Historian

Air Force Special Operations Command•Cannon AFB, NM

About The Position

The Historian serves at a large, multifaceted Air Force wing, center, or similar self-contained organization supporting rapidly evolving high-technology and/or administrative units and tenants, which may include joint and allied military agencies. The position conducts research and writes the organization’s history, advises leadership and staff on historical matters, and supports Air Force positions on matters of congressional and legal interest. The Historian also participates in wartime and contingency operations, including deployment to contingency locations to collect and safeguard operational records.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Meet the OPM qualification requirements for the History Series 0170, including a degree in history or a related field with at least 18 semester hours in history, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level or equivalent is required.
Meet the applicable federal time-in-grade requirement: one year at GS-11 for promotion consideration at GS-12, when applicable.
Demonstrate knowledge of professional historical principles, concepts, research techniques and sources, and methodology.
Demonstrate knowledge of history programs and current operations, policies, programs, and activities, especially for a large complex installation or center.
Demonstrate knowledge of history program policies and practices for organizational research, research planning and support, research projects, research design, and military research.
Have skill and ability in oral history interviewing and research, planning complex studies, anticipating and solving problems, organizing and relating data from varied sources, and critically evaluating sources and historical facts.
Submit transcripts when using education to qualify; foreign education must be shown to be equivalent to U.S. education.
Obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
Sign an Air Force-wide mobility agreement and attend and successfully complete the Historian Training Course within nine months of hire.
Pass initial and periodic short-notice drug testing.
Meet emergency-essential requirements, including continued performance during a crisis until relieved, and sign DD Form 2365 as a condition of employment.
Meet physical and medical requirements for immediate worldwide deployment, including required examinations, fitness or agility tests, and immunizations; be able to work in remote locations with limited medical facilities.
Hold an appropriate, valid driver's license and be qualified to use required firearms; sign DD Form 2760. Certain domestic-violence convictions disqualify an individual from occupying the position.
Be able to work under adverse environmental and physical conditions, including high-threat areas, limited environmental controls, tent living, and limited privacy and facilities.
Travel frequently or for extended periods within or outside the continental United States, including by military or commercial aircraft, and obtain and maintain a government travel card.
The position may require work outside normal duty hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

Conduct research and write wing or center history using available documentary sources and information obtained from key wing, center, and tenant personnel.
Serve as an authoritative advisor and respond to historical queries; conduct outreach.
Advise staff offices, subordinate historians, and other installation activities on history reports and historical matters, providing comments and suggestions as formal guidance.
Create special studies, present lectures, participate in seminars, and conduct staff visits.
Provide specialized historical information and data to the wing or center commander and staff, other Air Force and government agencies, and other authorized individuals in support of Air Force positions on congressional and legal matters.
Participate in wartime and contingency operations and deploy to contingency locations.
When deployed, collect and safeguard documents concerning contingency operations and preserve documents in all formats that record the command’s perspective and relationship with other commands and service components.