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Posted: January 20, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Director, Force Development

Department of the Air Force - Agency Wide

Department of the Air Force

Fresh

Location

Salary

$151,662 - $209,600

per year

Closes

February 2, 2026More Air Force jobs →

SES Pay Grade

Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900

Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.

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

Job Description

Summary

This job involves leading the development and training of Air Force personnel, including strategic planning for skills, culture, and language programs to ensure the military is ready for future challenges.

It requires overseeing policies that affect how all service members are educated and prepared.

A good fit would be an experienced senior leader with a strong background in military or government strategy, proven ability to manage large teams and budgets, and a deep commitment to public service and efficiency.

Key Requirements

  • Senior-level experience in formulating and executing long-range strategic plans for force development, training, and resource management
  • Expertise in developing policies for Airman education, culture, and language programs
  • Substantial technical policy experience and decision-making at department, agency, or national levels
  • Demonstrated Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), including commitment to the rule of law, driving efficiency, merit and competence, leading people, and achieving results
  • Broad leadership vision and corporate perspective suitable for Senior Executive Service (SES) roles
  • Ability to manage budgets, cut wasteful spending, and implement process improvements
  • Evidence of accomplishments in resume (limited to 2 pages) showing ECQs and Technical Qualifications (TQs)

Full Job Description

This position serves as the Director, Force Development, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel & Services and Air Force Senior Language Authority (SLA).

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.

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

In accordance with new OPM requirements to streamline Senior Executive Service (SES) hiring, applicants are no longer required to submit lengthy narrative essays, including those for Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or Mandatory Technical Qualifications (TQs), when applying.

Instead, the initial application will be resume-only, capped at two pages. This change streamlines the application process and more closely aligns with private industry practices.

Applicants identified for potential selection will have their ECQs assessed by undergoing a structured interview with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB).

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume (not to exceed 2 pages).

Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s).

If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ1.

Proven senior-level experience directing the formulation and execution of long-range, strategic plans, program development and evaluation and resource planning and management for Force Development and culture, region and language expertise programs.

Develops policies which impact the training, education and development for all Airmen. TQ2.

Demonstrated possession of substantial technical policy experience and decision-making processes at the department/agency and national level.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): All new appointees to the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the five mandatory ECQs: ECQ 1.

Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ 2.

Driving Efficiency: Demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ 3. Merit and Competence: Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4.

Leading People: Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture.

This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5.

Achieving Results: Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Please note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program, or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you must attach proof (e.g., SF-50 or Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Major Duties:

As the Director, the incumbent exercises strategic planning, program development and evaluation, and resource planning and management for the Directorate in accordance with the guidance, direction, and priorities of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel, and Services (AF/A1) for developing the service's enlisted, officer, and civilian force.

As the SLA, the incumbent leads, at the highest levels in the Department, the planning, directing, and evaluating of culture, region, and language expertise programs.

The incumbent is the single point of contact in the Air Force to ensure that the planning, development, and integration of language and cross culture competencies across the Air Force.

The incumbent develops policies which impact the training, education, and funding for all Airmen and provides strategic focus and direction to the Air Force and the Defense Language Institute, English Language Center (DLIELC).

As the Director of Force Development, you will: Direct the formulation and execution of long-range strategic plans for the development of the Air Force's Total Force, encompassing enlisted, officer, and civilian personnel.

Develop, issue, and direct changes to Air Force-wide policies, programs, and guidance for recruiting, training, education, retention, and career field management.

Define and operationalize institutional competencies, leadership attributes, and cultural standards for all Airmen, ensuring they are prepared to execute and manage complex missions.

Oversee a diverse portfolio of critical initiatives, including the Continuum of Learning, Senior Leader Development, and the Language, Region, and Culture Program.

Serve as the Air Force Senior Language Authority (SLA) and act as a key advisor and representative on numerous high-level DoD, joint service, and Air Force development panels and committees.

Exercise executive managerial control over a directorate of approximately 50 military and civilian personnel, providing direction and oversight to multiple divisions and the Air Force Culture and Language Center.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/20/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/21/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: MRL26-30301