Instructional Systems Specialist (Advanced Academic Programs and Services).

About the Role

Serves as the subject matter expert providing policy guidance on Advanced Academic Programs and Services (AAPS) for PreK-12 students. Represents the Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) in meetings with various agencies and departments of the Federal Government relating to areas of educational expertise.

Responsibilities

• Provides training to staff regarding AAPS procedures, updates, and strategic plans.
• Reviews staffing allocations for all schools and develops recommendations as appropriate.
• Assesses system-wide effectiveness in defined teaching areas by monitoring the implementation of curriculum and performance standards.
• Provides reports to the Associate Director and Assistant Associate Director concerning program performance standards and instructional material needs.
• Serves as the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

Requirements

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship required.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• One-year probationary period may be required.
• Appointment subject to a suitability/fitness determination, as determined by a background investigation.
• This position requires a Tier 1 (T1) investigation and submission of a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) or a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
• You may be required to sign a transportation agreement.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Requirement.

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social).

Basic Requirement for Instructional Systems Specialist:

• Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher) that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours appropriate to the work of the position. The coursework must have included study in at least four of the following five areas:
  • Learning theory, psychology of learning, educational psychology: Study of learning theories as they relate to the systematic design, development, and validation of instructional material.
  • Instructional design practices: Study of the principles and techniques used in designing training programs, developing design strategy and models, and applying design methods to the improvement of instructional effectiveness.
  • Educational evaluation: Study of the techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of instructional/educational programs, including developing written and performance tests and survey instruments, and determining reliability and validity of evaluation instruments.
  • Instructional product development: Study of the techniques appropriate for developing training materials, including identifying learner characteristics, specifying objectives, applying training strategy, validating training materials, and evaluating training.
  • Computers in education and training: Study of the application of computers in education and training, including selecting appropriate computer software.
• Transcripts are required to verify education. Failure to provide transcripts will result in application rejection.

Specialized Experience:

• One year of specialized experience implementing effective instructional programs for PK-12 advanced academic program students (AAPS).
• Experience conducting market research to assess PreK-12 AAPS curriculum program alignment and effectiveness.
• Experience overseeing compliance with local AAPS regulations.
• Experience preparing oral or written presentations to stakeholders regarding the planning and development of PK-12 AAPS programs.
• All qualifying experience must have been gained while serving full-time in a PK-12 above school level role (e.g., district, state, central office). This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service or equivalent (GS-12).
• One year is defined as 365 days or 52 weeks of full-time experience, whichever comes sooner.

Foreign Education:

If using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign education programs and deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program. For further information, visit the relevant U.S. government website.

Additional Information

• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from the Department of War referral system for displaced employees.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.
• Effective January 1, 2018, most civilian employee relocation allowances became taxable under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) reimburses eligible employees for additional Federal, State, and local income taxes incurred as a result of receiving taxable travel income. RITA does not apply to new government employees or employees returning from an overseas assignment for the purpose of separation from Government service.
• This position requires a 1-year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Reasonable Accommodation (RA) requests for online assessments are available for candidates with disabilities covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Requests must be submitted prior to starting the assessments.