Department of the Air Force

AIR OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Scott AFB, Illinois Full time

AIR OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Department: Department of the Air Force

Location(s): Scott AFB, Illinois

Salary Range: $91779 - $119315 Per Year

Job Summary: The primary purpose of this position is: to serve as an Air Operations Specialist responsible for duties associated with planning, analyzing, coordinating and executing US Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) validated airlift missions, execution, development of policy and directives and implementation actions for airlift operations. Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

Major Duties:

  • Responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing all aspects of airlift mission schedules in support of Air Mobility Command and/or supported Combatant Commands. Develops complex detailed Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) for high-visibility airlift missions. Ensures appropriate airlift operations changes are implemented to enhance mission performance. Develops and prepares briefs and reports on airlift operations support issues as directed by senior AMC or 618 AOC leaders and performs special complex projects as requested. Instrumental for air transportation operations procedural matters in advising senior management decision makers on complex strategic and combat delivery airlift operations issues.

Qualifications: Conditions of Employment Cont'd: to report for duty at normal times when the base is closed or delayed reporting, and remain on duty phased or early release. In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule, Administrative and Management Positions, Transportation Operations Series 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 includes Comprehensive knowledge of a wide range of transportation airlift operations concepts, principles, objectives and applicable directives in order to make independent decisions and recommendations concerning courses of action such as analyzing and resolving airlift planning issues and problems. Thorough, knowledge of aircrew flying limitations and crew rest requirements to insure that crew duty day is not exceeded and that proper rest between missions is accomplished. Thorough knowledge of the Command and Control airlift planning systems and other analysis computer programs in order to maintain current and correct airlift schedules and to create and make changes to airlift schedules. In-depth knowledge of airfield survey data and information from enroute supplements (i.e. runway length, load bearing capacity, types of fuel available, airfield firefighting capability, etc.,) which are necessary for determining the suitability of the intended destination and alternatives for cargo and passenger airlift planning support. Knowledge of diplomatic clearance requirements worldwide so missions planned to overfly or land in countries that acquire clearances are properly cleared. In-depth knowledge of commercial airlines capabilities, to include type aircraft possessed and configurations available to ensure cargo and passenger mission augmentation can be negotiated and scheduled with commercial representatives. In-depth knowledge of aircraft capabilities and limitations to include range, fuel requirements, configuration and loading and takeoff weight restrictions to insure that proper mission scheduling has been accomplished. Broad knowledge of all station and country airfield restrictions to ensure worldwide scheduling will not conflict and cargo and passenger movement will not be unnecessarily delayed. Thorough knowledge of qualitative and quantitative techniques to include modeling, for analyzing and measuring effectiveness, efficiency and productivity of air transportation programs. Thorough knowledge of the mission, organization and work processes of the transportation system throughout the CCMDs, USTRANSCOM, and Air Mobility Command. Also, a thorough knowledge of air carrier industry practices and operations. 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: 1. Knowledge of a wide range of air transportation operations policies, principles, practices, operational concepts, processes, flight following operations, procedures and guidelines, including but not limited to flight operations, Air Force flying instructions, aircrew flying limitations and crew rest requirements, Federal Aviation Regulations (FARS), airfield information and restrictions, Flight Information Publications (FLIP) documents, guidelines, worldwide route planning, international airway routes and structures, controlled and uncontrolled airspace, and worldwide diplomatic clearance requirements. 2. Knowledge of organic and commercially contracted air transportation operations, aircraft performance capabilities, restrictions, limitations, and policies. 3. Ability to conduct air transportation operations studies and detailed analysis of complex air transportation operations functions and processes. 4. Knowledge of various computer programs that pertain to the command and control of transportation operations and those systems required to perform the work. 5. Skill and ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and through verbal communication to include development of detailed Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for specific missions, as required. 6. Ability to develop executable airlift mission itineraries, to include the coordination of air refueling, if required. 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.

How to Apply: The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/10/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12901203 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.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-10