Instruction Systems Specialist

Job 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).

Major 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.

Qualification

Please reference the Education section of this announcement to review the Warfighting Acquisition University Faculty Pay Band Minimum Education and Specialized Experience Requirements To qualify for this position at a respective band/grade level, you must demonstrate in your resume/application that you possess the required years of specialized experience one band/grade-level lower (or equivalent) to include having specialized experience directly relating to the specific duties of the position, and demonstrate that you have the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience areas include, but are not limited to, curriculum development, instructional design, creating or delivering adult education, creating or conducting corporate training, managing or supporting the selection and implementation of learning systems, conducting job/task or other performance needs analysis, creating program or product evaluation tools, or supporting program or product evaluation activities. Experience using instructional design theories, models, practices, and methodologies; determining media selection and development practices for training environments; choosing appropriate learning and instructional technologies and deciding application for training environments; Evaluating learning and development services, programs, and products Highly Desired: Experience developing learning assets for the Department of War or other Federal Government organizations using the currently accepted methodology(s) for Instructional Systems Design. 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.

Education

Warfighting Acquisition University Faculty Pay Band Minimum Education and Specialized Experience Requirements: Warfighting Acquisition University 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 Warfighting Acquisition University Chief of Staff (delegated from the Warfighting Acquisition University 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.

Evaluations

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