PROTOCOL SPECIALIST

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as protocol advisor to the 16 AF Commander and HQ 16 AF senior staff. Incumbent serves as the consultant for 16 AF worldwide activities on matters dealing with, and related to protocol, conferences, special events, ceremonies and distinguished visitors. **Salary ranges include local market supplements.**

Duties

Manages and coordinates protocol efforts across the 16 AF enterprise. Research, interprets, analyzes, and applies all protocol guidance and polices outlined in DAFI 90-1201, Protocol. Accomplish work assigned by the Chief of Protocol based on organization priorities, considerations of difficulty and to effectively meet organization and customer needs. Establishes, develops, and maintains effective working relationships with Air Force, Joint Services, Joint Base San Antonio, foreign embassies, state and local organizations' executive staff and greets high-ranking dignitaries upon their arrival to the installation. Instructs and educates conference/summit project officer on proper customs and courtesies for any special award presentations and recognitions during conferences.

Qualifications

This is a GG-11 position in the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). The GG-11 duties for the "Professional" work category are at the "Full Performance" work level and are equivalent to those at the GS-11 level. The selectee's salary will be set within the grade equivalent to a GS/GG grade based on the selectee's qualifications in relation to the job. 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 EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must reflect the quality level of experience which demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance required for this position. Examples of creditable experience include knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methods of executing protocols regarding conferences, special events, ceremonies and distinguished visitors that has been supplemented by skill gained through job experience to permit independent performance of recurring assignments, expanded professional or administrative knowledge gained through relevant graduate study or experience which has provided skill in carrying out assignments, operations, and procedures, and skill in applying this knowledge to such assignments as the design and planning of difficult, but well-precedented projects. OR EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your official transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade level specified. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your official transcripts. 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 protocol, official funding sources, administrative and security regulations, instructions, methods and procedures. 2. Knowledge of the organization and its functions sufficient to process incoming and outgoing correspondence. 3. Knowledge of ceremonies for Air Force, other U.S. Armed Forces, Department of State, and other organizations within the federal government. Conducts analysis of complex ceremonial functions and procedures to determine appropriate requirements and independently resolving problems areas and making on-the-spot decisions to correct any problems. 4. Knowledge of rank structure of U.S. or foreign military and civilian distinguished visitors. 5. Knowledge of religious preferences, cultural differences, customs and courtesies, dietary restrictions, personal interests and habits of foreign and domestic distinguished visitors in order to afford the proper courtesies and amenities. 6. Skilled in diplomacy when dealing with high-level officials and senior Major Command members, joint agency staff either in person, video teleconferencing or on the telephone and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT CONT'D: 1. Position is designated special-sensitive and requires eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. A non-disclosure agreement must be signed. 2. DRUG TESTING: This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Testing Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety. 3. The work requires frequent long periods of standing for briefings, seminars, ceremonies, conferences/summits, social events, flight line arrivals, meeting/greeting guests and movement among various locations during visits and tours. Work is sometimes settled. Work is accomplished both inside and outside workspaces. The incumbent may be required to function in varying weather conditions. 4. Incumbent must be able to work under stressful conditions and cope with problems created by dealing on a day-to-day basis with high-ranking officials. Perform well in a fast-paced environment, by frequent changes in visit itineraries, conference schedules, social events, guest lists, menus, facility availability, etc. 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.

Evaluations

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements. Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements. Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements. Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

How to apply The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/22/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13089336 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. 4. Return Rights: Per AFI 36-1101 - DCIPS employees have no statutory right of return to the previous position, unit, or geographic location. 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.

Other information Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here. Selectees who physically reside permanently in the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during the entire recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) and selected for employment in the foreign area are eligible to receive certain foreign area benefits such as: Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) or government quarters, Post Allowance, Home Leave, etc. (subject to approval) Selectees who physically reside outside the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during any step of the recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) will have foreign area benefits eligibility be determined on a case by case basis.