OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION SPECIALIST

Full Job Description

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The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as the USAF lead for the operational testing and evaluation of Department of the Air Force Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) for combat training system programs.

Plans, executes, and reports operational test activities during the design, development, production and fielding of new and/or modified training systems.

(Con.) Incumbent must be able to acquire and retain a Top Secret security clearance based on a single scope background Investigation and remain eligible for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Program (SAP) security levels.

Experience as a rated military aviator (pilot/combat systems officer/air battle manager) is critical.

Position requires a rated officer background as position requires a detailed/extensive knowledge of operational application of airpower in wartime and training environments.

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, Administration and Management 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 expert knowledge of airpower plans, policies, procedures, and employment at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels, sufficient for conducting major operations (war, military operations other than war, mobilization, and deployment) and to evaluate mission readiness of new or modified weapon systems to include military rated aviator (pilot/navigator/air battle manager) expertise as it applies to assigned programs; knowledge of fighter, bomber, tanker, transport, unmanned aerial vehicle and/or command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance programs, weapon systems, and military operations at an in-depth level to evaluate mission readiness of new or modified weapon systems; knowledge of test and evaluation methodologies to develop and implement advanced or innovative modifications to standard accepted methods and practices of aircraft system testing, necessitated by unique limitations and requirements of operational testing.

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: Knowledge of airpower plans and procedures for conducting major operations such as war, military operations other than war, mobilization, and deployment to evaluate mission readiness of new or modified weapon systems to include military rated aviator (pilot/navigator/air battle manager) expertise as it applies to assigned programs.

Knowledge of airpower program goals, objectives, and operational missions while planning, coordinating, and budgeting OT&E test activities, 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 sufficient to analyze and draw conclusions regarding test mission results and write technical reports appropriate for senior AF, DoD, and joint service executive and technical level reviewers.

Knowledge of a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods for the planning and assessment of operational tests for highly complex weapon systems and subsystems.

Ability to research, analyze, and interpret high-level guidelines including general, DoD, Joint Service, and military service directives and instructions requiring considerable adaptation and/or interpretation for application to issues or problems.

Skill in effectively interacting, operating, and communicating (both verbally and in writing) with personnel from diverse backgrounds/qualifications/experience.

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:

Serves as the Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) Test Director for assigned combat training systems and subsystems.

Designs, develops, and directs the operational test planning for assigned programs.

Coordinates plans, testing, and resource requirements with DoD, major commands (MAJCOM), Air Force Material Command (AFMC) Product and Test Centers, joint and other services.

Responsible for assessment of analyzed data and formulating content of the final report submitted to lead command (ACC).

Leads execution of, chairs, and/or attends test events, integrated test team planning meetings, deficiency report boards (DRB), core teams, critical design reviews, and any other meetings necessary to plan and execute integrated operational test and evaluation (OT&E) of CAF training devices.