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Posted: March 19, 2026 (0 days ago)

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CURRENT OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

U.S. Northern Command

Department of the Air Force

Fresh

Location

Salary

$109,246 - $142,022

per year

Closes

March 26, 2026

GS-12 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves monitoring and supporting military operations in real-time for the U.S. Northern Command, including handling crises, exercises, and daily tasks in command centers.

It requires working rotating shifts, including nights and weekends, and being ready to step in during emergencies to keep critical functions running.

A good fit would be someone with military or government experience who thrives in high-pressure, team-based environments and can handle irregular hours without issue.

Key Requirements

  • At least one year of specialized experience at GS-11 level or equivalent, involving knowledge of military missions, organizations, and operations across DoD, unified commands, and related agencies
  • Passage of urinalysis drug testing as part of the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program; no illegal drug use
  • Agreement to Key Position conditions: cannot vacate during war/emergency, removal from Ready Reserve, and mission essential reporting during closures or hazards
  • Completion of Initial Qualification Training, JOC Mission Qualification Training, Mission Certification Training, and ongoing annual evaluations
  • Ability to perform Battle Roster functions in centers like JOC, FOC, FPC, JLOC, NDDOC, JIOC-N, JCC, including extended hours, deployments to non-combat locations, and physical/medical assessments
  • Willingness to work non-traditional 12-hour rotating shifts, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and 24-hour operations during exercises or contingencies
  • Knowledge of current military law, Joint doctrine, plans, policies, and practices

Full Job Description

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

Conditions of Employment: 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) to refrain from use of illegal drugs and (B) if required, to submit to urinalysis testing.

Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive position presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety.

The selectee must sign a statement acknowledging the position occupied is identified as a TDP.

Required to perform Battle Roster functions during Exercises, Real-World events, or on an as needed basis to support mission requirements.

Battle Roster functions may include but are not limited to the Joint Operations Center (JOC), Future Operations Center (FOC), Future Plans Center (FPC), Joint Logistics Operations Center (JLOC), N&NC Deployment and Distribution Operations Center (NDDOC), Joint Intelligence Operations Center-North (JIOC-N), Joint Cyber Center (JCC), and other tasks as assigned.

These functions require additional duty hours and/or a physical/medical assessment to deploy to alternate duty locations (non-combat) or in-place.

This is a KEY position IAW 32 CFR, Part 44 Appendix A and DOD Directive 1200.7.

A Key Position is a Federal position that cannot be vacated during a war, national emergency, or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the parent Federal Agency to function effectively.

Applicants for positions designated as "Key" positions who do not agree to this condition shall not be extended an offer of employment.

The employee must be removed from the Ready Reserve and CANNOT become a member of the Ready Reserve while assigned to this position.

IAW DoDI 3020-42 this position has been locally, or command designated as Mission Essential (ME).

ME personnel perform a Mission Critical Function (MCF), which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency or during hazardous weather conditions to keep critical operations functioning.

These personnel are required to report for duty at normal times when the base is closed or if delayed reporting is directed and remain on duty during phased or early release.

This position is a designated JOC Watch Shift position.

The incumbent is required to complete Initial Qualification Training, JOC Mission Qualification Training, Mission Certification Training and/or JOC on-the-job training, depending on specific position requirements.

As a condition of employment, the incumbent is required to maintain certification with annual evaluations.

Employee will be required to work non-traditional duty hours, which currently consist of rotating 12-hour shift and include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Shift work is necessary during day-to-day operations, exercises, crises, or contingencies.

Incumbent may be required to support extended hours and 24-hour operations as directed and/or work in various locations required by missions.

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, Miscellaneous Administration and Program Series, 0301.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-12, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes master knowledge and understanding of the current missions, capabilities, organization, and operations of; other unified commands; the military services; the National Guard; the Reserve forces; the Department Of Defense; DOD intelligence organizations; the CIA, FEMA, the U.S.

Coast Guard, etc. is required. Working knowledge or current military law, Joint doctrine, Joint plans, policies, and practice, as well as a comprehensive understanding of U.S.

Government treaties, agreements, multi-lateral and bi-lateral international agreements, security assistance plans, U.S.

security requirements, and arrangements and other pertinent laws, doctrine, policies, and procedures.

Master knowledge in the mission concepts and principles; DOD military command and control operations, geographical areas of responsibility as pertains to the geographical Commands, multi-domain combat operations at both strategic and operational levels of war.

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-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 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: Ability to react in a high stress environment to intense operations.

Make critical characterization judgments, formulate recommendations that may have major national impact/consequences and transmit those recommendations and to very high levels of national authority.

Knowledge of military law and doctrine; Joint policies and procedures; DOD, Services and Joint organizational structures; national intelligence organizations, state and federal emergency organizations, other pertinent interagency organizations such as the U.S.

Coast Guard, Assistant Secretary of Defense/Homeland Defense (ASD/HD), etc. Expert knowledge of military strategic and tactical concepts, principles, processes within watch domains.

Practical and professional knowledge of a wide range of all services military technical methods, principles, and practices.

Expert knowledge gained through experience and/or technical schooling in computer systems and the communications pathways by which data is transmitted. Skill in oral and written communications.

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. Major Duties:

The primary purpose of this position: To conduct NORAD & USNORTHCOM missions, focused on Defense Support of Civil Authorities and Homeland Defense.

Incumbent will possess the ability to conduct a full spectrum of DSCA and HD; including coordination, mission assignments, orders and feedback from key partners and collection, analysis, assessment and characterization of events within USNORTHCOM mission sets.

Incumbent is responsible for developing shared situational awareness with a full spectrum of mission partners, making joint readiness level and assessment recommendations, and advising and assisting leadership in the execution of all operational matters and procedures.

The incumbent is fully prepared and trained to assume the additional responsibilities required in response to Homeland Defense, Civil Support, and Security Cooperation missions.

Conducts USNORTHCOM missions of Homeland Defense (HD), and Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA), and security cooperation, to defend and secure national interests.

As a current operations analyst, the employee makes characterization inputs and recommendations, in conjunction with USNORTHCOM J3 and in close association with key partners..

Participates in the full scope of JOC Involved exercises. Acts as a primary information resource to the Combatant Commander and higher decision making levels on command missions.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/19/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/20/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 6X-AFPC-12916081-219141-AZC