INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEM SPECIALIST

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an Instructional Systems Design (ISD) specialist for designing, developing, and evaluating highly technical training courses with classified and sensitive content, and instructional materials.

Duties

• 1. Directs the development or revision of Personnel Recovery Academy (PRA) specialized and highly classified Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) instructional programs, including formal training in initial skills, advanced, supplemental, and field training courses for U.S. Military, Department of Defense (DoD) civilians, and contractors authorized to accompany the force (CAAF) personnel. 2. Advises PRA leadership, and guides staff on ISD application during research, identification, and analysis of program requirements. 3. Provides ISD expertise to PRA trainers and instructors.

Qualifications

This is a GG-12 position in the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). The GG-12 duties for the "Professional" work category are at the "Full Performance" work level and are equivalent to those at the GS-12 level. The selectee's salary will be set within the grade equivalent to a GS/GG grade based on the selectee's qualifications in relation to the job. Basic Requirements: 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: Learning theory, psychology of learning, educational psychology: Study of learning theories as they relate to the systematic design, development, and validation of instructional material. 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. 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. 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. Computers in education and training: Study of the application of computers in education and training, including selecting appropriate computer software. POSITIVE EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: This position has a positive education requirement. If transcripts are not provided, your resume MUST list the appropriate academic field (e.g. biology, mechanical engineering, economics, sociology, etc.) and all courses you have taken (including those failed), which appear to satisfy the qualification requirements of the position for which you are applying. List graduate and undergraduate courses separately. Include the descriptive title and course code, completion date, grade, number of semester, quarter or classroom hours (for education completed at business, secretarial, technical school or military schools) and graduate and undergraduate classes. **As of 1 Sep 2016, current internal AF employees must attach their transcripts. Failure to do so will result in not being referred for the position. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must reflect the quality level of experience which demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance required for this position. Examples of creditable experience include: Extensive knowledge of Instructional Design Systems typically found in a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent in experience or training, of principles concepts and methods of instructional systems design (ISD), learning principles, concepts and training methodology of specialized survival, evasion, resistance, and escape (SERE) courseware. Incumbent must be able to apply these principles and concepts to independently plan, develop, revise, incorporate, and interpret end-state results for PRA specialized SERE education and training programs to include experiential, academic, and practical application. Note: Creditable experience may include previous military experience, experience gained in the private sector, or experience gained in another government agency. Note: 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. Professional knowledge in instructional systems design and education, and training program development; expertise in creating comprehensive instructional systems that effectively address the learning needs of diverse audiences; adept at developing curriculum and training programs that incorporate evidence-based practices, align with educational standards, and leverage modern instructional technologies; and expertise in designing and implementing innovative training solutions that enhance learner engagement and performance. 2. Professional knowledge of learning theory and principles, and instructional methodologies, including learning theories (behaviorist, cognitive, constructivist), instructional design models (ADDIE, Dick and Carey), adult learning principles (andragogy, self-directed learning), and instructional methodologies (blended learning, microlearning, gamification). 3. Knowledge and understanding of operational survival, evasion, resistance and escape (SERE) tactics, techniques, and procedures; Personnel Recovery (PR) or joint tactics, techniques, and procedures that support the tasks to locate, communicate, support, recover, and reintegrate; and national-level capabilities in support of PR operations; and national-level capabilities in support of PR operations. 4. Strong analytical skills to evaluate program effectiveness and drive continuous improvement in educational outcome; as well as skill and ability in conducting research, analysis, and assessments of command directed special projects, studies, and customer-training requirements for devising solutions associated with program development/revision efforts. 5. Skilled in collaborating with all levels of personnel within and outside the component to build and maintain cohesive work teams for project success. 6. Ability to analyze learning needs, design effective instruction, select tailored methodologies, integrate technology, evaluate and assess strategies to measure instructional effectiveness. 7. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing with a mastery of written English and technical writing skills. 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.

Education

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: This position is a Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel Systems (DCIPS) position implemented under Section 504, Title V of Public Law 99-569, Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987, as codified in Sec 1601, Chap 83 of Title 10 United States Code which sets forth Air Force policies and procedures for DCIPS. This position is in the Excepted Service. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package. For additional information on DCIPS, click here

How to apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/21/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13058681 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. 4. Return Rights: Per AFI 36-1101 - DCIPS employees have no statutory right of return to the previous position, unit, or geographic location. 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.