HISTORIAN

Full Job Description

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

The primary purpose is the coordination of historical activities, maintains and adds to the Wing's archives through the production of narrative histories on the mission, completes special studies on subjects that affect the mission, and serves as the Wing's technical authority and advisor for all professional aspects of the USAF History and Museum Program.

(Cont. Conditions of Employment) Emergency Essential: This position is Emergency Essential (E-E).

In the event of a crisis situation, the incumbent, or designated alternate, must continue to perform the Emergency Essential duties until relieved by proper authority.

The incumbent or the designated alternate may be required to take part in readiness exercises.

This position cannot be vacated during national emergency or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the organization to function effectively.

This meets the criteria of an Emergency Essential position and requires that the incumbent, or the designated alternate, be removed from any military recall status.

Employee must sign DD Form 2365 as a condition of employment. This requirement cannot be changed without the approval of the AF/HO Career Field Manager.

Physical Requirement: The incumbent must pass an initial pre-employment medical examination, periodic medical examinations and required physical fitness/physical agility tests.

The incumbent must immediately report to his supervisor any significant medical threshold shifts in health status and/or medication requirements.

Selectee must meet requirements specified on SF 78, Certificate of Medical Examination for position at overseas/deployed locations due to the following.

The duties of this position require moderate physical exertion involving walking and standing, possible use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather.

Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and knee joints is required.

Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily.

Sufficiently good vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform the duties satisfactorily.

Near vision, corrective lenses permitted, must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters.

Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz levels.

Since the duties of these positions are exacting and responsible and involve activities under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability.

Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to himself/herself or others is disqualifying.

The theater commander may specify theater unique medical/physical deployability criteria.

Emergency Essential / deployment related medical /dental/ psychological examinations and required immunizations are at no expense to the employee.

Selection for this position is contingent upon proof of U. S. Citizenship. Mobility is a condition of employment; the employee must sign an Air Force-wide mobility agreement.

Must attend and successfully complete the Historian Training Course within 9 months of being hired. Must obtain and maintain a government travel card.

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, Professional and Scientific position- History Series 0170.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: Degree: history; or related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history.

OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in history, or a major in a related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Evaluation of Graduate Education Graduate study in the social sciences or humanities may also be credited when such study included training in historical research methodology; or the thesis approached the subject from an historical viewpoint and used professional historical research methodology and techniques in its preparation.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of professional historical principles, concepts, methodology, and techniques including historical and organizational research.

General understanding of federal government history programs and current operations, policies, programs, and activities.

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-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 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 professional historical principles, concepts, methodology, and techniques including historical and organizational research.

Knowledge and general understanding of federal government history programs and current operations, policies, programs, and activities.

Skill and ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and to use techniques required in conducting oral history interviews.

Skill and ability to collect, organize, and interrelate large amounts of diversely formatted data (including digital) drawn from a wide variety of sources.

Ability to prepare a narrative that presents a balanced and realistic picture of the subject. Ability to critically evaluate sources of information and establish validity of historical facts.

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:

Research and writes the Wing history, emphasizing problems encountered, solutions to these problems, and the Wing's effectiveness in accomplishing its mission.

Conducts special studies and creates other historical products such as oral histories.

Provides research and reference services- Provides historical services to meet the needs of the commanders and their staffs, as well as other Air Force and government agencies, Department of Defense, and the public.

Participates in wartime and contingency operations; deploys to contingency locations. When deployed, collects and safeguards documents concerning contingency operations.