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FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
Air Education and Training 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
05/20/2026 to 06/02/2026
Salary
$108,001 - $140,403 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Randolph AFB, TX
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
9P-AFPC-12966798-271942-CBS
Control number
869957000

Duties

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Summary:

The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as a Training Program Manager and Government Flight Representative (GFR) concerned with developing and implementing training programs and aviation safety for international customers and provides Air Force rated aviator experience. The individual performs a wide range of duties associated with the acquisition and oversight of training programs coupled with sales of a range of weapons systems by the USAF under the Security Cooperation and Security Assistance (SC/SA) Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs, consistent with U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives.

Duties:

  1. The employee will serve as a Training Program Manager (TPM) and Government Flight Representative (GFR) for Security Assistance/Security Cooperation (SA/SC) training programs.
  2. The TPM/GFR serves as a training subject matter expert (SME).
  3. Applies aviation training principles and job experience to manage and review the development or revision of instructional materials for international customers.
  4. As a senior specialist with significant international program responsibility, the TPM/GFR accomplishes major special projects as assigned.
  5. Develops official correspondence, messages, items of interest, staff summaries, and talking papers related to assigned programs, plans, additional duties, and special projects as directed.

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.
  • Employee must have had rated experience as a US military officer or USG civilian aviation flight position.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • After hiring, employee must complete all DMCA-MAN 8210-2 directed Government Flight Representative (GFR) training.

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:
Education: 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.

OR
Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown in above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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. For qualifying experience at the GS-12 or above click here to view occupational requirements for this position:

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 meet the basic requirements for the GS-0130-13 or above and I have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 (or higher) grade level or equivalent in other pay systems (may have been obtained in the military, public or private sector). Examples of specialized experience include- Expert level knowledge and have mastered skills typically acquired as rated aviator (pilots, navigators, flight instructors, etc.) to develop and administer regulations and safety standards pertaining to the operation of aircraft; Expert-level knowledge of the International/Foreign Affairs Security Assistance Management Manual and associate responsibilities of a Training Program Manager (TPM) as a USAF's subject matter expert and primary point of contact for planning and executing of assigned Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case(s) including acquisition, contracting milestones, programming, logistics, finance, student monitoring requirements, tracking program(s), and training development; Expert/mastery level knowledge of DOD, USAF, and organizational policies, goals, objectives, and directives as applicable to foreign assistance laws and statutory requirements associated with Security Cooperation goals and objectives as they apply to plan, obtaining, and executing international student training contracts; Expert/mastery level knowledge and familiarity with instructional principles and techniques required to make effective training program recommendations; Knowledge of agency program goals and objectives as concerns International Affairs and Air Force Security Assistance Training; Knowledge of relationships with other programs and key administrative support functions within the agency; Knowledge with planning, scheduling, and conducting short- and long-range student training production while applying analytical techniques to evaluate and improve effectiveness and efficiency to optimize training pipelines and/or tracks to meet partner nation's needs; Knowledge of procedures for the development, coordination, and transmission of planning for the formulation of Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) to include cost, schedule, and availability of DoD contractor provided training; Knowledge of the training requirements definition process, the FMS process, the federal acquisition process and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and of the input required for development, implementation, line management, execution, and closure of FMS training cases; Knowledge of IMS administration while in USAF training in the U.S., the various training sources available to these students, and the validation process for FMS, and the various Grant program training requirements; and Expert knowledge of office computer software applications used in the preparation of word documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. NOTE: This experience MUST be well documented on your resume or application package.

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:

  1. Knowledge of USG International/Foreign Affairs objectives, Arms Export Control Act (AECA), and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) processes, and/or understanding of international relations policy objectives within Security Assistance/Cooperation Programs.
  2. Knowledge of military rated aviator or USG civilian aviation position (e.g. pilot, navigator) expertise as it applies to assigned airpower programs and weapon systems.
  3. Knowledge and technical skill to develop, analyze, and evaluate training options within the legal scope of an FMS program and diplomatically communicate complex plans to USG and international stakeholders.
  4. Knowledge of the procedures for the development, coordination, and planning for the formulation of Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) to include cost, schedule, and availability of DoD or contractor provided training options.
  5. Ability to analyze and coordinate FMS cases for specific requirements, within USG and DoD regulatory policy, for money, manpower, materiel, facilities, and services needed to support the program and when necessary apply the federal acquisition process for development, implementation, line management, execution, and closure of FMS training cases. Ability to use office computer software applications in the preparation of word documents, spreadsheets, and presentations; ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically in written and oral mediums.
  6. Ability to work complex project management issues with foreign governments, their military, and U.S. industry with an understanding of cultural, socio-political, and economic dynamics.
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.

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.

Air Education and Training 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
  • Cyber Interagency Transfer Authority (CITA)
  • 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
JBSA Randolph AFB
550 D Street East
JBSA Randolph AFB, TX 78150
US

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