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PROGRAM ANALYST

Non-DOD And Other Support

Pentagon, Arlington, VAFull-time$144–187K/yrPosted 1 day ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$144–187K/yr
Location
Pentagon, Arlington, VA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive focuses on jobs in the United States, including remote roles you can work from there.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Top Secret clearance, required

Job overview

The position serves as a Senior Policy Analyst in the Policy, Strategy & Actions Division of the Analysis Support Office, HQ USAF. It provides pre-decisional advice and assistance on proposed or developing DoD policy and strategy initiatives to senior officials. The analyst supports high-priority policy studies, develops and coordinates policy positions, and advises senior leaders on complex matters related to national security activities.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

National Security Policy, requiredNational Defense Strategy, requiredIntelligence, requiredProgram Analysis, requiredProgram Management, requiredPolicy Development, requiredPolicy Analysis, requiredDoD Organizational Knowledge, requiredPolitical Analysis, requiredDecision-Maker Engagement, requiredTechnical Communication, requiredGroup Leadership, requiredAnalytical Judgment, required

Qualifications

GS-13 Specialized Experience, requiredGS-13 Time-in-Grade, requiredTS/SCI Clearance Eligibility, requiredNon-Disclosure Agreement, requiredDrug Testing Compliance, required

Full job description

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as Senior Policy Analyst in Policy, Strategy & Actions Division in the Analysis Support Office, HQ USAF, with responsibility for providing pre-decisional advice and assistance concerning proposed or developing DoD policy and strategy initiatives to senior DoD officials.

Duties

Participates in special, confidential studies and projects of high priority on designated policy issues as directed by the Director, ASO and Chief, Policy Strategy & Actions Division, and accomplishes day-to-day staff functions for the development and coordination of policy positions and recommendations. Provides technical advice and staff support to the Chief, Policy, Strategy & Actions division, Director, ASO, and other senior DoD leaders on highly complex policy matters related to national security activities. Directly assists the Chief, Policy, Strategy & Actions Division to identify, coordinate and develop policy issues within OSD, the Joint Staff, the Military Departments, and other DoD agencies. Develops and maintains effective working relationships with policy representatives from other OSD organizations and the Military Departments. Qualifications

Conditions of Employment continued... Position is designated special-sensitive and incumbent must be able to obtain and retain a TOP SECRET (TS) security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) based on a Tier 5 investigation. A non-disclosure agreement must be signed. This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions present a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety. It is required that you (a) refrain from the use of illegal drugs and (b) if requested, submit to urinalysis testing. In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions, Management and Program Analysis Series 0343 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-13, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of and an appropriate mix of education and progressively responsible work experience in the areas of national security policy, issues and decision-making processes, national defense strategy, national security, intelligence, program analysis methodology and an appreciation of how these are accomplished within the individual military departments and other DoD agencies. Demonstrated awareness of program management processes, analytical abilities and technical aptitude as well as the ability to participate in groups comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds in highly productive channels. Knowledge of the U.S. intelligence community to ensure that policies coordinated are effective. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of the policies, principles, concepts, guidance, procedures, techniques, and methodologies pertaining to development, staffing, review and approval of DoD policies. Knowledge of the mission, roles, functions, organizational structures, policy issues and operation of DOD and Military Department organizations to provide pre-decisional analysis, advice and recommendations to senior-level decision- makers. Knowledge of DoD programs, organizations and activities to assess the political and institutional environment in which decisions are made and implemented. Skill in dealing with senior-level decision-makers and their immediate staffs, and in interacting with other specialists and experts in the same or related fields. Skill in communicating highly complex technical material or highly complex issues that may have controversial findings, both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and accurately, so as to facilitate the ability to formulate a decision. Skill in leading small, expert groups to generate ideas and analyze data in support of highly complex DoD initiatives. Ability to work effectively under the pressure of tight time frames and rigid deadlines; Ability to exercise judgment in all phases of analysis, ranging from identifying the most important issues when dealing with voluminous amounts of information to ensure thorough exploration of a policy issue, to evaluating evidence and developing feasible options or alternative proposals and anticipating policy consequences. 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. BASIS OF RATING: Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable. Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements. Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements. The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job. For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here. APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further. Other Information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

How this job compares

Set against the 412 open Policy Analyst jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 13, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$144–187K/yr
  • Virginia median$95–157K/yr54 salary ranges
  • US median$85–129K/yr292 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $166K, is 31% above the Virginia median midpoint ($127K) — in the top quarter of Policy Analyst salary ranges in Virginia.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 102 open Policy Analyst jobs in Virginia and 412 across the US. 5% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Virginia
Experience
This posting asks for at least 1 year of experience — less than three in four Policy Analyst postings that state a minimum ask for (median 5 years, across 345 postings).
Education
229 of the 412 open Policy Analyst jobs (56%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 13, 2026. Figures based on too few postings are left out.

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