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Posted: January 6, 2026 (9 days ago)

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SUPERVISORY PROGRAM MANAGER

Air Force Elements, U.S. Central Command

Department of the Air Force

Recent

Location

Salary

$125,776 - $163,514

per year

Closes

January 12, 2026More Air Force jobs →

GS-13 Pay Grade

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).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves leading a team that plans and coordinates sensitive military operations, such as deception tactics and special technical activities, within the U.S.

Central Command's Information Operations Division. The role requires overseeing staff, managing priorities, and ensuring everything aligns with broader mission goals in a high-security environment.

It's a great fit for experienced military or government leaders with a strong background in strategic planning and team supervision who thrive in classified settings.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience at GS-13 level or equivalent, including directing sensitive military operations like MILDEC and STO
  • Knowledge of joint operations planning systems (JOPES) and military deception processes (JMDPP)
  • Expertise in safety, security regulations, and compartmentalized programs
  • Strong oral and written communication skills for briefing senior leaders and negotiating issues
  • Ability to lead and manage cross-functional teams, assign work, and develop subordinates
  • Experience in analyzing operations, adjusting procedures, and aligning with strategic objectives
  • Meeting federal time-in-grade requirements (one year at GS-13 for GS-14 eligibility)

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 serve as Branch Chief, Special Activities Branch in the Information Operations Division (J39) located at Headquarters, United States Central Command (USCENTCOM).

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.

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 providing overall direction on a conceptual basis, outlining only the most broadly defined missions.

Responsible for overseeing, coordinating, synchronizing, and integrating sensitive military operations which include Military Deception (MILDEC), Special Technical Operations (STO), and other sensitive programs.

Experience planning and scheduling work to be accomplished by subordinates.

Sets and adjusts short-term priorities; assigns work in consideration of employee skills and mission requirements; rates subordinates' performance; advises employees on work and administrative matters; implements methods and procedures to improve organizational performance; and identifies and provides for employee training and development.

Recommends selection of candidates for positions; recommends position structure changes; recommends disciplinary actions and hears and resolves formal employee complaints and grievances as delegated by higher level management; and assesses and revises policies and procedures as needed to find ways to improve quality, timeliness, and efficiency of work.

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: 1.

Knowledge of Sensitive Military Operations (SMO) and Deception Techniques, particularly Military Deception(MILDEC), Special Technical Operations (STO), and compartmentalized programs.

This includes comprehensive knowledge of tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) applied in joint operations planning and execution. 2.

Knowledge of Joint Operations Planning and Execution Systems (JOPES) and the Joint Military Deception Planning Process (JMDPP). 3. Knowledge of safety and security regulations, practice and procedures.

4. Skill in communicating complex, technical information both orally and in writing with senior military and civilian leaders is critical.

This includes presenting high-level briefings, negotiating strategic and operational issues, and providing subject matter expertise in sensitive activities. 5.

Ability to lead, plan, organize, and direct cross functional teams through subordinate leaders, balancing workloads and ensuring effective utilization of resources. 6.

Ability to analyze, plan, and adjust the operations of multiple organizational segments, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.

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.

Conditions of Employment Continued: Position is designated special-sensitive and requires a TOP SECRET (TS) security clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

A non-disclosure agreement must be signed. This position has been designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program.

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

Therefore, incumbent is required to: (a) refrain from the use of illegal drugs and misuse of prescription medication, and (b) if requested, submit to urinalysis testing on short notice.

Incumbent must pass initial and may be selected for random drug testing. May be subject to reasonable suspicion testing, safety mishap, or accident testing.

The selectee must sign a statement acknowledging the position occupied is identified as a TDP. This position is emergency essential (E-E).

The incumbent must meet all requirements of E-E positions and may be required, as a condition of employment, to take a series of vaccinations and annual boosters to immunize against anthrax and other diseases.

During a crisis, the incumbent or designated alternate must continue to perform the E-E duties until relieved by proper authority. The same will be required to take part in readiness exercises.

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

This meets the criteria of an E-E position and requires that the incumbent or designated alternate to be removed from any military recall status.

All E-E employees must perform E-E duties during a crisis and/or after noncombatants evacuate.

Failing to perform assigned E-E duties may result in disciplinary action against the incumbent up to and including removal from the federal service.

This is a Mission Essential (ME) position 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. Incumbent may be required to perform periodic TDY (CONUS and OCONUS) in commercial and military aircraft. Travel to U.S.

and allied countries' facilities, military bases, and austere, hostile environments to provide focused sensitive activity planning and execution support to real world operations, exercises, planning evolutions, and other activities.

Major Duties:

Plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the USCENTCOM Sensitive Activities Branch ensuring that the Command's Special Activities Programs comply with legal and regulatory requirements and meets Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) directed objectives.

Exercises supervisory personnel and program management responsibilities. Directs, coordinates, and oversees work through subordinate supervisors.

Advises staff regarding policies, procedures, and directives of higher-level management or headquarters.

Represents CCJ3 Information Operations Division-Special Activities Branch with a variety of functional area organizations. Serves as the focal point for Military Deception (MILDEC) programs.

Provides subject matter expertise in overseeing the Command MILDEC program to meet established MILDEC planning and operational requirements in support of USCENTCOM objectives in accordance with Directives, Instructions, and Policies.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/6/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/6/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 5I-AFPC-12860095-059135-APM