IT SPECIALIST (PLCYPLN)(T32) Job in Birmingham, AL

Vacancy No. AL-12753194-AF-25-081 Department Air National Guard Units
Salary $74,532.00 to $96,887.00 Grade 11 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/22/2025 Close Date 8/21/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Birmingham, AL


Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

This National Guard position is for a IT SPECIALIST (PLCYPLN)(T32), Position Description Number D2176P01 and is part of the AL 117TH Air Refueling Wing, National Guard.

ORGANIZATION: 117TH COMMUNICATIONS SQUADRON, BIRMINGHAM, AL
SELECTING OFFICIAL: CAPT T. SHARP

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Title 32 CAT 1- All on board Federal Employees/Technicians within the ALANG (T32 and T5, Permanent and Excepted Indefinite) CAT 2- Current Air DSG and Temporary Technicians within ALANG CAT 3- Applicants willing to become NG T32 DS Technicians and gain ALANG membership, all current federal employees, all U.S. Citizens

Duties

This position is located in the Plans and Resources section of a Base Communications unit. This is an Air National Guard (ANG) Dual Status Technician position requiring military membership, compatible military skill assignment, and classification. The purpose of this position is to serve as a technical advisor to local base information technology (IT) and communications users in the area of policy and plans as related to IT and communications systems. This involves planning, development, management, and enforcement of approved ANG and local information technology (IT) and communications architecture. Serves as the lead manager of IT and communications projects, acquisition and control of equipment and services at Flying Wing, tenants and geographically separated units if assigned. Sixty percent of the work performed involves Information Technology issues and systems with the remaining forty percent involving telecommunications specific issues and systems.

1. Information Technology Planning: (30%)
(a) Analyzes requirements and establishes plans of action for improving IT applications. Analyzes existing and planned IT applications, both hardware and software, to determine current and future potential for enhancements. Based upon the organization's goals and objectives, an assessment of available resources, and extrapolation of cost benefit analysis data, recommends adjustments to IT priorities to meet changing business needs, program plans, goals and objectives. Develops project plans to meet those needs by identifying problem areas and considering a variety of possible solutions and alternatives. Analyzes existing systems to determine if enhancements are appropriate or if an entirely new system would be more cost effective.

(b) Performs as plans and policy advisor to functional users of information technology. Develops and interprets policy for administering IT systems. Assesses policy needs and reviews, revises, and develops policies to govern IT activities and presents recommendations to higher-level management. Where necessary, modifies established plans and policies in response to changes in legislation or other directives. Through feasibility studies, assesses impact of changes on current programs and recommends changes to existing plans to ensure compliance. This includes long range planning, and involves defining current and future business requirements.

Telecommunications Planning: (30%)

Plans and develops methods, procedures, policies, and techniques concerning telecommunication systems. Performs work involved in developing, refining, and complying with telecommunications systems planning and policy direction including short- and/or long-range planning. Develops planning documentation, reviews requests for communication services, prepares budgetary justifications, coordinates the allocation of resources, designs networks/systems, prepares/reviews equipment and facility specifications, monitors/resolves technical communications problems, and/or conducts operational acceptance tests.

3. General IT and Communications Planning and Resourcing: (30%)

(a) Implements IT and communications programs and special projects. Implements various IT and communications programs. Updates documentation and maintains listings of all authorized equipment for assigned programs. Performs annual inventories. Performs special staff and/or feasibility studies and economic analysis. May serve on committees or planning groups concerned with future systems, plans, and policy.

(b) Assists with contracting functions and budget preparation. Upon completion of feasibility studies and other projects designed to identify functional needs and changing business requirements for advancements in technology, prepares budgetary data for inclusion in financial plans in support of programs and projects. Based upon findings, recommends funding priority adjustments to meet new business needs. Conducts periodic analysis of projects and their funding for consistency with overall IT and communications architecture and infrastructure and how they contribute to meeting business requirements.

(c) Attends meetings and presents briefings. Participates in discussions, meetings, conferences, committees or special projects. Analyzes areas of concern, identifies problems, and resolves conflicts through persuasive discussions with management and user representatives. Consults with base officials and working groups, customers and other organization personnel on IT and communications concerns. Prepares reports encompassing long and short range planning strategy recommendations, and presents briefings covering recommendations for acquisition or changes in business practices through enhanced IT use.

4. Adheres to management control plan requirements by conducting self inspection and staff assistance visits. Resolves identified discrepancies. (10%)

5. Performs other duties as assigned.

PLEASE CONTACT HRO FOR COMPLETE POSITION DESCRIPTION.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact a National Guard recruiter prior to applying for this position.
  • This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the employing state's National Guard, required prior to the effective date of placement.
  • Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform.
  • Applicants who are not currently a member of the National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership and employment in the National Guard in the military grade listed in this announcement.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
  • May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime may be required.

Qualifications

MILITARY REQUIREMENTS: This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military grade in the Alabama Air National Guard. Applicants who are not currently a member of the Alabama Air National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact an Alabama Air National Guard recruiter at (800) 864-6264 prior to applying for this position.

MINIMUM MILITARY RANK: A1C
MAXIMUM MILITARY RANK: TSGT

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Each applicant must fully substantiate (in his/her own words) that he/she meets the requirements of the Specialized Experience listed below: Otherwise, the applicant will be considered unqualified for this position. DO NOT COPY THE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT OR THE POSITION DESCRIPTION. DOING SO MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION FOR THE POSITION.

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Experience may have been gained in work such as computer operator or assistant, computer sales representative, program analyst, or other positions that required the use or adaptation of computer programs and systems.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 1-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade. In addition to the OPM IORs (Alternative A) specialized experience examples, specialized experience includes experience, education, or training that approaches techniques and requirements appropriate to an assigned computer applications area or computer specialty area in an organization. Experience planning the sequence of actions necessary to accomplish the assignment where this entailed coordination with others outside the organizational unit and development of project controls. Experience that required adaptations of guidelines or precedents to meet the needs of the assignment. Experience preparing documentation on cost/benefit studies where is involved summarizing the material and organizing it in a logical fashion.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
--Knowledge of a wide range of IT principles, concepts, methods, advancements, policies, design, development, testing and applications, both hardware and software sufficient to assess the organization's IT business requirements.

--Knowledge of the organization's policy and planning formulation process along with its missions, goals, and objectives to prepare IT polices and plans.

--Knowledge of organizational acquisition requirements, budgetary techniques, and financial status sufficient to identify needs and recommend adjustment of IT funding priorities.

--Knowledge of management requirements sufficient to render recommendations on development of new software versus purchase of off-the-shelf programs.

--Knowledge of systems architecture, integration techniques, and testing methods sufficient to conduct feasibility studies.

--Ability to develop IT policies and plans and to assess impact of changed policy on the organization's current IT plans and programs.

--Ability to perform feasibility studies, perform cost analysis review, develop investment plans, and recommend a best course of action along with suitable alternatives.

--Ability to review and consult on IT and communications related contracts and to serve as a technical representative on IT and communications systems and service contracts.

--Ability to stay well informed on rapidly changing technology, to evaluate its possible impact on organization missions, and to develop plans to satisfy requirements.

--Knowledge of a wide range of communications concepts, principles, and practices. Work encompasses complex and uncommon interfaces and policies and practices; sources of technical data to evaluate new devices, proposals, and approaches; and a practical understanding of contracting procedures and legal requirements.

--Knowledge of DoD and Air Force communications regulations, services, and instructions to ensure telecommunications services are in compliance with applicable regulations and instructions.

--Knowledge of operational and performance characteristics of telecommunications to develop procedures/policies/practices for local use.

--Knowledge of commonly used practices, guides, and a broad range of operating techniques concerning both standard and unique communications systems design installation and concept of operations.

--Knowledge of the DoD and Air Force budgetary system/legal requirements and how they apply to planning and programming of communications systems.

--Ability to review, analyze, and resolve difficult and complex technical problems involving systems compatibility, both installation-wide and external interoperability, circuits, switches, distribution, satellite linkages, and networking.

--Ability to develop and apply policies, methods, procedures, and techniques in communications system design and installation to operating situations and problems resolution.

Education

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

or

3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your Educational claims. To receive credit for Education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the Education requirements for this position.

Additional information

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).

**This position may be authorized a recruitment or relocation incentive for up to 25%. All incentives must be approved prior to the employee in processing.**

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.

Benefits

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.

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Required Documents

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

1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.) of employment and duties performed.

2. Other supporting documents: SF-50s, transcripts and DD 214s are recommended, but not required.

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

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12753194

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

TRAVELL SHARP
Address
AL 117TH Air Refueling Wing
5401 East lake blvd
Birmingham, AL 35217-3595
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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