INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS SPECIALIST

Summary

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Duties

• Summary: The primary purpose of this position is to serve in a key staff professional position as a Training Pipeline Manager (TPM) representing HQ AETC as the sole-source expert and authoritative consultant in the management all aspects of life-cycle Air Force Specialty (AFS) performance and training requirements (data, manpower, personnel, associated logistics equipment, budget, facilities, contracts, and systems) to meet Air Force world-wide career field training requirements to guide and review proposed training solutions are achievable, sustainable, properly resourced and educationally sound. Duties Serves as the recognized technical expert and authoritative consultant with Air Force-wide, interservice and international training scope and responsibility. Identifies, collects, evaluates, and validates a wide range of informational products measuring education and instructional program effectiveness, efficiency, and capability to meet total technical training requirements for assigned installation(s) or programs. Serves as the AETC expert consultant and advisor on all matters dealing with instructional systems specialists, training managers, registrar, Military Training Leaders, Faculty Development Flight and Training Evaluation Office personnel, and others who support the training mission. Accomplishes special projects and training studies.

Qualifications

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 Positions, to include the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the GS-1750, Instructional Systems Series. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours appropriate to the work of the position to be filled. The course work must have included study in at least four of the following five areas: 1. Learning theory, psychology of learning, educational psychology: Study of learning theories as they relate to the systematic design, development, and validation of instructional material. 2. Instructional design practices: Study of the principles and techniques used in designing training programs, developing design strategy and models, and applying design methods to the improvement of instructional effectiveness. 3. Educational evaluation: Study of the techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of instructional/educational programs, including developing written and performance tests and survey instruments, and determining reliability and validity of evaluation instruments. 4. Instructional product development: Study of the techniques appropriate for developing training materials, including identifying learner characteristics, specifying objectives, applying training strategy, validating training materials, and evaluating training. 5. Computers in education and training: Study of the application of computers in education and training, including selecting appropriate computer software. Some positions in this series may specialize in one or two functional areas, where more specific academic preparation may be necessary. For such positions, agencies may require course work in the applicable functional area(s) as part of the above-required 24 semester hours. NOTE: You MUST submit copies of your transcripts. AND In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: 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 of a wide range of professional concepts, principles, methods, techniques, and practices of one or more specialties of the instructional systems field as well as of learning theory, gained through extended study and experience; comprehensive knowledge of a wide variety of instructional development methods sufficient to develop and make substantial adaptations or extensions of instructional materials for specialty areas or career management fields which are complicated by factors such as changing situations or educational developments resulting in outdated guidelines or the need to pull together two different or partially related fields (e.g., engineering and electronics) that require a knowledge of more than one field; knowledge of an extensive variety of instructional program planning methods and techniques sufficient to plan total support requirements (i.e., personnel, equipment, facilities, and other resources) for a specialty area or career field; comprehensive knowledge of a variety of instructional system acquisition needs and sources to develop the technical and economic data required to support acquisition of instructional systems equipment and services for complete or complex instructional programs; skill in applying this knowledge to difficult and complex work assignments which frequently involve matters that are controversial, unconventional, or novel; ability to create plans for the development of training courses in accordance with agency, MAJCOM, and unit objectives, providing project guidelines, making periodic review of progress including final review of completed work, and revising or returning to originator with instructions on required revisions; ability to evaluate and predict training achievements and student performance and prepare interpretations of results and recommendations addressing significant matters such as objectives, contents, instructional methods, or probable student counseling needs. 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: 1. Broad professional knowledge of: instructional systems principles, practices, techniques, training devices and simulators, instructional design, and materials development to include use of technology for design and delivery of training, training administration, policies and procedures, planning and management of complex education, technical training and interservice and joint training programs to include training operations, administration, policies, procedures, training execution, management, development, training resources, instructional program evaluations defense system acquisition life cycle processes, learning theory, and educational principles and delivery methodologies, Community College of the Air Force accreditation requirements, and Continuous Process Improvement concepts and programs. 2. Skill in accomplishing special training studies and projects, contracting processes, training execution, development, management, resources, training evaluations, and Continuous Process Improvement concepts and programs for assessment of education and instructional training activity efficiency and effectiveness. 3. Skill and ability to work harmoniously with all levels of command personnel and skill in accomplishing special training studies and projects. Includes the ability to professionally represent AETC, Numbered Air Force Headquarters, A3/6, Operations and Communications Division, Technical Training Operations Center staffs and establish and maintain good working relationships with individuals and groups within HAF, MAJCOMs, Air Force Reserve Command, National Guard Bureau, as well as, outside organizations/agencies (DoD, U.S. government, international, inter-service and joint-related). 4. Ability to analyze complex instructional programs and training activities (international education and training requirements, basic military training, technical education and training (initial and advanced/supplemental skills) and inter-service and joint-related education and training), events, diverse data sources and related information for determination of efficiency and effectiveness of training operations or discovery of root cause contributing to problems within the training enterprise. 5. Ability to analyze problems and develop timely, economical, innovative and effective solutions (application of new program methods, approaches, and technology) to improve training efficiency, effectiveness, and operations of training activities. 6. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing Qualification (Cont) under Education .

Education

Qualification (Cont) 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??????? IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. ********************ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ACTIVE DUTY SERVICES MEMBERS******************** ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD-Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD-Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following: Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member Branch of Armed Forces Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s) Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty Terminal leave start date (if applicable) Expected character of service (honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement) Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander. Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form-214 must be submitted upon receipt

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before starting the application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/09/2026, closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13053685 Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date, 09/09/2026. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 5. A complete Application Questionnaire 6. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 7. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here 8. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBs you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. 9. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. 10. Review all instructions prior to beginning your Assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. 11. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. 12. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources, click here To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Click here Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.