SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVISOR

AFELM US Space CommandPentagon, Arlington, Virginiausajobspublished 10/22/2026

Must-have:SAPSecurityPrincipal

Your tasks

Purpose: To serve as the USSPACECOM/J8 Washington Liaison Officer (LNO). This position acts as the strategic conduit between USSPACECOM/J8 and National Capital Region (NCR) stakeholders-including the Office of the Secretary of War (OSW), the Joint Staff (JS), and the Military Service Departments. The incumbent advocates for USSPACECOM's resource requirements, defends programming and budgeting submissions (PPBE), and synchronizes Joint Force Requirements (JFRP) to ensure combatant command priorities are integrated into national defense investments. Duties: Advises the Director of the Resource and Integration Directorate from the National Capital Region (NCR) to ensure strategic alignment between USSPACECOM and higher headquarters direction. Represents the USSPACECOM/J8 at the highest levels of the DoW, JS, and other agencies. Advocates for, synchronizes, and defends the Commander's budget request (Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process) and requirements - Joint Force Requirements Process (JFRP) - submissions within the Pentagon. Provides advice and direct support to develop headquarters guidance and policy informed by interagency and JS dynamics.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment: Position is designated special-sensitive and requires the employee obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET (TS) security clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. A non-disclosure agreement must be signed. This position has been designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. Illegal drug use by employees insensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety. Therefore, incumbent is required to: (a) refrain from the use of illegal drugs and misuse of prescription medication, and (b) if requested, submit to urinalysis testing on short notice. Incumbent may be selected for random drug testing and may be subject to reasonable suspicion testing and safety mishap or accident testing. Incumbent is subject to uncommon tour of duty hours to include proficiency shifts, rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays on an infrequent basis. Extended shift work (12 hours), and off-duty hours on-call, particularly during Command exercises, special events, and emergencies. Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.- Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise. Incumbents on this position may need to be removed from their military recall status if alternatives for filling the position during an emergency are not available. In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions, Miscellaneous Administration and Program Series 0301.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade NH-03 level, equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13), or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes mastery knowledge of large, complex organizations that provide component, space operations and command and control support (e.g. NAFs, MAJCOMs, Combatant Command Spaces Centers, other DoW space centers, civil and coalition ops centers), mission support, base infrastructure, and other factors critical to Combatant Command operations at CONUS and OCONUS locations. Extensive knowledge of the United States Space Command Component organization and responsibilities, and its relationships with other combatant commands; application of Federal Regulations, Joint Publications, and DoW Instructions and agency procedures, regulations, precedents, policies and guides in one or more areas of resources management (e.g., acquisition, financial management, policy, planning , programming, etc.). Mastery knowledge of advanced management and organizational principles and practices and a comprehensive knowledge of planning, programming, and/or budgeting regulations, guidelines, and processes to provide advisory services in support of long-range agency missions and operations. Expert knowledge of a wide range of cost and economics analyses principles, techniques, and practices, especially activity-based costing and management of operations and support functions.

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 NH-03 level, equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13) is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 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:

Mastery knowledge of large, complex organizations that provide component, space operations and command and control support (e.g. NAFs, MAJCOMs, Combatant Command Spaces Centers, other DoW space centers, civil and coalition ops centers), mission support, base infrastructure, and other factors critical to Combatant Command operations at CONUS and OCONUS locations.
Extensive knowledge of the United States Space Command Component organization and responsibilities, and its relationships with other combatant commands; application of Federal Regulations, Joint Publications, and DoW Instructions and agency procedures, regulations, precedents, policies and guides in one or more areas of resources management (e.g., acquisition, financial management, policy, planning , programming, etc.).
Mastery knowledge of advanced management and organizational principles and practices and a comprehensive knowledge of planning, programming, and/or budgeting regulations, guidelines, and processes to provide advisory services in support of long-range agency missions and operations.
Expert knowledge of a wide range of cost and economics analyses principles, techniques, and practices, especially activity-based costing and management of operations and support functions.
Expert ability to analyze, plan, organize, and direct the functions of, and mentor, motivate, and appraise staff of a large organization through subordinate supervisors, and meet program objectives within available resources, while accomplishing work through tactful interpersonal relations and manage/resolve conflicts harmoniously to achieve stated goals and desired results.
Mastery of oral and writing skills to present clear and concise information with good judgment and discretion, on a host of complex issues; conduct high-level, sensitive liaison and promote good public relations; and formulate clear informational briefings to the commander and staff.

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.

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.