ACQUISITION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Summary

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: This is a formal Air Force intern position, established under the PALACE Acquire (PAQ) program which is under the Pathways Recent Graduate Program. This position is centrally managed and funded by the Air Force Personnel Center, Civilian Career Management Directorate and administered by the Civil Engineer Career Team.

Summary

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: This is a formal Air Force intern position, established under the PALACE Acquire (PAQ) program which is under the Pathways Recent Graduate Program. This position is centrally managed and funded by the Air Force Personnel Center, Civilian Career Management Directorate and administered by the Civil Engineer Career Team.

Overview

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Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

11/14/2025 to 09/30/2026

Salary $61,111 to - $92,615 per year Pay scale & grade GS 9

Locations

Few vacancies in the following locations:

Gunter AFB, AL

Maxwell AFB, AL

Edwards AFB, CA

Los Angeles, CA

Show morefewer locations (14)

Peterson AFB, CO

Eglin AFB, FL

MacDill AFB, FL

Patrick AFB, FL

Robins AFB, GA

Scott AFB, IL

Hanscom AFB, MA

Kirtland AFB, NM

Wright-Patterson AFB, OH

Tinker AFB, OK

Arnold AFB, TN

Lackland AFB, TX

Hill AFB, UT

Langley AFB, VA

Remote job No Telework eligible No Travel Required Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position. Relocation expenses reimbursed No Appointment type Permanent - Internships Work schedule Full-time Service Competitive

Promotion potential

12

Job family (Series)

• 1101 General Business And Industry

Supervisory status No Security clearance Secret Drug test No Position sensitivity and risk Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

Trust determination process

• Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure No Bargaining unit status No

Announcement number R-26-DHA-12805703-KLB Control number 850081900

This job is open to

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The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Recent graduates

Individuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last 2 years or 6 years for Veterans.

Clarification from the agency

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Duties

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• Performs a variety of specific tasks designed to develop knowledge and skill in applying Acquisition Program Management principles, methods and techniques and understanding the fundamental precepts of defense systems acquisition.
• Carries out special projects designed to facilitate the full use of the intern's training and development.
• Performs a variety of specific tasks designed to develop knowledge and skill in applying Acquisition Logistics principles, methods and techniques.
• Performs taskings which are designed to increase knowledge and skill in the acquisition program management field and related areas.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov. Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For additional information, click here
• The salary range indicated in this announcement will be adjusted to include locality payment for selected duty location and/or series.
• Position may be subject to random drug testing.
• Minimum GPA of 2.95 on a 4.0 grading scale. Must meet suitability for Federal employment. Required to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.
• Disclosure of Political Appointments. This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
• A security clearance may be required. This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program. Must meet suitability for Federal employment. Required to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.
• Geographic mobility is a condition of employment. The employee must sign an Air Force-wide mobility agreement.
• Required to serve a one year probationary period.
• Successful completion of all training and regulatory requirements as identified in the applicable training plan. Employee must maintain current certifications. May be required to obtain job-related certifications.
• Position may be subject to random drug testing. Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays. Shift work and emergency overtime may be required.
• The employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position. Meeting these requirements is a condition of employment and necessary to perform the duties of the position.
• Certain positions and/or rotations require a top-secret clearance, therefore; individuals selected for these positions will be required to obtain and maintain a top-secret clearance... (continue below)
• ...as part of the clearance individuals may be required to undergo polygraph and/or drug testing as a condition of employment.

Qualifications

To qualify for a GS-09: Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B or J.D., if related. Completion of graduate level education or higher as provided in the "General Policies and Instructions" for Qualifications Standards Operating Manual (see link below)

http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as knowledge of utilizing statistical techniques and developing mathematical models in order to define and analyze problems; and advising officials of different approaches as a basis for management plans and decisions.

To view qualifying educational requirements and/or combination of education and specialized experience, click on the following link:

http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) Requirement for General Schedule (GS) Positions: Applicants must have served at least 52 weeks at the GS-07 or higher grade (or equivalent in an alternate pay system) within the Federal Civil Service to be considered for referral. The purpose of TIG restrictions is to prevent excessively rapid promotions in competitive service GS positions and to protect competitive principles.

Once the application and selection process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the applicable OPM qualification requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made. Applicants who fail to provide the necessary documentation to support their educational grade point average/masters degree requirements, qualifying experience or veterans' preference claim will be determined incomplete, ineligible or not identified as claiming veterans' preference. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your consideration in the referral and selection process.

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 acquisition program management principles, techniques, requirements, methods and practices to carry out tasks to support planning, organizing and managing weapon systems acquisition.

2. Knowledge to perform tasks to assist in the development of acquisition logistics that support the operation, maintenance, and support of the system.

3. Analytical and evaluation skills to asses capability in meeting customer or project requirements.

4. Oral and written communication skills for effective working relationships, interaction with customers, and exchange of information.

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 transcriptswith 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.

You must have completed a 6 year course of study leading to a master's degree from an accredited institution AND must have documented Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the graduate level in one of the following:

A) Class Standing - upper third of the graduating class based on completed courses in the college, university, or major subdivision

B) Grade Point Average - 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum;

OR

3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum. If more than 10 percent of total undergraduate credit hours are non-graded, i.e. pass/fail, CLEP, CCAF, DANTES, military credit, etc., you cannot qualify based on GPA.

C) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society (note: freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this position). (If qualifying based on class standing or honor society membership, provide appropriate documentation).You MUSTprovide transcripts to support your educational claims. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

PLEASE SUBMIT COPIES OF ALL TRANSCRIPTS TO INCLUDE TRANSFERRED HOURS - OFFICIAL COPIES ARE NOT REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION. IF SELECTED, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE OFFICIAL COPIES OF ALL TRANSCRIPTS.NOTE Degree Audits are not accepted.

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 DHA Positions: These positions are being filled under Direct-Hire Authority for the Department of Defense for Post-Secondary Students and Recent Graduates. The Secretary of the Air Force has delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to directly appoint qualified post-secondary students and recent graduates directly into competitive service positions; these positions may be professional or administrative occupations and are located Air Force-Wide. Positions may be filled as permanent or term with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location.

• The term "Current post-secondary student" means a person who is currently enrolled and in good academic standing at a full-time program at an institution of higher education; and is progressing toward a baccalaureate or graduate degree; and has completed at least 1 year of the program.
• The term "recent graduate" means a person awarded a degree by an institution of higher education not more than 2 years before the date of the appointment of such person, except in the case of a person who has completed a period of obligated service in a uniform service of more than 4 years.

SOCOM positions - you must be able to obtain a top secret clearance at the GS-09

Lackland AFB - you must be able to obtain and maintain a top secret clearance

Nuclear Weapons Center (NWC) regardless of the base - you must be able to obtain and maintain a top secret clearance

Wright Patterson AFB - you must be able to obtain a top secret clearance on certain position rotations to be determined at the GS-09 or above

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on