IT SPECIALIST (PLCYPLN) (Title 5)
Department: Department of the Air Force
Location(s): Fort Smith, Arkansas
Salary Range: $88120 - $114563 Per Year
Job Summary: THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION This National Guard position is for a IT SPECIALIST (PLCYPLN) (Title 5), Position Description Number T5718P01 and is part of the AR ANG 188 CMN FT, National Guard.
Major Duties:
- 1. Performs studies and independently establish plans for improving the efficiency of information technology and communications processes. Performs studies of all aspects of the installation's information technology and communications programs, processes, and methods. Evaluates existing systems and capabilities and initiates feasibility studies to determine ways and means necessary to enhance mission performance. From those studies, derive cost benefits and /or required investment and recommends a best course of action along with proposed alternatives. Evaluates the impact emerging technology will have on organization capabilities, customer needs, and mission readiness, while considering the organization's resources. Develops short and long range plans designed to meet changing IT needs of the organization. Prepares justification to facilitate the prioritizing of current and future funding to support IT enhancements. Prepares documentation and briefs management officials on specifics of requirements, both hardware and software, and outlines procedures to obtain and organize enhancements. Produces system and program specifications and coordinates milestones, processing steps, program layouts, and interrelationships with management and other specialists of the IT Team. Establishes methods necessary to integrate new technology into existing architecture identifying conflicting system interface problems, and developing solutions. 2. Interprets a variety of technical requirements making independent judgments to determine organizational compliance with applicable instructions, procedures and practices. Audits IT programs, processes and projects. Continually assesses policy needs and interprets broad DoD, AF, and other higher headquarters guidance and applies it through development of policies for the area of responsibility. Establishes metrics to measure and evaluate systems and process performance, identifying workforce planning and management issues, e.g., proficiency, retention, and training. Provides organization management with factual, objective assessments of the unit's ability to perform the mission, ensuring the rigorous application of information security/information assurance policies, principles, and practices in the delivery of analysis services. Accomplishes needs analysis and feasibility studies of IT operations, consulting with process owners to specify requirements, and define opportunities to improve business processes. Provides management with information needed for direction of programs to include reports identifying limiting factors, opportunities, and availability of assets. 3. Evaluates mission effectiveness, using standardized and locally developed evaluation programs and processes. Manages the scheduling and accomplishment of managerial, personnel, technical and special evaluations. Collectively evaluates management effectiveness, performance and technical proficiency of assigned personnel, equipment, and systems condition. Coordinates and/or conducts management studies of organization, staffing, work measurement, methods, or procedures. Monitors unit standardization/evaluation programs ensuring adherence to applicable directives. Responsible for ensuring military duty position standards are established. Defines metrics and measures progress toward accomplishment of unit plans, programs, goals, and objectives. 4. Advises supervisors and managers on the evaluation of programs, policies, regulatory requirements, and procedures. Recommends the establishment of quantity or quality criterion. Develops baseline for use in measuring and analyzing organizational productivity and effectiveness. Develops process, management, administrative and technical evaluation plans for implementation. Notes deficiencies, identifies necessary resources, and recommends corrective actions. Reviews work processes to ascertain where procedures can be combined, distributed, or simplified to increase productivity, efficiency, or effectiveness. Recommends internal reporting and status tracking procedures to ensure adequate control in terms of deadlines, progress reports, and follow-up reports. Manages the evaluation program to ensure required actions are tracked and completed. Prepares and maintains files and publications IAW current directives to include both paper and electronic media. 5. Coordinates with HHQ elements, Program Management Offices, Specific System/Hardware Support Elements, OEM Vendors and Vendor Contracted support facilities for issue resolution. Research includes using various means and media to obtain needed information to accomplish the task. May require the use of various stand alone (e.g., paper based, CD, DVD, etc.) or on-line (network or web based) methodologies to obtain needed information. DUTIES CONTINUED UNDER EDUCATION:
Qualifications: GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Work in this series includes managing, supervising, leading, administering, developing, delivering, and supporting information technology (IT) systems and services. This series covers only those positions for which the paramount requirement is knowledge of IT principles, concepts, and methods, e.g., data storage, software applications, networking. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-11 - 1-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade. In addition to the OPM IORs (Alternative A) specialized experience examples, specialized experience includes experience, education, or training that approaches techniques and requirements appropriate to an assigned computer applications area or computer specialty area in an organization. Experience planning the sequence of actions necessary to accomplish the assignment where this entailed coordination with others outside the organizational unit and development of project controls. Experience that required adaptations of guidelines or precedents to meet the needs of the assignment. Experience preparing documentation on cost/benefit studies where is involved summarizing the material and organizing it in a logical fashion.
How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Application Deadline: 2026-05-11