The United States Space Force (USSF) Headquarters (HQ) at the Pentagon is searching for a Chief of Civilian Policy and Management (NH-0201-04, GS-14/15 equivalent).
Description:
Are you a high-impact leader who thrives at the intersection of strategic human resources, cutting-edge technology, and national defense? As the Supervisory HR Specialist leading the USSF Performance Management Team, you will step into a pivotal, highly visible role where your daily decisions directly shape the careers and well-being of Guardians and civilian personnel across the Space Force. Operating with immense autonomy, you will serve as a trusted advisor to senior executive leadership-up to the Secretariat (SECAF) and Chief of Space Operations (CSO)-advocating for the critical talent management, evaluation, and promotion policies that keep our force agile, lethal, and world-class. On any given day, you will lead and mentor a high-performing, multi-disciplinary team, setting priorities and orchestrating daily operations to deliver seamless personnel support while navigating core Department of the Air Force systems like MilPDS, PRDA, WAPS, and PRISM to turn administrative data into strategic readiness. Whether you are resolving complex appeal and due-process cases, crafting executive-level briefs, streamlining workflows, or building critical relationships across HQ Air Force, USSF, and OPM, your work will be authoritative and highly influential as you combine your deep HR systems expertise with executive-level leadership to champion the workforce of the future and help us secure our nation's high ground.
The ideal candidate will possess substantial experience leading enterprise or major command-level human resource and performance management initiatives, specifically overseeing centralized evaluations, correction boards, and appeal or due-process activities. This role requires a deep operational background navigating and managing data within critical Department of the Air Force personnel systems-including MilPDS, PRDA, WAPS, and PRISM-combined with an in-depth knowledge of DoD, DAF, and Space Force human resource policies, talent management frameworks, and civilian and military personnel laws. The selected individual must have a demonstrated track record of strategic personnel advocacy, collaborating across high-level agencies such as HQ Air Force, USSF, DoW, and OPM, and translating complex policy into authoritative, corporate-level correspondence and briefs for senior executive leadership like the SECAF, CSO, and VCSO. Additionally, the position demands a mastery of continuous process improvement methodologies to streamline team workflows and eliminate structural barriers to mission accomplishment. Qualification requirements include a Bachelor's or Master's degree (or equivalent specialized military/civil service experience) in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Management, or Organizational Leadership, supplemented by formal technical training in DAF personnel databases, Change Management, or Lean Six Sigma, and the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
In-depth understanding of DoW Civilian Policy, including the ability to align organizational goals with strategic initiatives.
Comprehensive knowledge of organizational structure, functions, and interrelationships within a command environment.
Familiarity with DoW protocols, customs, and courtesies, as well as knowledge of military chain of command and operations.
Knowledge of legislative processes and the ability to coordinate with legislative bodies and respond to congressional inquiries.
Understanding of project management principles, including planning, execution, and monitoring of projects.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare speeches, presentations, and official documents.
Strong coordination skills to facilitate meetings, events, and strategic engagements.
Analytical skills to assess and interpret data, develop plans, and ensure accurate information flow.
Leadership skills to oversee and guide team activities, manage projects, and provide direction to staff.
Effective problem-solving skills to address issues, find solutions, and implement changes as needed.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to adapt to changing situations, handle unexpected challenges, and remain flexible in achieving objectives.
Keen attention to detail to ensure accuracy and completeness in all tasks and communications.
Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships, work collaboratively with diverse groups, and facilitate team efforts.
Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality at all times.
Employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments
This PRD has been classified based on projected duties or new mission requirements. The duties within this PRD may be reviewed for accuracy after 12 months.
Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed "Unscheduled Telework".
Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 25 days per year.
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/.
Incentive is authorized.
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.
This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first
Qualifications
The 0201 series does not have an individual occupational requirement that must be met. You can view the experience level requirements here.Please scroll down to the 3rd section titled Administrative and Management Positions.
Additional information
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.
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.
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.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here:
Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.
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.
Resume:You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:
Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
Job title
Detailed duties and accomplishments
Employer's name and address
Supervisor's name and phone number
Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
Hours per week
Salary, if applicable
Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses
College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.
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.
Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
Resume:You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:
Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
Job title
Detailed duties and accomplishments
Employer's name and address
Supervisor's name and phone number
Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
Hours per week
Salary, if applicable
Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses
College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.
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.
Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
