EXERCISE PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to serve to oversee and direct the Inspector General wing/center exercise program and determine unit effectiveness and efficiency through internal and external audits, reviews, exercises, and analyses. Serves as the focal point for the Inspector General (IG) office to interpret, develop, and implement readiness policy. Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

Duties

• Plans, organizes, and manages a wide range of complex activities involved in the wing/center Exercise and Evaluation Program. Evaluates unit objectives during exercise planning, develops exercise criteria, forms exercise simulations and deviations, analyzes data, reports trend information, and briefs results. Manages the integration of multi-disciplinary unit resources necessary to support exercise tasks and projects. Represents the IG with a variety of installation, functional area, local community, state and federal organizations.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Administrative and Management Positions for General Inspection Investigation Enforcement and Compliance Series, 1801. GS-11 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of the mission, functions, programs, policies, structure, and operational capabilities of the wing/center in order to oversee and direct the multifaceted exercise and evaluation program, and determine unit effectiveness and sustainability through internal and external audits, reviews, exercises, and analyses. Knowledge of a wide range of complex contingency and exercise principles in order to improve critical plans and programs and apply AF emergency and readiness concepts, principles, procedures, and practices to wing/center processes, training, and planning. Knowledge of a wide range of analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of operations; recognize and resolve discrepancies; and modify established approaches, methods or procedures to improve data gathering and analysis techniques. Knowledge of military command structure, missions, programs, and organizational relationships and 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 Federal, DoD, AF, state, and local emergency management agencies, laws, directives, policies, plans, and procedures for implementing the emergency management program; and knowledge of the various command entities involved in overall planning and execution of operations and exercise assessments. OR EDUCATION: Successfully completed a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of college transcripts. GS-12 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of the mission, functions, programs, policies, structure, and operational capabilities of the wing/center in order to oversee and direct the multifaceted exercise and evaluation program, and determine unit effectiveness and sustainability through internal and external audits, reviews, exercises, and analyses. Knowledge of a wide range of complex contingency and exercise principles in order to improve critical plans and programs and apply AF emergency and readiness concepts, principles, procedures, and practices to wing/center processes, training, and planning. Knowledge of a wide range of analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of operations; recognize and resolve discrepancies; and modify established approaches, methods or procedures to improve data gathering and analysis techniques. Knowledge of military command structure, missions, programs, and organizational relationships and 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 Federal, DoD, AF, state, and local emergency management agencies, laws, directives, policies, plans, and procedures for implementing the emergency management program; and knowledge of the various command entities involved in overall planning and execution of operations and exercise assessments. GS-11 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-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 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. GS-12 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-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 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. GS-11/12 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 existing DoD, Air Force, and MAJCOM plans and guidance related to the concepts and practices involved in formulating and managing an exercise and evaluation program designed to assess mission readiness and sustainability; to include DoD and AF administrative, exercise, and inspection policies, procedures, techniques, and practices, as well as public information release and denial determinations (Freedom Of Information Act, Official Use Request, Privacy Act, etc.). Knowledge of Air Force, MAJCOM, and wing/center mission goals and objectives; the sequence and timing of key operational events and milestones; methods of evaluating the effectiveness of planning actions related to actual events; and the relationship of the various entities involved in overall exercise planning and execution of military operations and assessments. Knowledge of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to participate in the assessment and development of multifaceted plans and programs for conducting operations, and to adapt precedents or existing strategies to meet unusual needs, special demands, and determine feasible solutions to meet mission requirements. Skill in analyzing, planning, and adjusting work operations to meet exercise program requirements and objectives within available resources; and in analyzing reports to identify relevant issues, identify potential trends, and draw sound conclusions in order to make appropriate recommendations. Ability to plan, organize, and negotiate effectively with senior specialists and management to accept and implement recommendations, where proposals involve substantial resources, and require extensive changes in established concepts and procedures. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing; and work in a professional manner with installation leadership, as well as with local community, state, and/or Government agencies necessary to implement exercise, mobility, and contingency response actions.

Education

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.

How to apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/11/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13055809 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. 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. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. 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. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.