The Provost and Chief Academic Officer (CAO) is an executive-level, Administratively Determined (AD), position responsible for advising sr. leadership on academic programs, strategic ops, and resource planning. CAO reports to the Director and leads AFIT's academic accreditation efforts. Primary liaison to the accrediting bodies, drives educational quality across all programs to meet rigorous national academic standards. CAO directs faculty development and academic governance.
Summary
The Provost and Chief Academic Officer (CAO) is an executive-level, Administratively Determined (AD), position responsible for advising sr. leadership on academic programs, strategic ops, and resource planning. CAO reports to the Director and leads AFIT's academic accreditation efforts. Primary liaison to the accrediting bodies, drives educational quality across all programs to meet rigorous national academic standards. CAO directs faculty development and academic governance.
The Chief Academic Officer is an executive-level, Administratively Determined (AD), federal civil service position, with a protocol grade equivalent to a brigadier general. The incumbent reports to the Institute's Director and Chancellor and performance duties as determined and directed by the Director and Chancellor.
Advises the Director and Chancellor, Director or Staff, school deans, Director of Civilian Institution Programs and staff directors on the full range of academic and related-support programs and activities.
Advises the Director of Civilian Institution Programs on the academic quality, relevance, affordability and other issues related to specific academic programs offered by civilian institutions at which AFIT-assigned students might be enrolled.
Advises on academic issues and impacts related to all Institute operations, including strategic planning, operational planning, validation and prioritization of requirements, allocation of resources (manpower, funding, infrastructure, etc) and preparation and executive of programs and budgets, IAW the DoW Planning, Programming, budgeting and Execution policies and systems.
Responsibilities
Assists the Director and chancellor and school deans in striving to achieve the highest standards of academic quality (teaching, research and service/consulting), in both advanced academic (graduate) education (AAE) and professional continuing education (PCE).
Serves as the Institute's lead for academic accreditation and reaccreditation, advising on policies and requirements for regional accreditation by the Higher Leaning Commission (HLC), degree/certificate accreditation by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and technology, Inc., (ABET), and PCE accreditation by the International Association of Continuing Education and Training, etc. Serves as the Institute's principal representative to, and liaison with, these accrediting organizations.
Represents the Institute with the Air University Board of Visitors.
Initiates and supports strategic engagement, collaboration and partnerships with other organizations, including other Air Force and DoW organizations; other federal agencies; civilian academic institutions; major command chief scientists and staff leads for education and training; Air Force and DoW Scientific Advisory Boards; Federally-funded Research and Development Centers, etc.
Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov.
Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays. Shift work and emergency overtime may be required.
Employee must maintain current certifications.
You will be required to serve a 2-year trial period.
Candidates are not required to have active-duty service or veterans' preference to be referred and considered. All qualified candidates who meet the recruitment assessment criteria will be referred to the selecting official.
The selected candidate will be subject to a security investigation leading to successful completion of a background investigation with a favorable adjudication. The selectee's failure to meet this requirement will be grounds for termination.
Essential qualities expected of every faculty member include the personal attributes of integrity, industry, cooperation, initiative, and breadth of intellectual interests.
Travel by military or commercial transportation to gather ideas for improving the curriculum, establish research contacts and agreements, conduct research, and present results of research may be required.
Appointment is under Schedule A appointing authority, Excepted Appointment Not-to-Exceed 5 years and may be renewed for an additional five years.
An initial appointment can be allowed to expire for an employee who does not adequately demonstrate professional competence.
Current Federal employees on a permanent or indefinite appointment will be required to have a minimum of 3-day break in service if selected.
This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service. This is an Administratively Determined position in the excepted service.
Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used.
PCS expenses if authorized will be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations.
This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random drug testing for drug use.
Employee must within 30 days of assuming this position and by 31 October annually thereafter, file and OGE-450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.
Requires a comprehensive understanding of, or the ability to quickly adapt to, military culture, organizations, and operations.
Disclosure of Political Appointments.
Qualifications
REQUIRED MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS:
An earned Doctorate degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics or other field of study relevant to the mission of AFIT.
Academic credentials that qualify the applicant for appointment at the academic rank of full professor, with tenure.
Five years of experience in significant academic administrative leadership and management positions at an accredited college or university.
The ability to communicate clearly and expertly (in English) both verbally and in writing is a must.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience in institutional or academic program accreditation/re-accreditation.
Experience in attracting government-sponsored grants for research projects or education programs and satisfactorily executing those projects/programs.
Experience in building partnerships with other academic institutions, both civilian academic institutions and government academic institutions.
Familiarity with the DoW e.g. its organization, policies, operations, etc.
Demonstrated commitment to excellence in both teaching and research.
Familiarity with emerging education technologies.
A record of innovation in academic administration.
Stature and exceptional achievement recognized by professional societies or other organizations.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with other senior academic and administrative leaders, faculty groups, individual faculty, support staff, education/research sponsors, et al.
Experience in assessing academic programs and recommending strategies and policies to improve them.
Separate statement addressing how the applicant meets all of the required qualifications (Mandatory Qualifications Statement).
Separate statement addressing how the applicant meets the desired qualifications.
Education
You MUST provide original copies of ALL OFFICIAL transcripts for degrees being pursued or obtained (or letter of degree completion if an OFFICIAL transcript is not available due to recent graduation) to support your educational claims as stated in your curriculum vitae. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Legible photocopies of OFFICIAL transcripts are acceptable for initial application submission. However, if selected, you will be required to provide (original) copies of your OFFICIAL transcripts. For a transcript to be considered OFFICIAL, it should be printed on university letterhead and the registrar's official seal/signature must appear on the transcript. Your transcripts must also reflect the degree awarded/conferred date. Transcripts labeled UNOFFICIAL will not be accepted.
Note: Ensure you include ALL transcripts to support your educational claims as stated in your curriculum vitae (resume) even if not required for this position.
FOREIGN EDUCATION:
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the educational requirements. However, you must show proof that the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying in the form of an "official" statement of U.S. equivalency from a Department of Education approved (non-federal) agency (i.e. AICE, NACES), who will complete a U.S. Standard of Education Conversion.
Additional information
This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service. Late applications from veterans will not be accepted for faculty positions. Late applications for veterans only apply when filling positions in the competitive service.
Individuals who are eligible for Schedule A, 213.3102(u) appointments cannot be referred under the Air Force Selective Placement Program process for faculty positions. Schedule A applicants must email a completed application package to the address specified in the "How to Apply" section and it must be received by the closing date of the announcement. Late or incomplete application packages will not be considered.
As a condition of employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For additional information click here.
Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required by PL 104-134 to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoW Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.
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.
Application materials become the property of AFIT and WILL NOT be returned.
Applications submitted under this announcement will be considered ONLY for this vacancy.
Travel and relocation expenses WILL be paid.
If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.
Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. The law made taxable certain reimbursements and other payments, including driving mileage, airfare and lodging expenses, en-route travel to the new duty station, and temporary storage of those items. The Federal Travel Regulation Bulletin (FTR) 18-05 issued by General Services Administration (GSA) has authorized agencies to use the Withholding Tax Allowance (WTA) and Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) to pay for "substantially all" of the increased tax liability resulting from the "2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" for certain eligible individuals. For additional information on WTA/RITA allowances and eligibilities, please visit: https://www.gsa.gov/cdnstatic/FTR%20Bulletin%2018_05%20Relocation%20Allowances_0.pdf
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants possessing the required qualifications as contained within this announcement will be evaluated and ranked by a Panel based on the extent to which their experience and education relate to the requirements of the position. The panel will then make a recommendation of those Best Qualified candidates who should be referred to the selecting official, in priority order. Final selection is contingent upon the approval from the Secretary of the Air Force.
An incomplete package will result in non-consideration of your application.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The following documents are required and must be received by the closing date of the announcement.
Letter of application (cover letter) (Required)
(Required) Resume: If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume may be submitted in any format. For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., hour per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). Resumes that do not contain this information may be marked as insufficient and applicants may not receive consideration for this position. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".
or
Curriculum Vitae: You must submit a curriculum vitae (no length restrictions), and it must contain detailed information in the following areas, as appropriate (Required):
Addressing your executive leadership or command level experience.
Transcripts - This position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with 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. (Required)
List of three professional references (to include name, complete mailing address and phone number) (Required - may be in Resume or CV)
Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your professional work is (Highly Desired)
Veterans' preference documents, if applicable (i.e. DD-214, SF-15, Veterans Affairs letter for federal employment) (If applicable)
U.S. Equivalency from a Department of Education approved (non-federal) credentialing agency (i.e. AICE, NACES), who will complete a U.S. Standard of Education Conversion for education completed in foreign colleges or universities. (If applicable)
Separate Mandatory Qualification Statement (Required)
Separate Senior Professional Qualifications statement addressing the following: (Required)
Contributions
Leadership
Professional Stature
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You must submit your application so that it will be received by the closing date of the announcement, 07/31/2026.
Faxed. mailed or incomplete applications WILL NOT be accepted or considered -- NO EXCEPTIONS.
Applications mailed by government employees using "official" government postage or through an internal federal government mail system WILL NOT be accepted or considered.
A complete application package will include a letter of application (cover letter), curriculum vitae, statement of citizenship, legible copies of ALL OFFICIAL transcripts. A Doctoral/Master's/Bachelor's degree is required, but ALL OFFICIAL transcripts must be provided for ALL degrees being pursued or obtained as stated in your curriculum vitae, and a list of three professional references (to include names, complete mailing addresses, and telephone numbers) are required. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your professional work is highly desired.
An incomplete package will result in non-consideration of your application.
IMPORTANT: A statement indicating your country of citizenship (i.e. "I am a citizen of _______.") is required to be included on your cover letter or curriculum vitae.
If you are claiming veterans' preference, please provide basic eligibility information in your cover letter. Also include in your application a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) and, if disabled, a completed SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference), along with a letter for federal employment from the Department of Veterans Affairs indicating your service-connected disability rating.
IF APPLICABLE: An active duty military member's statement of service/certification letter will be accepted in lieu of a DD-214. The statement/certification letter can be obtained from your servicing military personnel office and must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate your rank, dates of active duty service, and type of discharge/character of service (i.e. honorable). Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military separation, if member is on terminal leave, and if applicable, with the appropriate 180-day approved waiver.
AF Senior Executive Management
1040 Air Force Pentagon Room 4D
Washington, DC 20330
US
Next steps
Upon candidate selection, all applicants will be notified of their selection/non-selection status. Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy And gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a Case-by-Case basis.
A reasonable accommodation is any change in the workplace or the way things are customarily done that provides an equal employment opportunity to an individual with a disability. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) must provide reasonable accommodations:
When an applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to compete For a job;
When an employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job or To gain access to the workplace; And
When an employee with a disability needs an accommodation to enjoy equal access to benefits and privileges of employment (e.g., details, trainings, office-sponsored events).
The following documents are required and must be received by the closing date of the announcement.
Letter of application (cover letter) (Required)
(Required) Resume: If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume may be submitted in any format. For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., hour per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). Resumes that do not contain this information may be marked as insufficient and applicants may not receive consideration for this position. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".
or
Curriculum Vitae: You must submit a curriculum vitae (no length restrictions), and it must contain detailed information in the following areas, as appropriate (Required):
Addressing your executive leadership or command level experience.
Transcripts - This position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with 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. (Required)
List of three professional references (to include name, complete mailing address and phone number) (Required - may be in Resume or CV)
Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your professional work is (Highly Desired)
Veterans' preference documents, if applicable (i.e. DD-214, SF-15, Veterans Affairs letter for federal employment) (If applicable)
U.S. Equivalency from a Department of Education approved (non-federal) credentialing agency (i.e. AICE, NACES), who will complete a U.S. Standard of Education Conversion for education completed in foreign colleges or universities. (If applicable)
Separate Mandatory Qualification Statement (Required)
Separate Senior Professional Qualifications statement addressing the following: (Required)
Contributions
Leadership
Professional Stature
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You must submit your application so that it will be received by the closing date of the announcement, 07/31/2026.
Faxed. mailed or incomplete applications WILL NOT be accepted or considered -- NO EXCEPTIONS.
Applications mailed by government employees using "official" government postage or through an internal federal government mail system WILL NOT be accepted or considered.
A complete application package will include a letter of application (cover letter), curriculum vitae, statement of citizenship, legible copies of ALL OFFICIAL transcripts. A Doctoral/Master's/Bachelor's degree is required, but ALL OFFICIAL transcripts must be provided for ALL degrees being pursued or obtained as stated in your curriculum vitae, and a list of three professional references (to include names, complete mailing addresses, and telephone numbers) are required. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your professional work is highly desired.
An incomplete package will result in non-consideration of your application.
IMPORTANT: A statement indicating your country of citizenship (i.e. "I am a citizen of _______.") is required to be included on your cover letter or curriculum vitae.
If you are claiming veterans' preference, please provide basic eligibility information in your cover letter. Also include in your application a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) and, if disabled, a completed SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference), along with a letter for federal employment from the Department of Veterans Affairs indicating your service-connected disability rating.
IF APPLICABLE: An active duty military member's statement of service/certification letter will be accepted in lieu of a DD-214. The statement/certification letter can be obtained from your servicing military personnel office and must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate your rank, dates of active duty service, and type of discharge/character of service (i.e. honorable). Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military separation, if member is on terminal leave, and if applicable, with the appropriate 180-day approved waiver.
AF Senior Executive Management
1040 Air Force Pentagon Room 4D
Washington, DC 20330
US
Next steps
Upon candidate selection, all applicants will be notified of their selection/non-selection status. Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy And gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a Case-by-Case basis.
A reasonable accommodation is any change in the workplace or the way things are customarily done that provides an equal employment opportunity to an individual with a disability. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) must provide reasonable accommodations:
When an applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to compete For a job;
When an employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job or To gain access to the workplace; And
When an employee with a disability needs an accommodation to enjoy equal access to benefits and privileges of employment (e.g., details, trainings, office-sponsored events).
