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SENIOR OFFICIAL INVESTIGATOR

Department of the Air Force
HQ USAF and Support Elements

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to conduct complaint analyses, inquiries and investigations of Air Force Senior Officials (General Officers, Senior Executive Service Civilians, and Political Appointees) as directed by the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and the Air Force Inspector General.


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
04/29/2026 to 05/13/2026
Salary
$169,279 - $220,065 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Arlington, VA
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
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
9L-AFPC-12950254-266746-AEA
Control number
867267800

Duties

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  1. Plan, organize and execute investigations of Air Force Senior Officials. Must perform critical analysis of stated allegations of misconduct and derive an investigative plan.
  2. Plan, organize and conduct analysis of complaints against Air Force Senior Officials. Receives, evaluates, and determines courses of action for incoming correspondence pertaining to complaints against Air Force Senior Officials.
  3. Plan, organize and execute inquiries into special interest areas as defined by the Secretary, Chief of Staff and/or The Inspector General of the Air Force.
  4. Serves as a SAF/IG representative regarding highly complex senior official investigative matters.

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
  • Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
  • 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.
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.
  • Incumbent must obtain and maintain a Government Travel card unless exempt.
  • This position meets the administrative exemption criteria for the Fair Labor Standards Act (5 CFR 551.206).

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Administrative and Management Positions for General Inspection Investigation Enforcement and Compliance Series, 1801.



SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-14, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes expert knowledge of Air Force organizations, functions, authorities and lines of command and how they relate to the legislative and executive branches of Government. Expert knowledge of Air Force and DoD administrative and investigative policies, procedures, techniques, practices; ability to analyze complaints to identify relevant issues; ability to analyze evidence, including ordering and weighing evidence, and the ability to draw sound conclusions to make appropriate recommendations. Knowledge of administrative report writing requirements. Comprehensive knowledge of the Joint Ethics Regulation; knowledge of the UCMJ and statutes especially related to 10 U.S.C. l 034 Whistleblower Protections. Must have the ability to identify matters requiring criminal investigation; knowledge of contracting law and regulations; and knowledge of personnel laws and regulations. Comprehensive knowledge of the requirements of the IG Act, the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act. Knowledge of MEO/EEO program principles and requirements to determine appropriate appellate channels for complaints in these areas. Knowledge of the AF general officer promotion process.


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-14 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-15 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. Mastery in conducting sensitive and complex administrative inquiries related to fraud, waste, and mismanagement, and a wide variety of matters of interest to regulations by senior officials related to programs and operations throughout the Air Force.
  2. Broad, current knowledge of Air Force organizations, functions, authorities, and lines of command and how they relate to the legislative and executive branches of Government. Knowledge must cut across the entire spectrum of Air Force programs, operations, and management.
  3. Comprehensive knowledge of the Joint Ethics Regulation; knowledge of the UCMJ and statutes especially relating to l 0 U.S.C. l 034 Whistleblower Protections. Must have the ability to identify matters requiring criminal investigation; some knowledge of contracting law and regulations; and knowledge of personnel laws and regulations.
  4. Knowledge of Air Force and DoD administrative and investigative policies, procedures, techniques, practices; ability to analyze complaints to identify relevant issues; ability to analyze evidence, including ordering and weighing evidence, and the ability to draw sound conclusions to make appropriate recommendations. Knowledge of administrative investigation report writing requirements.
  5. Knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity, Equal Opportunity and Treatment, Military Equal Opportunity, and Military and civilian personnel management policies.
  6. Ability to communicate complex issues clearly, concisely, and effectively, both orally and in writing with complainants, witnesses, and subjects using a high degree of diplomacy and understanding. Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision and guidance to meet established schedules for projects and issues, as well as, short notice and intense suspense to satisfy congressional, White House and senior Air Force leadership requirements.


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.

HQ USAF and Support Elements

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:

  • AF DCIPS Interchange
  • AF Internal Employee
  • Cyber Interagency Transfer Authority (CITA)
  • DoD Transfer (Excluding Air Force)
  • EO 13473 Appointment of Certain Military Spouses
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Employee
  • Military Spouse Preference
  • Non-AF DCIPS Interchange
  • 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
HQ USAF and Support Elements - Pentagon
1720 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330
US

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