Protocol Specialist

The United States Space Forces - Indo-Pacific (SPACEFOR-INDOPAC) at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii is searching for a Protocol Specialist (NH-0301-03, GS 12/13 equivalent).

Description:
United States Space Forces - Indo-Pacific (SPACEFOR-INDOPAC) is seeking a highly organized Protocol Specialist (PS) to join our Executive Team at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, located on Oahu. Serving as the principal protocol advisor for the command, the PS will lead the planning and execution of distinguished visitor engagements, military ceremonies, conferences, official visits, and special events supporting the Commander and senior leadership. The PS will oversee end-to-end event management, including military ceremonies, command conferences, flight line arrivals and departures, office calls, receptions, official social functions, and multinational engagements. As the command's primary liaison for distinguished visitors, the PS will plan and coordinate official visits involving General and Flag Officers, Senior Executive Service members, elected officials, allied and partner nation leaders, and other senior representatives by overseeing security coordination, transportation, lodging, itineraries, and ceremonial support, while ensuring all activities comply with Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force, and United States Space Force policies and protocols. The position maintains close working relationships with Headquarters United States Space Force, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Pacific Air Forces, and partner protocol offices throughout the Indo-Pacific theater.

Our ideal candidate is a poised, detail-oriented professional who thrives in high-visibility environments where discretion, adaptability, and excellence are vital. They possess a deep understanding of military protocol, ceremonies, customs, and courtesies, and confidently engage with senior military leaders, government officials, allied representatives, and international distinguished visitors. Success in this role requires a collaborative mindset and a strong commitment to supporting the broader Executive Team, recognizing that mission success is achieved through trust, shared effort, and collective dedication.

Key Skills and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of the official federal government protocol functions and responsibilities to ensure proper recognition and treatment of distinguished visitors, US and foreign military rank structure, political configuration and order of precedence.
2. Knowledge of DAF policy concerning expenditures of appropriated and non-appropriated protocol funds such as Official Representation Funds (ORF).
3. Knowledge of DoD and/or Department of the Air Force (DAF) policy and regulations relative to Protocol. Knowledge of Air Force and Space Force organization, mission, ceremonies, and customs and courtesies. Knowledge of personnel management and communication principles, methods and techniques.
4. Knowledge of missions, organizational structure and operations and skill in applying this knowledge in the planning and directing details of assigned formal visits of high-ranking dignitaries, both from within the federal government and internationally.
5. Knowledge on military ceremony key player stage and formation movements as well as flag placement and protocols.
6. Skill in dealing tactfully and pleasantly with a wide range of personalities in complex and delicate situations.
7. Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate last minute changes with regards to organization and coordination of official functions, meetings, conferences, etc.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
• May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
• Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 15 days per year.
• Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
• PCS is not authorized.
• Incentive is authorized.
• This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

The 0301 series does not have an individual occupational requirement that must be met. You can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 3rd section titled Administrative and Management Positions.

How you will be evaluated

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here:

Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.

Resume:You must submit a resume that 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 exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. 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 resume must provide:

1. Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
2. Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
3. Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
   • Job title
   • Detailed duties and accomplishments
   • Employer's name and address
   • Supervisor's name and phone number
   • Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
   • Hours per week
   • Salary, if applicable
4. Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses

College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.

Next steps