Instructional Systems Specialist

Summary

"The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), through strategic partnerships, prepares the federal law enforcement community to safeguard America's people, property, and institutions." We are a unique inter-agency organization preparing the next generation of law enforcement officers to meet our Nation's most pressing security challenges." Click here to learn more. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized. See additional info section.

Duties

Serving as a Instructional Systems Specialist GS-1750-9 makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) team and mission. This position is located in the Office of the Associate Director for Training Ops, Training Management Operations Directorate, eLearning and Training Analytics Division, eLearning and Evaluation Branch, located in Glynco, Georgia. The primary purpose of this position is to assist in the development and evaluation of instructional design, course content and training programs. Typical duties include: Assisting in the development and revision of portions of courses or short training modules based on established guidelines. Assisting other Instructional Systems Specialists with conducting basic needs analysis to determine training requirements Applying adult learning theories, methods, strategies, bests practices, techniques of instructional curriculum development, including evaluation to assist in developing and delivering training. Verifying online training programs comply with applicable rules, directives, instructions, requirements, and procedures. Assisting with the development of curricula for courses in assigned subject fields, ensuring compliance with established guidelines and addressing complicating factors such as outdated materials or emerging technologies. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Qualifications and evaluation

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Qualifications will be evaluated on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting docs), application questionnaire, and results of the online assessments required for this position. Competencies to be assessed:Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Reading Comprehension, and Teamwork To be considered, you must complete all required steps in the process, including the application, USA Hire and Writing Sample. Online assessment: You must complete the online USA Hire Competency Based Assessments measuring critical general competencies required to perform the job. Examples used in the assessment may include general situations not directly related to customer experience. Applicants submitting complete application packages and completing the online assessment will move on to the next phase of the assessment process. The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Writing Sample: You must submit a writing sample with your application package. See Required Documents for topic and requirements. We will review your two-page resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If met, we will use multiple assessments to place you in one of three categories based on your education, training, and experience demonstrating the following competencies:Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Reading Comprehension, and Teamwork If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories: Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF), and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) from the job analysis (JA). Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the min quals and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPF's and appropriate QRFs from the JA. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meet the min quals and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs from the JA. If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Job questionnaire preview: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13043913 Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. This position is considered scientific/professional. Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. Information on veterans' preference.

Education

Positions with Positive Education: In addition to the qualifications listed above, you must possess the following level of education by the closing date of this announcement: A four-year degree that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours appropriate to the work of the position to be filled. The course work 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. 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; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home. You must submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution listing the college/university, degree confirmation date(s) and applicable courses for the position you are applying to. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

How to apply

Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. The vacancy questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions. This provides an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. To preview the questionnaire please click the link below: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13043913 Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. For more general information, system requirements, reasonable accommodation information, and to request assistance regarding the USA Hire Assessments, review the following resources: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_Assessments. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resources Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us To update your application, including supporting: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. If you are unable to apply online or need to submit a document you do not have in electronic form, visit this link for more information regarding an alternate application process. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application. Applicants must submit all required documentation to properly qualify for this position.

Required documents

Your resume (click the link for information on what to include). If you are a current or former Federal employee, your resume must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position held. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. Your responses to the job questionnaire. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13043913 Is education required for this position? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution listing the college/university, degree confirmation date(s) and applicable courses. Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information. Writing Sample: Please submit formal recommendation for consideration by management. Your recommendation will be routed to senior staff through your chain-of-command. Write for senior officials familiar with training operations. The sample must be authentically written/prepared by the applicant. Plagiarized material and use of AI tools such as ChatGPT will be grounds for immediate disqualification and removal from further consideration. Prompt: A new initiative seeks to expand virtual, asynchronous learning to relieve logistics bottlenecks in onsite training programs that blend classroom instruction with practical exercises in high-fidelity but finite venues. Central to this initiative is eFLETC, a Learning Management System managed by your division. You have access to subject-matter experts, a generic asset library, and a team able to create multimedia assets. Write a recommendation describing how e-learning concepts can be integrated into existing traditional law enforcement training while maintaining realism, engagement, and high training quality. Address design, delivery, assessment, and evaluation, and include considerations specific to law enforcement training (e.g., scenario realism, psychomotor skill practice, safety). Length: 800-1000 words Format: Submit a typed response as a .docx or .pdf. Use clear headings as needed. Do not include classified or sensitive operational details. Confidentiality: Do not include SPII, PCII, CVI, or other restricted information. Use only general, non-sensitive operational descriptions. Original Work: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot) or AI-assisted writing/editing is prohibited. Submissions suspected of AI generation may be disqualified. Are you a veteran? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit the following: A copy of your agency notice, A copy of your most recent performance rating, and A copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title, Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee), Agency, Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

Additional information

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here:https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire A Recruitment OR Relocation Incentive may be authorized up to 15% of pay. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is not authorized. This position will be filled at the GS-09 level. If selection is made at the GS-09 level, promotion to the GS-11 and GS-12 level may occur without further competition. The Federal Law Enforcement Centers encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the FLETC mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, the FLETC requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for suitability/fitness as a condition of placement in this non-sensitive, moderate risk position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. There are a range of physical demands depending on the course demands. The work requires walking, standing, bending, or sitting that may be tiring or uncomfortable. There is the need to carry equipment and packages or containers. Travel to field locations to coordinate training activities may be involved. The normal workplace is a classroom or office although some outside settings may be used. Appropriate safety practices will be utilized at all times. Safety gear will be used if needed. Position may be required to drive a government-owned or government-leased vehicle to perform duties.