As the chief authority for the Department of the Air Force's cost analysis enterprise, this individual holds comprehensive accountability for all cost-related activities across both the Air Force and Space Force. The role demands rigorous leadership in the review and validation of all major weapon system cost estimates, including their underlying data, methodologies, and supporting documentation, to ensure disciplined adherence to the highest standards. A primary function is directing the Air Force Cost Analysis Agency (AFCAA) in producing critical, unbiased assessments such as Independent Cost Estimates (ICEs) and Service Cost Positions (SCPs), which are foundational to major acquisition milestone decisions and congressional reporting. In their capacity as a strategic leader, this person serves as the primary consult to or as acting (when requested) for the Chairman of the Cost Review Boards, influencing or being the final decision-maker on official cost positions. They also provide essential counsel to the most senior DAF and DoW leadership on matters of policy and regulation. This strategic advisory extends externally, where they represent the department's interests to key government bodies like the OSD, OMB, and CBO. Concurrently, the role is intensely focused on innovation, spearheading research into next-generation analytical programs, advanced data analytics, and automated cost-estimating models tailored for complex, transformational systems. This includes managing a robust research portfolio, overseeing collaborations with partners like the RAND Corporation, and implementing a modern knowledge management capability to foster seamless data sharing across the cost community. Finally, this leader is charged with securing the future of the discipline by directing a comprehensive talent management program focused on the recruitment, training, and continuous professional development of a cadre of expert cost analysts.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• 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/
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• Position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Position requires the incumbent sign a Drug Testing letter and pass urinalysis testing prior to appointment.
• Must have or be able to obtain a TOP SECRET/SCI Security clearance
• Must file an Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD. An individual's initial SL career appointment becomes final only after the individual successfully completes a 1-year probationary period.
• Active Duty Military Members must indicate retirement eligibility
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be offered
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• EXECUTIVE PERSONNEL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT (Standard Form 278). Selected candidate must file this report in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
• Veterans' preference is applicable to Air Force Senior Level (SL) positions.

Qualifications

Eligibility will be based upon a clear showing the applicant has training, education and experience of the scope and quality sufficient to effectively carry-out the duties of the position. Candidates must exemplify the corporate perspective, leadership vision, broad experience and character needed in the SES corps not only to satisfy the immediate vacancy, but future vacancies which will occur in a variety of organizations, functions and locations.

A. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Education Requirement:

a. Degree: in operations research; or at least 24 semester hours in a combination of operations research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical logic, science, or subject-matter courses requiring substantial competence in college-level mathematics or statistics. At least 3 of the 24 semester hours must have been in calculus.;

2. Certification Requirements: This a Financial Management Level III Certified position IAW the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2012, Subtitle F-Financial Management, Section 1599d. Incumbent shall comply with the requirement of this certification program.

This is a Critical Acquisition Position (CAP). Unless specifically waived by the appropriate component official (i.e., the Director of Acquisition Career Management for the Component, the Service Acquisition Executive, or the Service Secretary), the following are statutorily mandated requirements (Reference 10 U.S.C. 1731 and 1737):

a. Ten (10) years acquisition experience in an AWF position, at least 4 years of which was performed while assigned to a CAP.

b. Selectee must execute, as a condition of employment, a written agreement to remain in federal service in this position for at least three years. In signing such agreement, the employee does not forfeit any employment rights, nor does such agreement alter any other termsor conditions of employment.

c. Selectee must meet Advanced level certification requirements in Business - Financial Management or must be able to meet Advanced certification within 4 years (48 months) of assignment.

d. Selectee must have 6 years in acquisition financial management leadership billet (within acquisition major program office, PEO, or Service/Component/HQ/equivalent level).

e. Selectee must meet 80 hours of continuous learning requirements within the designated timeframe (80 hours of continuing learning (CL) every 2 years (with a goal of engaging in 40 hours annually)).

B. MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Applicants must reflect superior technical qualifications demonstrated through leadership and management in the following:

1.Comprehensive professional experience in cost analysis and possession of outstanding qualities of leadership, integrity, mature judgment, and originality. Demonstrated experience and ability to analyze complex situations and to develop practical recommendations which can be understood and supported by senior leaders. Thorough knowledge of and comprehensive experience in performing and leading the application of the principles, theories, and methods of cost analysis, operations research, data analytics, economic analysis and resource management to defense acquisition issues, and in designing and performing innovative cost/financial analyses in support of trade studies, strategic planning, and program development activities. Thorough knowledge of modeling and simulation techniques, analytic tools, and data development, organization and analysis for use in studies and analyses.


2.Expert knowledge and experience within in defense acquisition systems and processes, including an in-depth understanding of the interrelationships among costs and the military capabilities that result from the systems acquired by the DoW, and expert knowledge of the physical and performance characteristics of various weapon system types, including aircraft, missiles, munitions, space, C5SISRT, and information systems. Expert knowledge of the DoW acquisition and operational processes, including requirements, planning, programming, budgeting, development, and approval processes, in order to assure compliance with the goals and objectives of the integrated technical architecture program plan. Knowledge of the operations, practices, production processes and cost data reporting systems of major firms and their subcontractors in the defense industry.

A separate narrative statement is not required--this information should be embedded within the resume.

How you will be evaluated

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

Applications will be evaluated against the foregoing qualification requirements. Failure to meet any one of the mandatory technical or senior professional qualification standards will eliminate a candidate from further consideration. A screening panel will evaluate the candidates for this position composed of senior executives selected for organizational and/or functional backgrounds relevant to this position. The panel members will individually review each of the applications in terms of the qualifications criteria contained in this announcement. The qualifications stated are the minimum requirements of the position to be Qualified, a rating schedule will be applied by a screening panel to determine which candidates are considered to be Best Qualified. Then, they will meet to discuss each application, and reach a consensus decision as to the best qualified, qualified or not qualified candidates. The panel will interview all of the best-qualified candidates based upon consistently applied criteria. The panel will then make a recommendation of those best-qualified candidates who should be referred to the selecting official, in priority order. Final selection of a candidate is contingent upon USecAF approval.

To receive full consideration, each applicant must submit the (MANDATORY) documents in the format as designated. Packages that do not include all of the required documents or meet format requirements will not be forwarded for consideration.

**************ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED IN PDF FORMAT*******************

The Qualifications Documents must be formatted using Times New Roman, size 12 font, with 1-inch margins. Do not use borders, provide photos, or list a Social Security Number on any of the Qualifications Documents. DO NOT COMBINE DOCUMENTS.

A. (Mandatory) Resume in the preferred (Limit 2 pages). Resumes longer than 2-pages will be deemed ineligible. Upload in PDF format. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.

B. Mandatory Technical Qualifications Statement MUST be addressed in the 2-Page Resume.

C. (Optional) Most recent completed Performance Appraisal (current and/or former federal employees) or Performance Report (OPR or EPR). For applicants in the private sector, please provide a copy of your equivalent Evaluation Report.

D. Most recent Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50, noting your current position, grade level and salary level (applies only to current or former civilian government employee).

E. College transcript(s) (copy is acceptable) which demonstrates the acceptable combinations of education and experience as noted by OPM.

F. (Mandatory) Military Retired - a copy of your DD214 and/or Retirement orders; Active Duty - Are you an active-duty service member with a statement of service showing that you expect to be honorably discharged or released from the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after submitting your application. PLEASE NOTE: you will be ineligible for consideration if your statement of service is not submitted with your application or it shows an expected discharge or release date greater than 120 days from the date of the submission of the certification.

Documents are required.DO NOT SUBMIT ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Extraneous materials such as copies of position descriptions, award certificates and transmittal letters will not be forwarded for review.

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