Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

This position is serviced by: Central Salary Account.

The Civilian Strategic Leader Program (CSLP) is designed to develop strategic-level leaders. By participating in CSLP, high-potential senior leaders have the opportunity to expand their skills and gain a broader perspective of the DAF Enterprise. The duration of CSLP assignments is limited to 36 months.

This job is open to

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Clarification from the agency

THIS ANNOUCEMENT IS OPEN TO INTERNAL AIR FORCE EMPLOYEES ONLY

Duties

CSLP duties vary based on assignment, series, grade, and location, as determined by the Selection Board.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

U.S. Citizenship is required
Mobility agreement must be signed
Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance for the position selected. Some positions may require Top Secret/Special Sensitive Clearance.
If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. You may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS/OCONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
Position may require a Financial Disclosure (OGE-SF 450).
Position may be subject to random drug testing
The Civilian Strategic Leader Program (CSLP) is designed to develop strategic-level leaders.
Travel by regularly scheduled commercial or military conveyances IAW Joint Travel Regulations may be required in performance of TDY
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
Disclosure of Political Appointments
Some CSLP positions may be deemed key positions. Incumbents assigned to key positions must be removed from their military recall status if alternatives for filling the position during an emergency are not available.
Some CSLP positions may be designated as Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) controlled.
Some CSLP Position may be deemed Mission and/or Emergency Essential.
Registration in MyVector is required by applicants, supervisors, and endorsers. All applications must be submitted in MyVector by 13 Feb 2026 and endorsed by 06 Mar 2026.
Promotion Eligible: MUST be considered through a competitive process AND MUST apply through BOTH the USAJOBS announcement AND through MyVector. My Vector Deadline is no later than 13 Feb 2026.

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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, the specialized experience must have been at the GS-13 grade level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Applicants must have served at least 52 weeks at the GS-13/GS-14 or GS-15 or higher grade (or equivalent in an alternate pay system) within the Federal Civil Service to be considered for referral. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

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. Mastery and skill in applying knowledge of concepts, principles, and practices of planning and managing DoD programs in order to assess and resource complex operational requirements.

2. Knowledge of long-range and strategic planning methods and concepts.

3. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions and mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff of an organization through subordinate supervisors.

4. Knowledge of safety and security regulations, practices, and procedures.

5. Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy.

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

Assignment locations will be identified during the selection process and assignments are located worldwide (Conus and OConus).

PCS restrictions: An employee selected to make a PCS to a Civilian Strategic Leader Program assignment is restricted from making a second PCS for 12 months

Defense National Relocation Program may be Authorized

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may not be used.

Eligibility and Consideration Factors specifically for the CSLP:
>Must meet time in grade for promotion opportunities (non-waiverable)
>Must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution>At least 12 months of supervisory experience within the federal government (non-waiverable for installation level assignments)
>At least 12 months of supervisory experience within the federal government (non-waiverable for installation level assignments)

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. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

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.

CSLP is a Department of the Air Force (DAF) enterprise career development program and a component of the talent management strategy for strategic-level leaders. The overarching goal of CSLP is to develop selected GS-13s/14s/15s or equivalents through challenging leadership assignments with roles and responsibilities that have DAF enterprise and/or DoD-wide impact.

In July 2026, the Selection Board will convene to identify employees to participate in this experiential program and finalize selections in August 2026. The goal is to identify high-potential employees and select them for assignment levels that best suit their personal and professional goals and the needs of the Department of the Air Force. Once selected for CSLP, individuals become part of a candidate pool and remain in the pool for up to 24 months until selected for an assignment.

Every nominee is highly encouraged to contact their AFPC functional career field team (CFT) for specifics relating to being vectored for CSLP and the follow-on assignment process.

Application packages must be submitted by 13 Feb 2026 and endorsed by 06 Mar 2026 via MyVECTOR. Applications are pre-screened by the AFPC CSLP Program Management office. If eligibility criteria are met, packages are forwarded to respective functional CFT and Development Team (DT). All eligible employees that apply will be vectored by their appropriate DT, and final selections will be made by the Selection Board.

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.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The 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.

Applicants who meet the requirements for and apply as a non-competitive eligible that meet minimal qualifications and other requirements of this position, will be given consideration as a non-competitive candidate and will be referred unless blocked by an individual with priority/preference.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

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.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.

Online Application: Questionnaire
All applicants to this announcement require a two-step application process. Along with applying to this announcement, applicants must also apply for CSLP in the MyVector at https://myvector.us.af.mil/myvector system by 13 Feb 2026.
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. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".
Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1". Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2".
Promotion Consideration: If you wish to be considered as a promotion candidate and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirements. You will need to provide additional SF-50s which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-Grade, Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old).

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS:
Transcripts/Certifications/Licenses
Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.
Awards for Current Federal Civilian employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume.
Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s).

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

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/06/2026.

To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12860703

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp.

Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here.
For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume.
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 name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume.

2. A complete Application Questionnaire
3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name.
4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located 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.

Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

Agency contact information

Civilian Development

Phone: 800-525-0102
Email: afpc.dpzpe.civdevelopmentteam@us.af.mil

Next steps

Once your application package is received an acknowledgement email will be sent.

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application.Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility and qualifications for consideration. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.

To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select My Applications, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.

If you do not provide an email address, you are responsible for checking status updates and notifications in USAJOBS. Hard copy notifications will not be sent to you.

Civilian Strategic Leader Program (CSLP) Job in Location Negotiable After Selection