INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS SPECIALIST

Summary

This position is covered under the Federal Excepted Service under Title 10 United States Code, Section 1746 and Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations Schedule A, Section 213.3106(h).

Duties

Performs the following duties in support of Warfighting Acquisition University learning assets and training environment: 1. Analysis & Requirements Definition - Conducts needs assessments, front-end analyses, and job/occupational analyses to determine training gaps and performance requirements. - Collaborates with Learning Directors (LDs), Program Managers (PMs), SMEs, and stakeholders to finalize requirements, learning outcomes, and solution recommendations. 2. Instructional Design & Learning Architecture - Leads the design of learning for assigned courses, credentials, or micro-learning assets. - Develops Design Documents including, Learning objectives and outcomes, Assessment strategies, Bloom's level alignment, Minimum content coverage requirements, Performance-based learning approaches, Visual and instructional design principles. - Advises on instructional material formats, delivery modes, and technology selection. - Ensures adherence to adult learning principles, accessibility requirements, and Warfighting Acquisition University quality standards. 3. Instructional Material Development - Develops, reviews, or revises instructional materials such as storyboards, lesson plans, facilitator guides, eLearning modules, multimedia scripts, and learner resources. - Designs or specifies training aids, simulations, job aids, and technology-enhanced learning tools. 4. Contractor Oversight & Quality Assurance - Evaluates deliverables from contractor ISDs using checklists, rubrics, and documented change requests. - Reviews contractor-developed: Design Documents, Multimedia products, Accessibility components, Support materials, storyboards, and test items. 5. Assessment, Test & Measurement - Develops or reviews objective tests, performance assessments, rubrics, and evaluation instruments. - Ensures assessments are valid, reliable, and aligned with performance requirements. - Supports assessment strategy development across learning assets and credentials. Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and evaluation

To qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described above. A Warfighting Acquisition University screening panel will review your resume and narrative answers to the hiring criteria to evaluate your qualifications for the position. You MUST upload a Cover Letter from your resume addressing the following hiring criteria: Scenario: You are the lead Government Instructional Systems Designer assigned to develop a new course titled "Introduction to Government Contracting Processes." A Subject Matter Expert (SME) has drafted the following learning objectives for the first module of the course. The SME is very proud of the objectives that were created. Your task is to review these objectives and provide recommendations with justification for improvement before the design phase proceeds. SME Drafted Learning Objectives Understand government contracting. Learn about different contract types. Know the steps for procurement. Become familiar with important contracting documents. Gain awareness of roles involved in contracting. Assessment Prompt: Review the SME provided learning objectives in the scenario. Then respond to the following: Provide constructive feedback identifying issues or areas needing improvement. Revise learning objectives as appropriate using accepted instructional design standards, including: Measurable action verbs Clear performance expectations Conditions and criteria when appropriate Justify each recommendation by explaining how your revisions improve instructional quality and support: Measurability Alignment with assessments Clarity for learners and SMEs Instructional strategy decisions Adherence to standards Your response should be concise yet thorough, demonstrating your ability to critique SME input, apply ISD methodology, and justify design decisions. Applicants should respond in 5-10 sentences, demonstrating the ability to critique SME input diplomatically, apply instructional theory, and justify design decisions. Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.ssc-cc@mail.mil

Education

WarU Faculty Pay Band Minimum Education and Specialized Experience Requirements: WarU Pay Band A (AD-11) (Equivalent to a GS-09 through GS-13 General Schedule grade equivalency): Minimum Education and Specialized Experience: Basic requirements for Band A include a minimum of a Bachelor level degree and up to four years of experience in the appropriate functional area. Please note: Technical certifications and/or experience may be approved by the WarU Chief of Staff (delegated from the WarU President) to meet the needs of the University. ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? If the position you are applying for has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with your application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package and completed by 11:59 PM (ET) by the closing date of this announcement. See required documents below. 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 (your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications). If you submit more than one copy of your resume, only the most recent (latest) version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent." It is your responsibility to check the status and timestamp of all documents you submit as part of your application. If your resume includes photographs (or links to social media), inappropriate material, inappropriate content, or personal information such as age, sex, religion, social security number, etc., you will not be considered for this vacancy. For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., hours per week and 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. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 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. The DFAS Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant. ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD-Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD-Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following: Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member Branch of Armed Forces Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s) Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty Terminal leave start date (if applicable) Expected character of service/discharge and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement) Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander. Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form-214 must be submitted upon receipt. Note: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information and documents entered or uploaded are received, legible, and accurate.

Required documents

You must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume: A two-page maximum resume is required. Applicant guidance on the two page resume requirement may be found at: Learn more about the new resume requirements. Complete Initial Eligibility Questionnaire: Your resume must demonstrate the quality of your work as it relates to the experience requirements outlined in the job announcement. Cover letter with narrative responses answering hiring criteria questions listed in the "How you will be evaluated" section of this announcement. Failure to submit will result in an ineligible rating. Other Supporting Documents The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications may be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. They MUST be received by the closing date of the announcement. Online Application: Questionnaire Resume: For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) 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 should list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn), inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, sex, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. Your name MUST be included on your resume. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license. Veterans: If claiming VEOA, VRA or 30% Disabled Veteran - Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD-Form 214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge). This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD-Form 214. If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran, you must also submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces. NOTE: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15. For additional Veteran's information please visit: http://www.usajobs.gov/ei/VetPreference.asp or http://www.fedshirevets.gov SF-50: Current and former federal employees, including those currently working for the agency, must submit their SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) reflecting their highest grade held on a permanent basis for at least 52 weeks, tenure, and appointment type. Failure to provide this document may result in disqualification. NOTE: Transcripts are not required at time of application submission. Your resume and narrative answers to the hiring criteria will be reviewed by the Warfighting Acquisition University screening panel to evaluate your qualifications for the position. If selected for an interview, official transcripts will be requested at that time to verify educational requirements are met.

Additional information

This position is in the Excepted Service. For more information regarding Excepted Service employment please visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/help/working-in-government/service/ If you are a current Federal civilian employee in the Federal Competitive Service, if selected, you must sign a statement of understanding acknowledging you are transitioning from the Federal Competitive Service to the Federal Excepted Service. Initial appointment is made for a period of three years, conditional upon satisfactory completion of a WarU probationary period of two years. At the one year mark, as part of an annual review, consideration is given to extending the appointment; thus at any one time moving beyond that point an employee will have two years remaining. WarU employees enjoy flexible work schedules and transit subsidy. At the supervisor's discretion. WarU participates in e-Verify with the Department of Homeland Security and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. If selected for this position, you must be able to start employment within 30 days of acceptance (unless otherwise approved by WarU). Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. Accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 2-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoW Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.