Program Specialist (Military Records Liaison)

This position is in the Office of Field Operations (OFO), Records Acquisition and Research Division with out-based duties at the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) Maxwell, Air Force Base, Alabama. The position reports to the Supervisory Program Analyst (Classified Research Operations, Chief).

Specific duties include: Conduct onsite research of classified and sensitive military records, under the direction of the Classified Operations Chief and/or Lead Analyst, to locate and review documents that help substantiate Veterans' service-connected (S/C) disability claims. Perform day-to-day records research by pulling, reviewing, extracting, and organizing information from multiple sources, including military unit records and other documents, to reconstruct events involving units that participated in hazardous and dangerous operations, including classified and sensitive operations; verify that a Veteran's unit was present in a covered location; identify and document stressor and exposure incidents; and provide findings to support VBA claims development. Record research findings in the designated tracking tool, complete assigned research within established timeframes, and promptly inform the supervisor of issues that may affect research completion, including the expected impact on timelines. Coordinate with the onsite Department of War (DoW) facility Archivist, military service department offices, and other research agencies (such as the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations) to locate records and obtain guidance on research requests; when needed, travel to NARA and other repositories to conduct onsite research of records such as deck logs and command histories. Support internal coordination and VBA program initiatives, projects, and policy changes related to VBA military records research and supporting disability claims processing. Respond timely to inquiries from RAR management and internal and external stakeholders, verbally and in writing, by assessing requests, providing accurate research findings or status updates, and promptly referring sensitive or classified matters to RAR leadership. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. The grade progression for this position is GS-11, GS-12. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday through Friday. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: This position is eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only. The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Telework may be approved only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized for this position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist (Military Records Liaison); PD41245A and PD41246A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required. Security Clearance: Selectee must have or be able to secure and maintain a top secret clearance.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the Agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the Agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Additional Conditions of Employment are as follows: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary or trial period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements I-9 Acceptable Documents. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications. You may submit unofficial transcripts when applying. However, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to provide an official transcript or a statement from the institution (e.g., from the registrar, dean, or other appropriate official) or equivalent documentation prior to the start date.