Department of the Air Force

SCHOOL LIAISON SPECIALIST

Kadena Air Base Okinawa, Japan Full time

SCHOOL LIAISON SPECIALIST

Department: Department of the Air Force

Location(s): Kadena Air Base Okinawa, Japan

Salary Range: $76463 - $99404 Per Year

Job 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: To implement and manage the installation level School Liaison Program and serve as a PreK-12 Education subject matter expert and advisor for the installation commander, tenant unit and squadron commanders, local education agencies, and families regarding military-connected students.

Major Duties:

  • As the installation School Liaison Specialist complies with Department of Defense (DOD)requirements; actively advocates for military-connected students and their families' seeking solutions to PreK-12 education related issues, concerns, and unresolved needs. Works with the Installation Commander, senior officers, tenant unit commanders, geographically separated units, local education leaders, homeschool families, community stakeholders, as well as state representatives. Tracks and analyze military-connected student, educator, and command team concerns to identify recurring issues and trends, and to evaluate their impact on the Installation Commander's goals and future regarding PreK-12 Education in the community. Establishes proactive plans to ensure military-connected students and families concerns with PreK-12 education are addressed and elevated to respective Installation Command team, and local community leaders. Represents the Installation Commander with a variety of local education agencies, installation and functional area organizations. Facilitates efforts to implement training, education, and operational programs to build understanding and operational efficiency between community partners and the installation. Integrates partnership within Air Force, Department of Defense Components, and other agencies to track and analyze data to increase program efficiency, effectiveness and support. Works with functional counterparts at HQ USAF, and other branches of service functionals and installation representatives in response to legislative directions, funding issues, policy changes, and their impact. Reviews Government Accountability Office, Veteran Service Organization (VSO), Department of Education and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) reports as appropriate to education, and social-emotional wellbeing of military-connected students.

Qualifications: ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: This position has been identified as having "regular contact with children". In accordance with (IAW) Public Law 101-647 Section 231, and Public Law 102-190, Section 1094 and DoD Instruction 1402.05, background checks are required. DD Form 2981 Basic Criminal History and Statement of Admission, Installation Records, FBI fingerprint, and Tier 3 with a State Criminal History Repository (SCHR) check will be completed on any person selected for this position. Renewal every five years of the Installation Records, FBI Fingerprint and SCHR is required with annual review of DD Form 2981. A Bachelor's degree in a related field of K-12 education, special education, developmental psychology, child or youth development, or another appropriate degree from an accredited college; or a combination of education and experience that provides knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a 4- year course of study in one of the related fields is highly desired. Must maintain official US passport and required visas. Physical Requirement - selectee is required to meet specific physical standards and medical requirements consistent with being able to perform the essential functions of the overseas position. 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. 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. Example of specialized experience includes work that has provided knowledge of a wide range of laws, regulations, policies and precedents which affect the use of program and related support resources (people, money, or equipment) governing military connected student school support programs; developing solutions, evaluating and defending programs to higher levels of local, state, and federal government based on knowledge and understanding of departmental goals, vision, policy, and programs relating to military school issues; determining the effectiveness and efficiency of primary and secondary education programs and projects; and resolving issues or concerns identified by the community regarding PreK-12 education. 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 and ability to assess a wide range of federal, state, and local education laws, Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force directives and policies, regulations, precedents, executive orders, instructions, concepts, processes, procedures regarding school safety and security governing military-connected students' education. 2. Knowledge of the Federal Government's interrelationships with State, local educational agencies, and PreK-12 education standards, program objectives, with accompanying ability to apply them towards developing comprehensive, sound guidance, procedures, and application to drive solutions for program operations and to meet installation goals. 3. Knowledge of and skill to apply process improvement techniques such as benchmarking, metric/statistical analysis and data analysis, in resolution of PreK-12 issues and concerns identified in the community. 4. Skill in gathering, assembling, and compiling data, conducting reviews, drawing conclusions, predicting trends, devising solutions, and preparing qualitative and narrative reports for a variety of offices and agencies; establishing and maintaining records; and managing resources to enhance accomplishment of program goals and mission. 5. Ability to utilize interview theories and techniques to gather critical information to advise command teams, community leaders and families by negotiating, advocating, and building consensus while facilitating cooperative and collaborative relationships within federal, state, and local agencies. 6. Ability to establish effective working relationships and present information to senior leadership, state and local education stakeholders: prepare and deliver briefings, conduct workshops, seminars, and teleconferences. 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 (EST) on 03/13/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12904244 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: 2026-03-13