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FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
Air Mobility 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
05/14/2026 to 05/20/2026
Salary
$89,508 - $116,362 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Fort Smith, AR
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
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
5F-AFPC-12962100-275032-SLN
Control number
869254400

Duties

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The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as a Foreign Disclosure Officer (FDO), and unit corporate knowledge expert for foreign disclosure to plan, direct, and develop goals and objectives that integrate organization planning, programming, acquisition for assigned international programs.

Duties

  • The Foreign Disclosure Officer (FDO) serves as AFSAT expert for the release of classified and controlled unclassified weapons systems, technologies, and information to foreign governments and international organizations in support of Air Force, DoD, and international commercial programs.
  • In accordance with Air Force policy or export license provisos, ensures course, documents, and information proposed for export to foreign parties comply with National Disclosure Policy (NDP-1); the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR); and applicable DoD, Air Force, and AETC foreign disclosure policy and applicable Air Force Delegation of Disclosure Authority Letters (DDLs).
  • Implements National Disclosure Policy as outlined in SAF/IAPT and local AETC Foreign Disclosure instructions.
  • Reviews Foreign Visit System (FVS) visit request.
  • Develops official FDO correspondence, messages, items of interest, staff summaries, and talking papers relative to assigned programs.

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
  • 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.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.
  • Must possess, or obtain, and maintain a current passport.
  • Must meet the positive education/experience requirements as stipulated by US OPM for the 0130-occupation series
  • Employees must obtain and maintain current Foreign Disclosure Officer certification.
  • Must obtain the appropriate International Affairs Case Life Cycle Management certification level per established timelines and maintain certification through continuous training.
  • Must meet mandatory standards of experience and training and must participate in the squadron training plan.
  • Work may require extended/long-term and/or multiple travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft, or privately owned vehicle (POV).
  • Participation in annual Foreign Affairs career field Civilian Developmental Education process and programs is highly desired.
  • Completion of Intermediate Developmental Education (IDE), (ACSC, ACSC OLMP, OLC, DoD ELDP, etc.) within four years of accepting position is highly desirable.
  • It is highly desirable that the employee has familiarity of instructional and training system principles, practice, and techniques.

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, Professional and Scientific Positions, Foreign Affairs Series, 0130.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: Degree: major or equivalent, or a combination of courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in international law and international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; or 12 semester hours in one of the above disciplines and 12 semester hours in statistics/quantitative methods. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. Courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.
OR
EXPERIENCE: Four years of appropriate experience in one or more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs. Evaluation of Experience: Qualifying experience may have been through residence, study, teaching, business or commercial activities, military service, newspaper work, military or civil government activities, missionary or international relief work, or other experience in foreign countries.
AND
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

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 include knowledge and comprehensive understanding of the concepts, principles, and methods of policy and program development and US multinational strategic planning as they relate to security assistance and cooperative development programs at the DoD, USAF, and installation levels, with particular interests on the goals and objectives, administration, and implementation of the USG, DoD and USAF policies; Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of National Disclosure Policy and its implementation through the Air Force Foreign Disclosure Program; Knowledge of the program's guiding principles codified in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations; DoD and State Department policies; and Air Force, Air Education and Training Command and specific policies, directives and instructions governing the release of classified and unclassified, controlled military information; the establishment and management of various international programs supporting Foreign Military Sales, commercial weapon systems sales, and development and acquisition programs; and establishment and implementation of multinational agreements with foreign governments.

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 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 National Disclosure Policy (NDP-1) principles and how they are applied to issues relating to Foreign Military Sales and commercial exports of defense equipment, documents, instructions, and diagrams, technology, information, and assistance.
2. Knowledge planning, administering, and monitoring conference, visits, travel teams, and other multiple tasks associated with a high-ranking international audience.
3. Knowledge of general Air Force and specific foreign disclosure operations, politico-military affairs, Air Force operations, technologies used in military Command and Control systems, technologies used in military weapons systems, information and industrial security processes for classified material handling, MPEP procedures and guidance, and general management practices.
4. Knowledge to plan and implement an Air Force foreign disclosure program, and to understand and work effectively with an industry export compliance programs.
5. Skill to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, utilize tact and diplomacy to interpret and clarify information and guidance to Air Force and sister service financial and training program managers, training mission support technicians, USG officials, high-ranking foreign representatives of diverse cultures.
6. Ability to lead, review, and work complex technical material and U.S. industry with an understanding of cultural, socio-political, and economic dynamics to review and approve disclosure release or export to foreign entities.

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

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

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.


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.

Air Mobility 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:

  • 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
Little Rock AFB
1255 Vandenberg Drive
Ste 227
Little Rock AFB, AR 72009
US

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