AIR OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force HeadquartersSalt Lake City, Utah, Seattle, Washington, Phoenix, Arizona, Los Angeles, California, San Francisco, California, Denver, Colorado, Washington, District of Columbia, Miami, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, Chicago, Illinois, Indianapolis, Indiana, New Orleans, Louisiana, Boston, Massachusetts, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kansas City, Missouri, Albuquerque, New Mexico, New York, New York, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Portland, Oregon, Austin, Texasusajobspublished 10/05/2026
Must-have:Security

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information. The primary purpose of this position is to provide the United States Air Force a unique capability to plan, organize, coordinate, and employ special operations in support of sensitive, compartmented, and special access missions directed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF).

Major duties

  1. Responsible for planning, coordinating, dispatching, monitoring and supporting special air operations flights, and the management of associated unit flying hour programs. 2. Supports air operations mission taskings and acts as liaison to multiple outside and/or federal agencies. 3. Provides management and direction to ensure timely mission planning and support expertise.

Qualifications

The GG-12 duties for the "Professional" work category are at the "Full Performance" work level and are equivalent to those at the GS-12 level. The selectee's salary will be set within the grade equivalent to a GS/GG grade based on the selectee's qualifications in relation to the job. 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. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: Education Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study - accounting, business administration, business or commercial law, commerce, economics, engineering, finance, industrial management, statistics, traffic management, transportation, motor mechanics, nautical science, marine affairs, marine engineering, marine transportation, or other fields related to the position. For Marine Transportation Specialist positions, education obtained in a Federal, State, or other accredited Merchant Marine Academy is qualifying. or Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): For positions other than Marine Transportation, experience in maintaining, retailing, purchasing, or procurement of automotive, rail, air, bus, or other transportation equipment or services, or in the operation of a commercial transportation facility or terminal. This experience must have demonstrated knowledge of fleet operations; familiarity with Federal, State, and municipal regulations governing the use of transportation vehicles; and the maintenance of inventories and cost computations. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must reflect the quality level of experience which demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance required for this position. Examples of creditable experience include thorough knowledge of all components of air operations concepts, principles and methodology, and be able to apply knowledge to develop new methods, approaches, or procedures to ensure mission planning is accurate, complete and above reproach. The incumbent must also possess knowledge in all aspects of worldwide transportation of passengers and cargo with current personal experience in DoD air activity systems and cognizance of operational security requirements. The position requires knowledge, management, and application of security procedures as they apply to special access programs and the handling, transportation, and disposition of classified information. The position requires in-depth experience in aircraft scheduling, operations and mission planning, and experience as a special operations mission planner with thorough knowledge of all aspects of the special air operations mission. Knowledge of fixed-wing mission/flight planning, communications, air navigation, ground plans, extended twin engine operating procedures (ETOPS), and domestic and international employment operations is required. Knowledge and understanding of all aspects relating to offensive/defensive employment of unit's multiple aircraft is also necessary. Incumbents must have an operational knowledge of DoD, DAF, FAA and ICO regulations and directives, and DoD, DAF, and joint doctrine as they apply to air operations, compliance in aircraft operation, safety of flight, and CONUS/OCONUS agency and command relationships. The position utilizes technical expertise and experience when dealing with extremely broad and complex special air operations missions and must be capable of integrating fixed wing aircraft movements to achieve a tasked objective. This includes the development of aircrew mission packages, refueling requirements, and mission flight following procedures.Note: Creditable experience may include previous military experience, experience gained in the private sector, or experience gained in another government agency. 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: 1. Knowledge of all aspects of world-wide sensitive air support and employment mission requirement, including fixed wing, ground refueling, air refueling, navigation, and offensive and defensive employment operations for air assets 2. Knowledge of all aspects of worldwide military and civilian air transportation of passengers and cargo. 3. Knowledge of developing, implementing, and employing ground and airborne communications systems while conducting training and real-world missions. 4. Knowledge of DoD, DAF, FAA and ICO regulations and directives, and DoD, DAF, and joint doctrine as they apply to air operations, compliance in aircraft operation, safety of flight, and CONUS/OCONUS agency and command relationships. 5. Knowledge of DoD and USAF policies on SAP controls and procedures, document control and accountability. 6. Ability to plan, analyze, evaluate, and provide key input to aircraft movement operations in order to achieve tasked objectives while ensuring mission safety and security. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Conditions of Employment Continued: Position is designated special-sensitive and requires 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 TS/SCI clearance and signed non-disclosure agreement is required. Drug Testing: This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Testing Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety. 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.

Education

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This position is a Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel Systems (DCIPS) position implemented under Section 504, Title V of Public Law 99-569, Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987, as codified in Sec 1601, Chap 83 of Title 10 United States Code which sets forth Air Force policies and procedures for DCIPS. This position is in the Excepted Service. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package. For additional information on DCIPS, click here