Summary
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.
The primary purpose of this position is to ??provide developmental experience designed to broaden the skills and/or enhance the leadership perspective of an identified high-potential, mid-level manager/executive; it is not a continuing position and assignment duration 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
Internal Permanent Air Force Employees in the Operations Career Field Only
Duties
DUTY 1:
Performs career broadening duties as the Air Force expert for strategy, planning and programming process (SP3) to develop strategy, policy, and planning and programming guidance. Conducts a broad range of highly complex qualitative and quantitative analyses on programs, policies, and issues that have major impact on Air Force and national defense policy. Interprets policies, synthesizes analytic perspectives, and applies directives to develop strategic planning and programming guidance; develops strategic planning procedures and establishes alternative ways to achieve the best mix of capabilities and forces within fiscal constraints. Develops and supports the full range of strategic planning products and activities including Air Force Policy Directive 90-11, Strategic Planning Guidance, Plan to Program Guidance, Resource Allocation Plans, Core Function Master Plans.
DUTY 2:
Prepares and presents briefings suitable for the CSAF and SECAF; briefings may be controversial, highly subjective and not readily susceptible to verification until actual operational situations are encountered. Prepares reports, responses to queries, justifications and background papers on the technical aspects of areas of expertise and assignment. Represents the organization on working groups, steering groups, or other meetings, conferences, seminars, etc. with the Joint Staff, OSD and MAJCOMs. May chair such groups or meetings when the meeting is in the incumbent's area of assignment. Hosts meetings with MAJCOM representatives to discuss/resolve long range strategic planning concepts and other issues of common interest.
DUTY 3:
Maintains a continuous liaison with other Air Staff, other service headquarters counterparts, and DOD offices to integrate Air Force strategy, planning and programming actions. Provides results of studies, analyses, and evaluations to counterpart agencies to share experiences and thereby improve overall defense level planning in areas of assignment. Promotes interchange of information on requirements, capabilities, deficiencies, and technology applications in the area of specialization. Generates recommendations for new programs, policies, doctrine, strategies, studies and approaches, and advises high level managers of advantages and disadvantages of different approaches. Evaluates impact of new technologies on current systems, policies, and operational doctrine. Conducts feasibility studies to assess Air Force and MAJCOM capabilities to support plans. Plans for the involvement of other DOD activities, coordinating with them to resolve different viewpoints regarding key matters and to ensure continuity of joint planning efforts. Leverages access to applicable planning data to develop/recommend modifications to system or programs around doctrine, tactics, and concepts of operation. Provides guidance and assistance to MAJCOMs, and establishes policies for Air Force strategy, planning and programming. Serves as an authority and consultant to other organizations, to MAJCOMs, and agencies in assigned areas of responsibility. Analyzes problems discovered in prior studies or actual operations and negotiates with and/or advises higher levels of management on the feasibility of different approaches which provide a basis for better planning of operations.
DUTY 4:
Develops new methods for analysis and development of future force structure projections and alternatives using the Enhanced Tradespace Tool (ETT). Evaluates data on resource allocation plans and proposals to inform decisions on acquisition priorities, projected operations and sustainment costs, and end strength levels. Conducts independent enterprise affordability assessments (EAAs) of lifecycle costs for acquisition programs at milestone decisions. Analyzes the effect of high level decisions (e.g., Defense Planning Guidance) on the overall strategic planning processes. Defends recommendations to higher levels of management. Establishes on-going mechanisms for evaluating the effectiveness of the strategy, planning and programming process as it relates to major mission and operational plans support. Utilizes the ETT Campaign Assessment Model (ECAM) to evaluate planned or proposed force structures against selected warfighting scenarios. Performs risk/benefit, dollar cost/economic analysis in support of decision making on significant issues.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Mobility is a condition of employment. Incumbent must sign an AF-wide mobility agreement.
- The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Clearance.
- 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/
- PCS cost will be paid IAW Career Broadening Policy under this agreement.
- Career Broadening positions are managed by AFPC/DPZ and are centrally funded.
- Positions are established specifically to provide developmental experience designed to broaden the skills and/or enhance the leadership perspective of a high-potential, mid-level manager.
- Career Broadening also provides training and developmental opportunities at various organizational levels.
- These assignments offer the qualified candidate a unique assignment in that the candidates brings certain experience to the assignment while gaining new experiences in a different work environment
- TEMPORARY PROMOTION: If the position is filled as a temporary promotion, upon completion of the career broadening assignment, the temporary promotion may lead to permanent promotion without further competition
- Position may be subject to random drug testing
- May travel by military or commercial air to conferences, meetings, and other functions away from the duty site.
- The employee may be required to work overtime.
- Disclosure of Political Appointments
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, Administrative and Management Positions.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization and must include: 1) Mastery of advanced management and organizational principles and practices and a comprehensive knowledge of planning, programming, and budgeting regulations, guidelines, and processes; 2) A thorough knowledge of Department of War and Air Force planning, acquisition, and management processes to provide PPBS guidelines and advisory services in support to long-range Air Force war, mobilization, exercise, deployment, and similar long range strategic planning efforts; 3) Mastery of the Federal, DoW, and Air Force planning, programming, and budgeting process (PPBE); 4) Thorough knowledge of Air Force program goals and objectives, the sequence and timing of key operational events and milestones, and methods of evaluating the effectiveness of planning actions as related to actual events; 5) High degree of skill in analyzing and comparing cost benefits, cost projections, budgetary tradeoffs, fiscal strategies, and programmatic factors to produce fully justified options that can be presented to higher levels of management for use in defending fiscal decisions; and 6) Ability to plan, organize, develop studies or projects and to negotiate effectively with management to accept and implement recommendations, where the proposals involve substantial Air Force resources, require extensive changes in established concepts and procedures, or may be in conflict with previous programming actions.
FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Applicants must have served at least 52 weeks at the GS-13 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:
- Knowledge of the Department of Defense Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution System (PPBE), and Department of Air Force policy, procedures, and schedules for developing the Strategic Planning Guidance, Plan to Program Guidance, Program Objective Memorandum (POM), and Financial Plans.
- Knowledge of Air Force program goals and objectives, the sequence and timing of key operational events and milestones, and methods of evaluating the effectiveness of planning actions as related to actual events.
- Knowledge of the relationship of the various Air Force entities involved in overall planning and execution of military operations and evaluations, and the way the PPBS process supports them.
- Knowledge of and skill in the use of Air Force strategy, planning and programming tools (e.g. the Enhanced Tradespace Tool (ETT), Automated Budget Interactive Environment System (ABIDES), Resource Allocation Programming Information Decisions System (RAPIDS), Defense Resource Data Warehouse (DRDW), Logistics Installations Mission Support Enterprise View (LIMS-EV), Air Force Cost and Performance (AFCAP) tool, Defense Acquisition Management Information Retrieval (DAMIR)).
- Ability to gather, assemble, and analyze facts, draw conclusions, conduct analysis, devise recommended solutions, and package the entire process in briefings, papers, or reports suitable for senior leadership use and decision-making.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, negotiate complex issues and maintain good working relations.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
PCS restrictions: An employee selected to make a PCS to a Career Broadening assignment is restricted from making a second PCS for 12 months.
Defense National Relocation Program may or may not be authorized.
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.
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.
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 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
- 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".
- 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).
How to Apply
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/25/2025.
To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12847418
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.
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.