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Posted: February 27, 2026 (0 days ago)

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SENSITIVE ACTIVITIES (SA) SPECIALIST

U.S. Northern Command

Department of the Air Force

Fresh

Location

Salary

$109,246 - $142,022

per year

Type

Closes

March 5, 2026

GS-12 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.

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

Job Description

Summary

This job involves planning and coordinating highly classified military operations for the U.S. Northern Command, focusing on sensitive activities that support national defense and emergency responses.

It requires handling top-secret information and being ready for irregular hours during crises or exercises.

A good fit would be someone with military or intelligence experience who thrives in high-stakes, secure environments and can commit to strict security protocols.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience at GS-11 level or equivalent, including planning and coordinating special operations
  • Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance, with access to Special Access Programs (SAP)
  • Willingness to undergo Counter Intelligence (CI) Polygraph screening and random follow-ups
  • Agreement to drug testing as a Test Designated Position (TDP) under Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program
  • Acceptance of Key Position status, prohibiting Ready Reserve membership and allowing removal only in non-emergency times
  • Availability for non-traditional hours, on-call duty, shift work, and mission-essential functions during exercises or crises
  • Ability to perform Battle Roster duties in centers like Joint Operations Center (JOC) or Joint Intelligence Operations Center (JIOC-N)

Full Job Description

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

Conditions of Employment: (cont'd) This position has been designated as Special Sensitive.

The employee is required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance as a condition of employment.

Access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, and involvement in Special Access Programs (SAP) is required to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

A non-disclosure agreement must be signed. Most activities within the portfolio of the organization are highly classified and extremely sensitive.

Access to information on elements of the portfolio is tightly controlled in accordance with DOD and Joint Staff policy, which require the employee to submit to a Counter Intelligence (Cl) Polygraph (Poly) screening prior to access being granted (not a pre-employment requirement).

Incumbent is subject to random CI-Poly screenings as a condition of employment. Failure to submit to a CI-Poly will result in debrief from all SAPs and removal from the position.

This position is designated by the Air Force as a Test Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program.

As a mandatory requirement for employment in this TDP, the incumbent is (A) to refrain from use of illegal drugs and (B) if required, to submit to urinalysis testing.

Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive position presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety.

The selectee must sign a statement acknowledging the position occupied is identified as a TDP. This is a KEY position IAW 32 CFR, Part 44 Appendix A and DoD Directive 1200.7.

A Key Position is a Federal position that cannot be vacated during a war, national emergency, or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the parent Federal Agency to function effectively.

Applicants for positions designated as "Key" positions who do not agree to this condition shall not be extended an offer of employment.

The employee must be removed from the Ready Reserve and CANNOT become a member of the Ready Reserve while assigned to this position.

IAW DoDI 3020-42 the position has been locally, or command designated as Mission Essential (ME) performing a Mission Critical Function (MCF), which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions IAW, DoDI 3020-42, Defense Continuity Programs.

Employee may be required to work non-traditional duty hours and/or be "on call" after normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Shift work is necessary during exercises, crises, or contingencies. Incumbent may be required to support extended hours and 24-hour operations as directed.

May be required to perform Battle Roster functions during Exercise and Real World events.

Battle Roster functions may include but are not limited to the Joint Operations Center (JOC), Future Operations Center (FOC), Future Plans Center (FPC), Joint Logistics Operations Center (JLOC), N&NC Deployment and Distribution Operations Center (NDDOC), Joint Intelligence Operations Center-North (JIOC-N), Joint Cyber Center (JCC), and other tasks as assigned.

These duties may require additional duty hours and/or alternate duty locations.

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; 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 knowledge in planning, developing, and coordinating intricate operations involving Special Operations capabilities to achieve designated end-states aligned with DOD, USNORTHCOM, and national strategic objectives; Knowledge of the disciplines of diplomacy, foreign affairs, irregular warfare, and the full spectrum of Special Operations roles and missions to tackle complex and non-traditional problems that require innovative and unconventional solutions; Knowledge of tactical, operational, and strategic special operations and intelligence policies, regulations, procedures, and techniques to serve as an expert for sensitive and compartmental special operations and intelligence 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-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 military and Joint operations doctrine, missions, functions, goals, objectives, and work processes pertinent to conducting Sensitive Activities (SA) operations at the combatant-command level.

Knowledge of roles, responsibilities, missions and objectives of the organizations involved with SA (e.g.

DOD, Joint, National Intelligence, and pertinent interagency organizations involved with Sensitive Activities).

Familiarity with Combatant Command crisis response processes and the command and controls systems used by the Command, Subordinates, and Component Commands.

Ability to develop Joint operations plans and orders in support of command-level (i.e., USNORTHCOM's) objectives.

Ability to react in a high stress environment to intense domestic and Partner Nation event situations; make critical characterization judgments; formulate recommendations that may have major national impact/consequences and transmit those recommendations clearly and concisely to possibly the highest leadership authorities in the Government.

Skill in articulating programs, procedures, and policies clearly and concisely, written and orally.

Knowledge of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of program effectiveness or the improvement of complex management processes and systems.

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 a North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) Sensitive Activities (SA) Specialist.

Responsible for analyzing, planning, coordinating, synchronizing and executing SA operational efforts with other Combatant Commands (CCMDs), interagency partners, and USNORTHCOM Components.

The work performed by this position is highly classified in nature and can only be described in general terms.

Duties: Conducts Joint strategic and operational planning of Sensitive Activities (SA) and special operations in coordination with various Department of Defense (DOD) agencies, National Intelligence organizations, Interagencies, and Partner and Allied Nations (PN/AN).

Serves as a SA and specialized operations advisor for the implementation of theater-wide strategic plans, policy development, and coordination Provides comprehensive SA planning and policy support across command specialized operational areas for mitigating risk to operations and capabilities.

Represents the J3X with a variety of functional area organizations.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/27/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/27/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 6X-AFPC-12897853-165038-SLN