PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is: to serve as Principal Advisor for Military Personnel and Compensation Management, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower and Reserve Affairs), Deputy Assistant Secretary (Force management), Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Major duties

Serves as the principal advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Force Management) and/or Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower and Reserve Affairs), Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, on all matters pertaining to the development and management of Total Force and DoW-wide military compensation and awards policy, ensuring that programs comply with legal and regulatory requirements and meets customer needs. Serves as the principal advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Force management) and/or the Assistant Secretary (Manpower and Reserve Affairs), Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, on all matters pertaining to the development of policy and management/oversight of programming, budgeting, and execution of Total force military compensation policy. Leads working groups, task forces or ad hoc groups in development of DAF and Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) military compensation programs and initiatives focusing on increasing the effective and efficient use of Institutional Air Force programmatic resources through management redesign and process review. Prepares, executes and provides executive oversight of special projects, studies, and audits within Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Force management), or participates in similar efforts that are hosted or led by external agencies. Performs a wide range of analytical and management functions within the Secretariate in support of incumbent's oversight of Total Force military compensation and award policies.

Qualifications

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. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-14, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes: 1. Working with qualitative and quantitative analytical methods to evaluate the success of precedent-setting programs (e.g., measuring the impact of a pilot program for a new type of incentive pay on retention and morale where standard evaluation metrics are obsolete or non-existent); 2. Working with qualitative and quantitative methods, such as complex management redesign, programmatic resource analysis, and process review, to overhaul and improve military compensation programs, identify organizational inefficiencies, and formulate recommendations to senior management that increase the effective and efficient use of Institutional resources; and 3. Working with administrative laws, policies, regulations, and precedents, such as broad Congressional legislation, National Security policy formulation, and overarching Department of War (DoW) directives, to research, interpret, and translate top-level guidance into specific operating regulations and policies, such as standardizing new Parental Leave usage and Special and Incentive pay programs for the Total Force enterprise. 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-14 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-15 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: Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative analytical methods and strategic planning principles to resolve complex organizational issues and develop new evaluative methodologies. Knowledge of Force Management concepts, laws, and organizational structures to provide comprehensive advisory services and evaluate the effectiveness of enlisted force programs. Knowledge of military personnel programs, entitlements, and retention policies to develop strategic plans and policies for Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve forces. Skill in oral and written communication to effectively advocate for programs, exercise diplomacy, and negotiate complex issues with high-level stakeholders. Ability to evaluate and assess program effectiveness in all echelons of command, prepare reports on accomplishment of program objectives, support a detailed integration effort, and developing recommendations while representing a wide variety of viewpoints. Ability to independently plan, manage, and execute short- and long-term projects while cultivating positive working relationships to guarantee successful completion. 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.