related documents dealing with the complex Homeland Defense missions of USNORTHCOM.
Serves as the Homeland Defense Operational Specialist; coordinates the synchronization of Land and Maritime Homeland Defense operations planning and execution across the Command's broad operational spectrum.

  • Serves as the Homeland Defense Operational Specialist. Coordinates the synchronization of Land and Maritime Homeland Defense operations planning and execution across the Command's broad operational spectrum.
  • Serves as the Homeland Defense Operational Planner.
  • Serves as a primary point of contact at Homeland Defense conferences, events, symposia, workshops and operations that relate the command's Homeland Defense mission directives. Coordinates with the OSD, Joint Staff, other CCMDs, National Guard, Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Transportation and Civil Port Authorities.
  • Maintains a mission ready status by accomplishing certification and proficiency in shift watches to monitor the overall homeland situation and to react to various types of domestic events that may be in the context of threats to Homeland Defense. As events occur, employee is responsible for collection, correlation, and characterization of all such domestic events to include air, land, maritime, and civil support.

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
  • Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof provided on your resume
  • Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for this position
  • Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position
  • Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
  • A Top Secret/Special Sensitive clearance is required for this position. The employee is required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Special Sensitive clearance as a condition of employment.
  • Travel by military and/or commercial aircraft may be required in attending training, visiting other activities, and/ or attending conferences.
  • This position subject to uncommon tours of duty and/or shift work.
  • The employee may be required to work overtime and/or other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays and is subject to short or no-notice recall to duty for emergency situations or exercises.
  • Must exhibit a high degree of judgment, resourcefulness, originality, and ability to foresee the impact of changing technology.
  • Locally funded PCS: Travel and relocation expenses will be paid in accordance with JFTR

Qualifications

Conditions of Employment Continued:

  • This position is designated by the Air Force as a Test Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. As a mandatory requirement for employment in this TDP, the incumbent is (A) to refrain from use of illegal drugs and (B) if required, to submit to urinalysis testing. The selectee must sign a statement acknowledging the position occupied is identified as a TDP.
  • This position is designated as a Key IAW AFI 36·507. Duties of this position are essential to the accomplishment of wartime/contingency operations. Duties cannot be vacated without release by proper government authority. Employee will be required to be available in a military recall status and report to duty during emergencies and at other times as directed by Division/Directorate/Command deems appropriate.
  • This is a Mission Essential (ME) position performing a Mission Critical Function (MCF) which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions. IAW, DoDI 3020-42, Defense Continuity Programs.
  • May be required to perform Battle Roster functions during Exercise and Real World events. Battle Roster functions may include, but are not limited to, Joint Personnel Operation Cell, Contingency Command Center, Future Operations Center, Joint Enabling Capability, and other tasks as assigned. These duties may require additional duty hours and/or alternate duty locations.9. This is a Mission Essential (ME) position performing a Mission Critical Function (MCF) which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions. IAW, DoDI 3020-42, Defense Continuity Programs.

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, GS-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 demonstrating mastery of National, Department of Defense, and interagency policy and doctrine, and capabilities affecting Homeland Defense and Homeland Security (HS) operations; mastery of NCJ34 missions, capabilities, organization and operations of: USNORTHCOM, other unified commands, and other military services; and knowledge of military maritime principles; DoD military command and control operations, command and control of maritime forces; geographical areas of responsibility as pertains to the geographical Commands; maritime and combat operations at both the operational and strategic levels of war.

Eligible for situational telework only, including Ad hoc, Emergency, or OPM prescribed "Unscheduled" Telework. This eligibility is separate and distinct from the employee's eligibility. A civilian employee's telework arrangement may be terminated at the discretion of the supervisor or at the employee's request.

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:
  • Ability to react in a high stress environment to intense Land and Maritime domestic event situations, make critical characterization judgments, formulate recommendations that may have major national impact/consequences and transmit those recommendations clearly and concisely.
  • Knowledge of military law and doctrine; Joint policies and procedures; DoD, Services and Joint organizational structures; national intelligence organizations, and other pertinent interagency organizations. Knowledge of military strategic and tactical concepts, principles, processes in all domains to include air, land, maritime, cyber, and space.
  • Knowledge of relationships of the various Combatant Commands' missions and organizations and the respective agents for those commands involvement in overall planning and executing military operations and evaluations. Knowledge gained through experience and/or technical schooling in land and maritime missions, processes and procedures.
  • Skill in oral and written communications methods and techniques at various levels and venues. This includes all applicable USNORTHCOM computer systems and the communications pathways by which data is transmitted. Ability to plan, organize work and meet deadlines. This includes the ability to effectively manage and organize various program activates and tasks, singularly and together, and familiarity with administrative requirements at the Command Level.\
  • Ability to assemble, compose, coordinate and track information for routine reports inquires and related correspondence.Knowledge of analytical and evaluative methods techniques to conduct surveys/studies, accomplish projects, and effectively evaluate results for the effective management and completion of program projects.


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.

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.

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.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

U.S. Northern Command

The mission of the United States Air Force is: To fly, fight, and win...Airpower anytime, anywhere. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. Core competencies and distinctive capabilities are based on a shared commitment to three core values -- integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide:

  • 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
  • AF DCIPS Interchange
  • AF Internal Employee
  • DoD Transfer (Excluding Air Force)
  • EO 12721 Certain Former Overseas Employees
  • EO 13473 Appointment of Certain Military Spouses
  • Former Federal Employees (Reinstatement)
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Employee
  • Military Spouse Preference
  • National Service (Peace Corps and VISTA)
  • Non-AF DCIPS Interchange
  • Non-Appropriated Fund
  • Non-DoD Transfer
  • Other (Interchange Agreements)
  • People with Disabilities, Schedule A
  • 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
  • Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction
  • Veterans Employment Opportunities Act

Agency contact information

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

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