DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCE SPECIALIST

Summary Click on “Learn more about this agency” button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. Responsibilities PRIMARY PURPOSE: To serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for this commands diplomatic clearance function by ensuring standardization of aircraft clearance request methods are maintained for this command, the Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve supporting Air Mobility Command (AMCs) global mission. DUTIES: Serves as Diplomatic Clearance SME for 618 AOC operations officers on all international diplomatic overflight and landing clearances in sovereign national airspace. Communicates verbally and in writing with US Embassy Defense Attache Officers and other key personnel within the Commands area of responsibility, in order to secure international diplomatic permissions for AMC, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve, and other Command aircraft supporting Americas global mission. Provides advice and assistance to Command leadership on branch processes and performance/efficiencies and serves as the subject matter expert and managements technical assistant for all concerns pertaining to obtaining diplomatic overflight and landing clearances of foreign countries. Maintains quality control of diplomatic clearance requests and aircraft requirements. Maintains a comprehensive working knowledge of applicable publications required to conduct the diplomatic clearance process. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (CONTINUED): This is a Key Position. In the event of a crisis, incumbent must continue to perform assigned duties. Position cannot be vacated. Incumbent must be removed from the military recall status if alternatives for filling the position during emergencies are not available. Position is Mission Essential, and employee will make every effort to report to work regardless of base closures due to inclement weather. This is a Mission-Essential position performing a Mission-Critical-Function which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions. Incumbent will be required to successfully complete initial diplomatic clearance training within established timelines prior to assuming unsupervised duties of the position. These actions are normally scheduled for accomplishment within 180 days of being hired. 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- Transportation Operations (2150) 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 include experience in maintaining, retailing, purchasing, or procurement of automotive, rail, air, bus, or other transportation equipment or services, or in the operation of a commercial transportation facility or terminal. This experience must have demonstrated knowledge of fleet operations; familiarity with Federal, State, and municipal regulations governing the use of transportation vehicles; and the maintenance of inventories and cost computations; comprehensive working knowledge of a wide range of diplomatic clearance procedures, concepts, principles and practices, and significant expertise in overflight rights/agreements for sovereign governments worldwide; broad knowledge of the commands plans, concepts, operations, policies, and missions worldwide and a complete status of the worlds international political-military relations/environment with regard to the commands mission, to resolve difficult and/or complex issues regarding diplomatic clearances for such aircraft operations as priority lifesaving, national security, humanitarian relief, etc.; in-depth knowledge of air navigation, international flight rules and regulations, the international air route structure, flight characteristics and systems of aircraft, computerized flight plans, familiarization with channel operations, and knowledge of exercise and contingency operations; knowledge of aircraft systems and capabilities when requesting diplomatic clearances since aircraft altitude/air speed capabilities, aircraft systems, and special requirements for medical evacuation missions all affect diplomatic clearance request procedures; thorough knowledge of Agency operations, practices, procedures, and policies of the commands operations in order to interpret diplomatic clearance policies, procedures and guidelines; and thorough knowledge of mission, organization, and processes of the air operation program throughout the command and the air bases or equivalent. 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. 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 a wide range of international diplomatic clearance procedures and policies including the DoD FCG. Knowledge of aircraft performance capabilities and limitations. Knowledge of AF and command directives, plans, instructions, and processes including those related to the handling of hazardous cargo. Knowledge of flight operations, airfield information and restrictions, enroute supplements; i.e. runway length, load-bearing capability, types of fuel available, etc. Knowledge of flying instructions, Flight Information Publications (FLIP) documents, guidelines, and worldwide route planning, computer flight plans, international airway routes and structure, oceanic routes, controlled and special use airspace, aeronautical charts, airways, and flight safety. Knowledge of aircrew flying limitations and crew rest requirements. 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 Additional Information Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties, click here.