Instructional Systems Specialist

Clarification from the agency

All US Citizens

Serving as a Instructional Systems Specialist GS-1750-13 makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) team and mission. This position is located in the Office of the Associate Director for Training Ops (TOPS), Training Management Operations Directorate (TMO), eLearning and Training Analytics Division (ETA), eLearning and Evaluation Branch (EEB), located in Glynco, Georgia.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an Instructional Systems Specialist (ISS) responsible to oversee senior-level designer/developer/consultant and leader directly supporting research, design, development, evaluation, and implementation of training related initiatives within the eLearning and Training Analytics Division (ETA), Training Management Operations Directorate (TMO).

Typical duties include:

• Conducting training needs analyses, curriculum evaluations, and gap assessments for law enforcement professionals to ensure training programs align with mission objectives and address identified learning requirements.

• Designing, developing, and implementing innovative training programs across multiple delivery formats (eLearning, instructor-led, hybrid, and virtual-live), applying adult learning theories and instructional systems design principles to create high-quality instructional materials.

• Evaluating the effectiveness of training programs using established models (such as the Kirkpatrick model), collect and analyze data, and provide actionable recommendations to improve instructional quality and learner outcomes.

• Managing and coordinating project teams in the development, delivery, and quality assurance of training initiatives, ensuring timely completion of deliverables and adherence to established standards.

• Developing and delivering law enforcement training for international audiences, including engaging in international travel and collaborating with foreign law enforcement agencies to strengthen global training partnerships.

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• This is a non-bargaining unit position.
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state issued driver's license to conduct official government business.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (3N – Critical Sensitive, High Risk) security clearance.
• Travel of 50% or less may be required.
• Overtime may be required.
• Weekends and federal holidays may be required.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license to conduct official government business.
• This position requires you to have access, safeguard, and store classified national security information on a regular basis.

Qualifications

A resume must be no more than two pages. If an applicant's resume exceeds two pages, the USAJOBS database will not allow the application to be submitted. For additional assistance, please visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements

Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal government, performing duties such as:

• (1) Conducting training needs analyses to identify gaps in existing curricula, resulting in targeted recommendations that align training outcomes with mission objectives. (2) Leading the design and development of innovative training programs using adult learning theories, resulting in high-quality instructional materials that meet diverse learner needs across multiple delivery formats (i.e, eLearning, in-person, hybrid). (3) Evaluating training effectiveness using established models such as Kirkpatrick, resulting in actionable data-driven recommendations that enhance instructional quality. (4) Managing project teams in the implementation of training initiatives, resulting in timely completion of deliverables and consistent adherence to quality assurance standards.

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.

All requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement.

Re-employed annuitants' annual salaries will be reduced by the amount of their retirement annuity and by further cost of living increases. FERS retirees receiving a FERS annuity supplement must also be aware that, like social security benefits, their FERS annuity supplement is subject to an earnings test and may be reduced if the salary earned is more than the social security exempt amount of earnings. Additional information is available on OPM's website or by contacting OPM.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process, including the application, structured resume review and writing sample.

Structured Resume Review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. SMEs will review ONLY two (2) pages of your resume, starting at your work experience. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., links embedded in your resume will not be opened). Applicants passing the resume review will move on to the next phase of the assessment process.

Writing Sample: You must submit a writing sample with your application package. See Required Documents Section for instructions. The sample must be authentically written/prepared by the applicant. Plagiarized material and use of AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, etc) will be grounds for immediate disqualification and removal from further consideration.

We will review your two-page resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If met, we will use multiple assessments to place you in one of three categories based on your education, training, and experience demonstrating the following competencies:

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:

1. Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF), and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.
2. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPF's and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
3. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.

If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13008161

Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. (This position isconsidered scientific/professional.). Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference.

After FLETC completes its hiring, the resumes of the remaining candidates referred for selection consideration may be shared with other DHS Components and other federal agencies. During the application process, you may choose to opt-in if you would like your name, application material, and assessment results to be shared. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you continue to explore other job opportunity announcements.

1. Your resume (click the link for information on what to include). If you are a current or former Federal employee, your resume must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position held. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
2. Your responses to the job questionnaire. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13008161
3. Writing Sample:
   • Prompt: A new initiative seeks to expand virtual, asynchronous learning to relieve logistics bottlenecks in onsite training programs that blend classroom instruction with practical exercises in high-fidelity but finite venues. Central to this initiative is eFLETC, a Learning Management System managed by your division. You have access to subject-matter experts, a generic asset library, and a team able to create multimedia assets. Write a recommendation describing how e-learning concepts can be integrated into existing traditional law enforcement training while maintaining realism, engagement, and high training quality. Address design, delivery, assessment, and evaluation, and include considerations specific to law enforcement training (e.g., scenario realism, psychomotor skill practice, safety).
   • Audience: Senior management familiar with training operations. Your recommendation will be routed through your chain of command.
   • Length: 800-1000 words
   • Format: Upload a typed response as a .docx or .pdf. Use clear headings as needed. Do not include classified or sensitive operational details.
4. Is education required for this position? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution listing the college/university, degree confirmation date(s) and applicable courses. Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
5. Are you a veteran? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information.
6. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit the following:
   • A copy of your agency notice,
   • A copy of your most recent performance rating, and
   • A copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
7. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
   • Position title,
   • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee), Agency,
   • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

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