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Posted: March 27, 2026 (0 days ago)

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EXERCISE PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command

Department of the Air Force

Fresh

Location

Salary

$95,326 - $123,927

per year

Closes

GS-11 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $62,107 - $80,737

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-10. Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 years graduate study.

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

Job Description

Summary

This role involves leading and managing exercise programs for an Air Force Reserve unit, including planning drills, conducting audits and reviews to check how well the unit performs, and ensuring overall readiness for missions.

It also includes developing policies on preparedness and working with various agencies to handle emergencies.

A good fit would be someone with military or government experience in planning and evaluating operations, who is detail-oriented and skilled in analysis.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience at GS-11 level or equivalent, involving oversight of exercise programs, audits, and readiness assessments
  • Knowledge of Air Force, DoD, and MAJCOM plans, policies, and procedures for exercises and emergency management
  • Understanding of military command structure, missions, and organizational relationships
  • Proficiency in analytical and evaluative methods to assess operational efficiency and resolve discrepancies
  • Familiarity with federal, state, and local emergency management laws, directives, and agencies
  • Time-in-grade requirement: One year at GS-11 for GS-12 eligibility
  • Ability to interpret, develop, and implement readiness policies

Full Job Description

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 oversee and direct the Inspector General wing/center exercise program and determine unit effectiveness and efficiency through internal and external audits, reviews, exercises, and analyses.

Serves as the focal point for the Inspector General (IG) office to interpret, develop, and implement readiness policy.

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule, Administrative and Management Support Positions, General Inspection Investigation Enforcement and Compliance Series 1801 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes Knowledge of the mission, functions, programs, policies, structure, and operational capabilities of the wing/center in order to oversee and direct the multifaceted exercise and evaluation program and determine unit effectiveness and sustainability through internal and external audits, reviews, exercises, and analyses.

Knowledge of a wide range of complex contingency and exercise principles in order to improve critical plans and programs and apply AF emergency and readiness concepts, principles, procedures, and practices to wing/center processes, training, and planning.

Knowledge of a wide range of analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of operations; recognize and resolve discrepancies; and modify established approaches, methods or procedures to improve data gathering and analysis techniques.

Knowledge of military command structure, missions, programs, and organizational relationships and program goals and objectives, the sequence and timing of key operational events and milestones, and methods of evaluating the effectiveness of planning actions as related to actual events.

Knowledge of Federal, DoD, AF, state, and local emergency management agencies, laws, directives, policies, plans, and procedures for implementing the emergency management program; and knowledge of the various command entities involved in overall planning and execution of operations and exercise assessments.

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-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 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: 1.

Knowledge of existing DoD, Air Force, and MAJCOM plans and guidance related to the concepts and practices involved in formulating and managing an exercise and evaluation program designed to assess mission readiness and sustainability; to include DoD and AF administrative, exercise, and inspection policies, procedures, techniques, and practices, as well as public information release and denial determinations (Freedom Of Information Act, Official Use Request, Privacy Act, etc.).

2.

Knowledge of Air Force, MAJCOM, and wing/center mission goals and objectives; the sequence and timing of key operational events and milestones; methods of evaluating the effectiveness of planning actions related to actual events; and the relationship of the various entities involved in overall exercise planning and execution of military operations and assessments.

3.

Knowledge of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to participate in the assessment and development of multifaceted plans and programs for conducting operations, and to adapt precedents or existing strategies to meet unusual needs, special demands, and determine feasible solutions to meet mission requirements.

4.

Skill in analyzing, planning, and adjusting work operations to meet exercise program requirements and objectives within available resources; and in analyzing reports to identify relevant issues, identify potential trends, and draw sound conclusions to make appropriate recommendations.

5.

Ability to plan, organize, and negotiate effectively with senior specialists and management to accept and implement recommendations, where proposals involve substantial resources, and require extensive changes in established concepts and procedures.

6.

Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing; and work in a professional manner with installation leadership, as well as with local community, state, and/or Government agencies necessary to implement exercise, mobility, and contingency response actions.

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:

Plans, organizes, and manages a wide range of complex activities involved in the wing/center Exercise and Evaluation Program.

Evaluates unit objectives during exercise planning, develops exercise criteria, forms exercise simulations and deviations, analyzes data, reports trend information, and briefs results.

Manages the integration of multi-disciplinary unit resources necessary to support exercise tasks and projects.

Works with organizations to identify specific requirements for money, manpower, material, facilities, and services to support diverse exercises, and implement strategies to support future exercise plans and projects.

Represents the IG with a variety of installation, functional area, local community, state and federal organizations.

Establishes, develops, and maintains effective working relationships with DoD/IG, SAF/IG, MAJCOM staffs, and installation leadership at all levels on matters concerning wing/center exercises.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/27/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/28/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 5D-AFPC-12923043-185856-KKO