FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
HQ USAF and Support Elements
Posted: April 2, 2026 (0 days ago)
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HQ USAF and Support Elements
Department of the Air Force
Base salary range: $88,520 - $115,079
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-12. Expert-level knowledge in field.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves analyzing and improving military plans for operations like war, mobilization, and deployment in the Air Force, including evaluating responses from various commands and recommending changes to procedures.
It requires leading studies, negotiating with teams, and ensuring effective planning for airpower missions.
A good fit would be someone with experience in military operations analysis, strong leadership skills, and knowledge of Air Force structures, ideally with aviation expertise.
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (cont'd) This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug testing.
This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program.
Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions present a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety.
It is required that you (a) refrain from the use of illegal drugs and (b) if requested, submit to urinalysis testing.
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, Administrative and Management Positions; Management and Program Analysis Series, 0343.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-13, or equivalent in other pay systems.
Examples of specialized experience includes mastery of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for assessment and improvement of plans and procedures such as war, mobilization, deployment, and similar operations; evaluate MAJCOM and Air Staff responses to plan and studies; design and conduct comprehensive studies, and prepare solutions to broad, important and severe operational and contingency area; ability to negotiate complex issues and maintain good working relations; ability to plan, organize, and lead others in studies or projects and to negotiate effectively with management to accept and implement recommendations, where the proposals involve substantial resources and require extensive changes in established concepts and procedures.
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-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 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 a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of airpower plans and procedures for conducting major operations such as war, military operations other than war, mobilization, deployment.
Knowledge of airpower 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 the relationship of the various Air Force entities involved in overall planning and execution of military operations and evaluations.
Knowledge of and skill in the application of rated aviator (e.g., pilot, navigator) expertise as it applies to assigned airpower programs and weapon systems.
Ability to negotiate complex issues and maintain good working relations. 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 is: To serve as senior Air Force analyst and to provide Air Force military rated aviator expertise in planning, developing, and evaluating major complex plans such as war, mobilization, and similar operations or contingency plans to project air power world wide.
DUTIES: Applying Air Force military rated aviator expertise, performs a broad range of highly complex and controversial qualitative and quantitative analyses of programs, policies, and issues which have major impact on national deterrence policy in the development of long-range plans such as war, mobilization, and similar operations or contingency plans.
Develops new methods for testing and evaluating the effectiveness of assigned war, mobilization, and similar operations or contingency plans.
Prepares position papers and presents high level briefings of conclusions; many being highly subjective and not readily susceptible to verification until actual operational situations are encountered.
Maintains a continuous liaison with other Air Staff, other service headquarters counterparts, and DOD offices to ensure that planning is consistent and integrated throughout the defense community
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