Summary
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The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a mentor and instructor for Air Component Senior Leader Course, Combined Senior Staff Course and other senior-level developmental venues, delivering instruction on CFACC, DCFACC and COMAFFOR duties, responsibilities and operational considerations.
Duties
A Highly Qualified Expert - Senior Mentor serves as a mentor and instructor for Air Component Senior Leader Course, Combined Senior Staff Course, and other senior-level developmental venues, delivering instruction on CFACC, DCFACC, and COMAFFOR duties, responsibilities, and operational considerations. The mentor provides expert guidance on integrating a wide range of functional areas, including bomber integration, cyber, logistics, acquisitions, contracting, and experimental capabilities, ensuring instruction is relevant to modern command and control challenges. The role also includes mentoring Command and Control Warrior Advanced Course students by reviewing senior-level decision briefs and providing direct feedback to strengthen operational planning and better prepare planners to support Joint Force Commander requirements. In addition, the position serves as a senior mentor during Department-level, MAJCOM-level, and other major exercises and planning events, helping develop the operational and strategic decision-making skills of senior Air Force leaders. The mentor also supports command and control summits and senior mentor conferences to improve understanding of integrating complex operational capabilities across the force. Finally, the position advises General Officers at the HAF, MAJCOM, and NAF levels by refining decision-support materials, identifying gaps in content or context, assessing options, and highlighting key relationships necessary for effective operational and strategic decisions.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- U.S. Citizenship Required
- Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
- Position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Position requires the incumbent sign a Drug Testing letter and pass urinalysis testing prior to appointment.
- Must have or be able to obtain a TOP SECRET/SCI Security clearance
- EXECUTIVE PERSONNEL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT (Standard Form 278). Selected candidate must file this report in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
- Within the Department of War (DoW), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
- Disclosure of Political Appointments.
- Position will require incumbent to be available for other than normal duty hours to include weekends to support exercises and crises planning.
- Position requires travel under conditions specified in the DoW Joint Travel Regulations. Incumbent is expected to travel on short notice to attend high-level meetings.
- 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.
- Position may be subject to the post-government employment restrictions of Sections 207(a) and (f) of Title 18, United States Code.
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS: Eligibility will be based upon a clear showing the applicant has training, education and experience of the scope and quality sufficient to effectively carry-out the duties of the position.
Applicant must reflect superior technical qualifications demonstrated in the following:
TQ1: Must possess the General Officer level operational level expertise to provide expert experience-based mentoring, teaching, training, advice, and recommendations to senior military officers, staffs, and students as they participate in war games, warfighting courses, operational planning, operational exercises, and decision-making exercises.
TQ2: Must possess General Officer level understanding of command-and-control concepts, tactics, and weapon-system attributes to inform and advise senior military officers and staffs on future equipment, training, and organizational constructs at command and control conferences.
The ideal candidate for this position is a retired general officer with extensive command and operational experience in air component command and control, joint operations, and senior leader decision-making. The individual would possess demonstrated expertise in the roles, responsibilities, and authorities of the Combined Force Air Component Commander (CFACC) or Deputy CFACC (DCFACC) with the ability to translate that experience into relevant, candid, and practical mentorship for senior officers and future operational planners.
The ideal candidate would be capable of instructing and advising across the full range of air component considerations, including force presentation and integration, bomber operations, cyber, logistics, acquisition, contracting, experimentation, and other capabilities required to generate and employ combat power.
The candidate would have a record of successful leadership at operational and strategic levels, preferably including experience with Numbered Air Forces, MAJCOM, Headquarters Air Force, joint staffs, combatant commands, or comparable senior headquarters. The position requires mature judgment, professional stature, and the ability to assess complex operational problems, articulate the relative merits and risks of available options, and advise general officers on high-consequence decisions. The individual must be an effective instructor and mentor who can engage senior audiences during courses, exercises, planning events, command and control summits, and executive-level forums; provide clear, direct feedback; and tailor insights to the needs of the audience and the operational scenario.
Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills are essential. The candidate must be prepared to support courses, exercises, conferences, and senior-leader engagements on an irregular cycle. Exercise support occasionally requires work beyond normal duty hours.
Education
Education: A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is desired. A master's or advanced degree from an accredited institution is highly desired. An undergraduate technical degree or an advanced degree in either a technical or management field is highly desired.
Additional information
HQEs may be hired to mentor, lead, oversee, direct, manage, and or consult on DoD programs and initiatives, including high profile and fast track assignments. HQEs serve at the pleasure of the Appointing Official and may be terminated at any time.
Veterans' Preference: Does not apply.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Is not authorized.
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.
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.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applications will be evaluated against position requirements. Failure to meet position duties and qualifications will eliminate a candidate from further consideration.
Required Documents
In accordance with new OPM requirements to streamline hiring, applicants are no longer required to submit length application packages. Instead, the initial application will be resume-only, capped at two pages. This change streamlines the application process and more closely aligns with private industry practices.
A complete application includes the items specified below. If you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible.
APPLICATION DOCUMENTS: Some documents may not apply to all applicants. Please carefully review for applicability. Do not combine documents. Upload documents in pdf format.
1. Resume (Required): PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER. Your resume must be 2 pages in length (or less), type written, and formatted using no smaller than 1/2-inch margins, no smaller than 10-font, and uploaded as a pdf. Do not include borders, photos, or your social security number.
2. Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50 (Required):
- Current/Former SES Members: Must provide SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
- Current Federal Civil Service Employees: Must provide a copy of SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting status as a current Federal Civil Service employee.
3. Statement of Service/DD-214 (As applicable): Active Duty/Retired Service Members must submit a DD-214 or statement of service printed on command letterhead and signed by the command. The statement of service must provide the branch of service, rate/rank, all dates of service, the expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.).
4. Performance Appraisal (Optional): Applicants are encouraged to provide their most recent performance appraisal or equivalent performance evaluation document.
5. College transcript(s) (As applicable): Applicants must provide transcript(s) which demonstrate the acceptable combinations of education and experience as noted by OPM (if applicable). A copy is acceptable.
6. License(s) or certification(s) (As applicable): Applicants must provide copies of any licenses, certifications, or professional credentials required by the position (e.g. Bar membership, medical license, CPA certification, DAWIA certification, etc.) with their application.
* Applicants are responsible for providing documentation that supports the eligibility and qualification claims made in their resume and/or assessment questionnaire. Applicants must submit the applicable documents listed here and those listed with the eligibilities selected in the announcement questionnaire with the application package.
Applicants who do not provide supporting documentation that fully support their claims will not be referred to the hiring manager.
How to Apply
Please follow the below instructions to submit applications. Any applications received that do not include all of the required documents or do not meet format requirements will not be forwarded for consideration.
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/13/2026.
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.
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.
PREFERRED RESUME FORMAT: (Limit 5 pages/Times New Roman 12-font) (Do Not Use the USAJOBS Resume Builder) - Please submit a typewritten resume (upload as a PDF), including the following information:
Job Information: Announcement number (MRL2026-415278-2) and title of the position to which you are applying.
Personal Information: Full name, mailing address (with zip code), day and evening phone numbers (with area code) and complete e-mail address where you would like to receive correspondence regarding your application. **PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER**
Active-Duty/Retired Military: State highest rank held, date of promotion and date eligible to retire or date of retirement, (e.g., Colonel/June 2006/December 2014). NOTE: IAW 5 U.S.C. 3326, a 180-day waiver will be required for retired or retiring members of the armed forces during the period of 180 days immediately after retirement. Please note: you will be ineligible for consideration if your statement of service is not submitted with your application or it shows an expected discharge or release date greater than 120 days from the date of the submission of the certification.
Education: Educational information, including the name, city and state of colleges or universities you attended, as well as the type and year of any degree received. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For more information, you may refer to the following U.S. Department of Education website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
Work Experience: Give the following information for your paid and non-paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying: (Do not send job descriptions).
- Starting and ending dates (month and year)
- Job title (for government position, include civilian series and grade or military rank)
- Employer's name and address
- Supervisor's name and phone number, please indicate if we may contact your current supervisor
- Salary (current)
*Applicants should focus on recency of experience, hiring officials may consider experience over 10 years outdated.
References: Provide the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three individuals who can comment on your qualifications for this position. Please do not list supervisors already listed above.
This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please notify this office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.
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.