AIRMAN AND FAMILY READINESS SPECIALIST - Air National Guard Units

Summary THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION. This National Guard position is for an Airman & Family Readiness Specialist, Position Description Number T5302P02 and is part of the 158th Force Support Flight of the Mission Support Group of the Vermont Air National Guard. Responsibilities MAJOR DUTIES: 1. Responsible for the overall management, control and execution of the ANG family readiness and support programs to include Personal and Family Life Education services, Airman and Family Readiness Deployment Support, Personal Financial Readiness services, Employment Assistance, Military Child / Youth Program and Education, Transition Assistance Program - Title 32 and 10 funding, Wounded, Ill, and Injured Warrior / member and or family member, Disaster Preparedness - EFAC / AFPAAS, Relocation Assistance Program, Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), Community Outreach and Cooperative Interface, Voting Assistance Program, and Educates on Survivor Benefit Plan at the unit level. The incumbent is responsible for managing the coordination and accomplishment of the planning, scope, development, design and direction of the family readiness and support programs. Incumbent applies knowledge of management principles, applicable laws, regulations and National Guard Bureau (NGB) guidance to family readiness and support programs. Provides guidance to the ANG Wing leadership in the development and implementation of a family readiness and support program and provides family readiness assistance at the GSUs. Analyzes current Family program support for Wing Families and determines where there are gaps in service or support. Where gaps exist, develops and manages programs that support Wing Families. Monitors the success of implemented programs and makes adjustments as needed. Conducts projects and studies using a variety of analytical techniques in order to document needs and concerns in regard to family readiness and well-being. Provides continuous analysis of the effectiveness and efficiency of the products and services by gathering, interpreting, analyzing, and staying abreast of the principles, policies, program goals and methodology of the USAF and National Guard quality of life programs. Based on the results documented, the incumbent develops solutions to issues and develops and provides recommendations to senior leadership which impact substantially on the manner in which the family programs are carried out and to the implementation of program improvements identified. 2. Develops plans for an efficient resource management program and maximum support of service delivery to include resource center (discovery center), equipment, funding, tracking, and computerized systems - AFFIRST, etc. Plans include supported projections of long-term family readiness and support plans and resource needs to wing level trends and directives. Analyzes Wing/GSU family readiness and support budget functions and provide recommendations to resolve existing or forecasted shortages. Provides advice and assistance to accommodate family needs during full or partial unit mobilizations and to alleviate concern of unit members about family welfare in the event of mobilization. Provides full services during full or partial federal or state mobilizations, call-ups, and/or military support missions. Provides plans that maximize readiness and support resources for unit family member assistance during day-to-day operations and especially for Aerospace Expeditionary Force (AEF) deployments and full or partial unit mobilizations. Assesses, identifies, and determines Wing/GSU family issues, trends, needs, program priorities, and program effectiveness through utilization of appropriate research methods and resources. Analyzes ongoing family Wing/GSU services evaluation program and provides recommendations to resolve problems of overlap, duplication or conflict and to ensure effective goals and objectives are accomplished. 3. Identifies service member and family issues that require exploration, development, and resolutions, and determines appropriate methods and resources. Assess customer interactions and documents all service-related customer and community activities in AFFIRST. Uses formal and informal needs assessment to ensure long term proactive/reactive programs are available. Analyzes ongoing family Wing/GSU services evaluation program and provides recommendations to resolve problems of overlap, duplication, or conflict and to ensure effective goals and objectives are accomplished. Mandated to use AFFIRST to report all metrics to include volunteer coordination, training, and documenting volunteer hours. Products developed through analyses and assessments are used to support and sustain ANG Family Readiness and support to National Guard Bureau, US Air Force MAJCOM Family Matter, and Office of Secretary of Defense taskers. 4. Develops and prepares a variety of correspondence and other documentation i.e. formal letters, position papers, reports, briefings, charts, bullet background papers, etc. Develops and presents information for seminars, conferences, and orientation workshops as appropriate for service members, family members and volunteers. REFER TO PD FOR FULL LIST OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications The purpose of the position is to serve as the family readiness and support services representative at an ANG Wing and coordinate concurrently with the Force Support Squadron Commander/Human Resources Officer at each wing, Joint Force Headquarters - State Family Program Director, NGB Family Programs Office, and US Air Force/Major Command Family Readiness Directors. The incumbent analyzes current family support offered through the Office of Secretary of Defense, Service and State programs, identifies shortfalls, and develops, manages, and monitors programs in support of Wing Families. Additionally, incumbent provides guidance to the Wing leadership in the development and implementation of a family readiness and support program and provides family readiness assistance at the geographically separated unit. OPEN AREAS OF CONSIDERATION: AREA 1, 2, 3, 4 Area I: Current On-board Title 5 or Title 32 Dual Status Technicians (Tenure: 1-Career, 2-Conditional, 3-Indefinite or 4-Term ) - Only those current Vermont National Guard employees who are in permanent, indefinite, or term technician status as result of being competitively hired by the Vermont National Guard working at the location specified in job announcement. Area II: All current Federal Employees from any agency. Area III: All current and former members of the VTNG. Area IV: Area IV: United States citizens. * Veterans' Preference Rules are mandated by law and some applicants may receive priority consideration before other applicants without veterans' preference. Minimum Qualification Requirements: Experience, education or training which provided a general knowledge of principles of organization, management, and administration. Compiling reports, letters, memoranda, etc., and required person-to-person contacts to convey information. Progressively responsible experience which demonstrates the ability to provide technical guidance and assistance in the type of work or in comparable work of the position to be filled. Experience using computer and automation systems SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-11: 36 Months Specialized Experience,1 year specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Experience, education or training in program or managerial experience in a type of work or a combination of functions directly related to the position to be filled or in comparable work or functions. Experience developing and recommending policy; organizing and carrying out specific programs, evaluating and recommending changes in methods of operations. Experience in supervisory, staff or technical work which included study, analysis or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of managerial or administrative policies, practices and procedures. Experience preparing written communications and oral presentations. Length of time is not of itself qualifying. Candidates' experience should be evaluated on the basis of duties performed rather than strictly on the rank of the individual; however, established compatibility criteria/assignments must be followed. The applicant's record of experience, training, and education must show possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to fully perform the duties of the position to be filled. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): -Knowledge of the principles, policies, program goals and methodology of the National Guard quality of life programs, including factors that affect work and leisure environments, to identify family issues that require exploration, development, and resolutions, and determines appropriate methods and resources such as referral to social service programs and agencies, to provide information about National Guard assistance programs, to gather and analyze information on problems and difficulties of obtaining assistance using the current system, to provide programs that address such problems, and to recommend action to improve the system. --Knowledge of various analytical techniques to conduct projects and studies to evaluate program effectiveness and efficiency. --Knowledge of evaluative techniques and methods (and the ability to adapt as appropriate) to analyze reports, gather data, review suggestions, and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the ANG Family Program sufficient to recognize and define social problems, to reach accurate conclusions, and to measure and improve human services program effectiveness and productivity, and make recommendations for program improvement. --Knowledge of project management and analytical study techniques to conduct studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations. --Skill in evaluating various operational alternatives and developing recommendations for management consideration. --Ability to develop solutions based on findings of projects and studies. Ability to provide recommendations to unique and unusual issues or problems with multiple variables in order to assist family members. --Ability to provide briefings and orientations to family members and volunteers. --Ability to enhance and maximize the volunteer capability to support the family program with active volunteer services and maintaining records of volunteers for base family activities, particular services and specialty expertise. --Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships using tact and diplomacy in interacting with individuals/families and program support representatives. --Skill in using various computer software database, spreadsheet and word processing. --Ability to collect, evaluate, and disseminate information and assess strengths, weaknesses, and needs of serviced population in order to establish program goals, objectives, and procedures. --Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09 Level. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. 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 months/years. 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 Please be advised: 1. Specialized experience will be used to determine qualifications for the announced position. 2. An applicant's RESUME must provide, in detail, how they meet the specialized experience listed. 3. It must be documented with "from (mm/yy)" and "to (mm/yy)" dates and description of the specialized experience. 4. If education or a degree is required as part of the "Specialized Experience", you must include transcripts. Do not copy the specialized experience qualifications word for word and place into your resume; you must describe your personal experience as it pertains to each statement. Education Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience is allowed. Applicants may also qualify on the basis of education as follows: To qualify based on education for the GS-09 level, you must have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. (Note: You must attach a copy of your official transcripts.) Qualifying based on education alone: Education may be substituted for specialized experience with a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. (Note: You must attach a copy of your official transcripts.) In addition, completion of courses such as the Officer Advanced Course, Squadron Officer School, Command and Staff College, Air and Army War College, National Security Management Course and others of comparable level will be credited at the rate of 1 month of education for 2 months of specialized experience. PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & NOTES: -This position is subject to the Lautenberg amendment to the gun control act of 1968 which makes it a felony for anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence to ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms or ammunition. Civilian personnel of the Department of the Defense are not exempt from this provision. This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position. This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may be subject to duty in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration. This designation will not exceed 14 calendar days per year unless otherwise approved in advance by the TAG. Veterans Preference Veterans Preference: If you are claiming veteran's preference, you MUST submit the appropriate documentation. Failure to do so WILL result in the loss of veteran's preference, and will possibly impact your placement on the certificate. For more veterans' information please click https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx. - 10-Point Veterans' Preference: You must submit all supporting documentation as specified on the SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference". You can locate the SF 15 at https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf - 5-Point Veterans' Preference: You MUST submit a copy of your DD-214 which includes Character of Service (usually Member-4 copy). If you are currently active duty, you may submit written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should also include when your terminal leave will begin, your rank and dates of active duty service. If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).