RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Clarification from the agency

Eligible NAF employees are considered under Hiring Path - "Federal employees-Excepted service"

The primary purpose of this position is: The purpose of this position is to serve as the NORAD and USNORTHCOM Office of the Command Chaplain (N&NC/HC) Faith Based Organizations Engagements and Plans, Programs and Exercise Officer within N&NC and the international and national Faith Based Organization (FBO/NGO) community in the NORAD and USNORTHCOM areas of operations.

• Conduct Interagency, Faith Based Organization (FBO) and Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) engagement, formal coordination, technical assistance, studies and research projects in support of NORAD and USNORTHCOM Campaign Plan mission priorities.
• Conducts Religious Affairs strategic planning, advisement, operational planning, doctrine development, and policy review and development.
• Plans, organizes, and directs the activities of N&NC/HC training, education, and exercise programs.
• Working with the Command Chaplain coordinates and oversees technical management through goals and objectives that integrate Religious Affairs into NORAD and USNORTHCOM missions.
• Serves with the Command Chaplain to address religious, spiritual, moral and ethical problems of command personnel and to provide appropriate ministrations, in order to ensure the free exercise of religion.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov.
• 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/
• This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for this position
• Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position
• Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
• 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.
• This position requires the employee to occasionally travel away from the normal duty station.
• The employee must be willing and able to travel on military and commercial aircraft.
• The position requires shift work during exercises and contingencies.
• In the performance of assigned duties, employee uses tact, diplomacy, and professionalism to promote effective working relationships with a variety of offices and agencies.

Qualifications

Conditions of Employment (Cont.)

• This position is designated by the Air force as a Test Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. As a mandatory requirement for employment in this TDP, the incumbent is (A) torefrain from use of illegal drugs and (B) if required, to submit to urinalysis testing. The selectee must sign a statement acknowledging the position occupied is identified as a TDP.
• YA002 = Eligible for situational telework only, including Ad hoc, Emergency, or OPM prescribed "Unscheduled" Telework. This eligibility is separate and distinct from the employee's eligibility. A civilian employee's telework arrangement may be terminated at the discretion of the supervisor or at the employee's request.
• A Top Secret/Special Sensitive clearance is required for this position. The employee is required to possess and maintain a Top Secret/Special Sensitive as a condition of employment. Per AFGM2017-36-04, dated 4 Oct 17, the investigative requirement CANNOT be waived for special sensitive positions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of my specialized experience include Comprehensive knowledge of Federal, OSD, and Joint Staff strategic planning guidance and processes. Comprehensive knowledge of Joint Strategy Planning System, to include National and DOD strategies and plans; knowledge of the Guidance for the Employment of the Force and Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan; knowledge of the National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and the National Military Strategy. Mastery of advanced management and organization principles and practices of DOD in general, and of the Chaplains Corps of the Armed Services in particular. Thorough and comprehensive knowledge of Chaplain Corps concepts, principles, and methodology applicable to all Campaign Plans, Concept Plans, Operations Plans, and Orders.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

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: PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

• Skill in working with multiple service components personnel in a Title 10 and/or Title 32 status (National Guard), and knowledge of joint doctrine and of the Commands' missions, functions, goals, objectives, and work processes pertinent to conducting training exercises. 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 organizational leadership use and decision-making.
• Skill to negotiate and defend ideas and concepts and communicate expertly in oral and written communications. Knowledge of Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES), the Joint Operation Planning Process, and the Adaptive Planning and Execution (APEX) process; Knowledge of the DOD, Joint Staff, and Services' vision and strategic planning documents and development processes.
• Knowledge of Federal planning systems and documents, and the roles and responsibilities of interagency and nongovernmental partners. Knowledge of Joint Training System concepts and the ability to apply the concepts to meet the Commands' exercise training objectives and reporting responsibilities. Skill in training program development, developing training objectives and standards.
• Skill to perform in conformance with military chaplaincy policies, regulations, instructions, doctrine and management principles. Knowledge of most major religions, particularly Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism as well as Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant denominations, para-church organizations and cults. Ability to react in a high stress environment to intense domestic event situations, to make critical characterization judgments.
• Knowledge of military law and doctrine; Joint policies and procedures; DOD, Services and Joint organizational structures; state and federal emergency organizations, and other pertinent interagency and nongovernment organizations active in disaster such as FEMA, etc. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships using tact and diplomacy in interacting with commanders, civilian authorities, individuals/families, component command chaplains, interagency representatives and staff, and ability to analyze, plan and adjust work operations to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources. Ability to plan, organize and direct the functions and staff of a small-sized organization.

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

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.

BASIS OF RATING: Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements.
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

The resume/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.

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.

1. Online Application: Questionnaire
2. 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".
3. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
4. Veterans: If claiming VEOA, VRA or 30% Disabled Veteran - Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD-Form 214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge). This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD-Form 214. If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran, you must also submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces. NOTE: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15.
5. Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, AND a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held if different from your recent SF-50. 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".
6. 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).

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD-Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD-Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:

• Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
• Branch of Armed Forces
• Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
• Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
• Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
• Expected character of service (honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
• Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
• Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.
  Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form-214 must be submitted upon receipt.

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS:
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).

Next steps