CHIEF OF APPLIED BIOEFFECTS AND DIRECTED ENERGY SCIENCES - DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY Job in Fort Sam Houston, TX

Vacancy No. AFMC-13005569-KAS-FLYER Department Department of the Air Force - Agency Wide
Salary $157,830.00 to $195,157.00 Grade 4 to 4
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/13/2026 Close Date 7/22/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Fort Sam Houston, TX


CHIEF OF APPLIED BIOEFFECTS AND DIRECTED ENERGY SCIENCES - DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY

Department of the Air Force
Department of the Air Force - Agency Wide
Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), 711th Human Performance Wing (711 HPW)

Summary

The Air Force offers qualified applicants opportunities to be hired for certain occupations covered by Direct Hire Authorities (DHA). The use of DHA is a fast-track method of hiring applicants from the public with no prior federal status using a non-traditional method of recruitment.

To find additional information on "What Is DHA" and to view and/or apply to current DHA opportunities listed on Air Force Civilian Service's "Direct Hire Job Board", please click here.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from U.S. Citizens (U.S. citizenship required at time of application).

Duties

  • The primary purpose of this position is to lead and manage a highly complex, multidisciplinary workforce of both military and civilian personnel.
  • Directs comprehensive science and technology programs aimed at protecting against and exploiting the bioeffects of battlefield stressors to optimize Airman performance and combat survivability.
  • Oversees critical research operations, business processes, and infrastructure, including the Tri-Service Research Lab, ensuring seamless operational support for highly specialized research, development, testing and evaluation activities
  • Guides research, development, test, and evaluation efforts to predict and mitigate radio frequency radiation bioeffects, thereby optimizing the safety and efficacy of directed energy applications.
  • Advances solutions to counter optical hazards and exploit offensive electro-optics technologies, enabling forces to function safely and effectively on the directed energy battlefield
  • Ensures quality scientific investigation and transition of data to support national and international science based occupational exposure standards.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Situational Telework may be authorized.
  • 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/
  • Selectee is expected to be granted with and/or maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position.
  • This position may require drug testing and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon selection.
  • Supervisory requirements may be required
  • For additional information on direct hire opportunities with the Air Force please go to https://afciviliancareers.com/find-a-job/
  • This Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) will be used to form a pool of qualified applicants who will be considered for direct hire vacancies as they become available.
  • Selectee may be required to serve a 3-year probationary OR 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.
  • Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • Recruitment incentives may/may not be authorized.
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
  • Employee must maintain current certifications
  • Relocation costs or other incentives may be available and considered by the organization.
  • The selectee must, within 30-days of assuming this position and by 31 October annually thereafter, file an OGE-450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report. Employee is required to attend annual ethics and procurement integrity training.
  • The position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • This is an acquisition coded position. Selectee must complete required certification level 2 Practitioner Engineering and Technical Management within 5 years of assignment.
  • The selectee may be required to serve a 1 year supervisory probationary period

Qualifications

For additional information on direct hire opportunities with the Air Force please click here.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: This is an interdisciplinary position, which means that the duties and responsibilities of the position relate to the General Biological Scientist (0401), General Engineer (0801), and General Physical Scientist (1301) fields. All applicants must meet the education and experience requirements of at least one of the series AND the specialized experience requirement in order to qualify.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:
GENERAL BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST, DR-0401-04

Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Group Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions. To qualify for this position, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the DR-3 (GS-14) broadband. Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Click on the following link to view qualification requirements for this position: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF
to include the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the General Biological Scientist, DR-0401-04. Click on the following to view occupational requirements for this position: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/general-natural-resources-management-and-biological-sciences-series-0401/

GENERAL ENGINEER, DR-0801-04
Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Group Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions. To qualify for this position, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the DR-3 (GS-14) broadband. Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Click on the following link to view qualification requirements for this position:
https://
www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF

to include the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the General Engineer, DR-0801-04. Click on the following link to view occupational requirements for this position:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-
standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf


GENERAL PHYSICAL SCIENTIST, DR-1301-04
Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Group Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions. To qualify for this position, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the DR-3 (GS-14) broadband. Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Click on the following link to view qualification requirements for this position:
https://
www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF

to include the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the General Physical Scientist, DR-1301-04. Click on the following link to view the occupational requirements for this position: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/general-physical-science-series-1301/

COMPETENCIES:
Your qualifications will also be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, and abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Problem Solving, Communication, Technology Management, and Teamwork and Leadership.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If 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. 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

Please note: Positions in this field/series may or may not be available, depending on current manning. For the most up-to-date notifications on available positions, we recommend candidates subscribe and complete their profile here, indicating their position and location preferences.

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.

Review our 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.

For additional information on direct hire opportunities with the Air Force please click here.

Required Documents

Resume: Your resume 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 is illegible/unreadable.

For additional information on direct hire opportunities with the Air Force please click here.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

How to Apply

For additional information on direct hire opportunities with the Air Force please click here.

Click APPLY NOW to complete an application and upload resume (PDF or Word Doc) and/or additional documents (Transcripts, certifications, Vet Docs (DD214), SF-50).

To receive additional information about current and future job openings with AFCS via email notification, please register at www.Afciviliancareers.com and sign up to "Get Career Updates."

Equal Opportunity Employer. U.S. citizenship required. Must be of legal working age.

Agency contact information

Alexander Weiser
Email
alexander.weiser@us.af.mil
Address
EHA DHA
550 C Street West
JBSA Randolph AFB, TX 78150
US

Next steps

For additional information on direct hire opportunities with the Air Force please click here.

Department of the Air Force - Agency Wide

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) will be used to form a pool of qualified applicants who will be considered for direct hire vacancies as they become available.

Join our team of science and engineering professionals in providing world-class leadership for the US Air Force and US Space Force!

The Air Force Research Laboratory, 711 Human Performance Wing, Human Effectiveness Directorate, Bioeffects Division seeks to hire a Bioeffects Division Chief at Fort Sam Houston, TX. The primary purpose of this position is to lead and manage a highly complex, multidisciplinary workforce of both military and civilian personnel.

Agency contact information

Alexander Weiser
Email
alexander.weiser@us.af.mil
Address
EHA DHA
550 C Street West
JBSA Randolph AFB, TX 78150
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Department of the Air Force - Agency Wide, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://afciviliancareers.com/