Become an Education Services Specialist at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

If you are a passionate professional in adult education, academic advising, or career counseling, the Department of the Air Force offers a direct path to a meaningful, high-impact civilian career. Currently, the Air Force Materiel Command is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Education Services Specialist at the historic Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. This civilian, direct-hire role offers a competitive salary, robust federal benefits, and the chance to directly support the academic and professional development of active-duty military personnel, their dependents, retired service members, and federal civilian workers.

Operating within the Department of Defense's Acquisition Demonstration (AcqDemo) project, this position is graded as an NH-02, which encompasses professional duties and pay ranges equivalent to the traditional GS-05 through GS-11 federal pay grades. If you meet the positive educational requirements and possess a strong desire to serve those who serve our country, this is an exceptional opportunity to build a long-term federal career.

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About the Agency: Air Force Materiel Command & 88 FSS

The Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) delivers airpower supremacy through research, development, testing, evaluation, and acquisition support. From the lab to the flight line, AFMC ensures that Airmen have the state-of-the-art systems and support they need to succeed across the globe. Within AFMC, the 88th Force Support Squadron (88 FSS/FSDE) oversees the critical mission of force development, military personnel services, and community support programs.

The Air Force's vision revolves around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting, and Integrating Operations. These values are anchored by a commitment to integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all things. As an Education Services Specialist, you will join a supportive community of professionals whose daily mission is to equip the defense community with the academic tools, counseling, and guidance required to keep the nation safe, innovative, and resilient.

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Job Responsibilities

The Education Services Specialist serves as a strategic advisor, program administrator, and subject matter expert. You will manage tuition assistance initiatives, career development resources, and academic counseling systems.

Key responsibilities are divided into four primary duties:

• Individual Academic and Career Advisement: Provide custom advising sessions for military personnel of all ranks, their families, and DoD civilians. You will guide them through undergraduate, graduate, technical, professional licensing, and certification options.
• Technical Program Management: Act as the base expert on military-specific programs. You will assess eligibility, evaluate potential, and process enrollments for programs such as the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), Air Force Commissioning opportunities, and Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Services (DANTES).
• Outreach & Public Relations: Plan, schedule, and execute regular briefings and informational workshops for base units to advertise educational resources. Additionally, you will write, design, and distribute local brochures, newsletters, and promotional guides.
• Data Reporting & Special Projects: Keep detailed academic files, track progress metrics, and prepare formal education reports for higher headquarters. You will establish administrative suspense files to ensure all application materials, funding requests, and institutional records are filed in a timely manner.

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Job Requirements and Qualifications

To be considered for this position, candidates must meet both the general federal employment standards and the highly specific Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) defined by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for the 1740 Educational Services series.

Basic Educational Requirements

Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited university. Your academic records must show that your degree included, or was supplemented by, at least 24 semester hours in one or a combination of the following fields:

1. Adult Education: Studies regarding adult learning styles, teaching-learning theories, and development systems.
2. Educational Program Administration: Structural management, planning, and organizing continuing education frameworks.
3. Curriculum Development: The structural principles and techniques of constructing courses of study for vocational or adult programs.
4. Teaching Methods: Instructional strategies specifically tailored to adult learners.
5. Guidance and Counseling: Career planning theories, counseling models, and student support structures. (Note: Guidance Counselor pathways require a university-sponsored counseling practicum).
6. Tests and Measurement: Administration, grading, evaluation, and psychological or occupational analysis of standardized assessments.
7. Career Planning & Occupational Information: Understanding occupational structures, community resources, and vocational choice systems.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

Successful performance in this role requires a distinct blend of administrative acumen and interpersonal talent, specifically:

• A firm grasp of adult learning philosophies, academic practices, and institutional accreditation processes.
• The ability to interpret complex federal regulations, administrative instructions, and military directives to make accurate, consistent local decisions.
• Skills in conducting detailed interviews and delivering clear, persuasive group presentations.
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills, alongside strong customer service standards based on diplomacy, patience, and discretion.

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Salary Overview and the NH-02 Pay Band

The position offers a salary range of $42,253 to $100,703 per year depending on qualifications, experience, and performance. Because this job operates under the DoD AcqDemo project, standard General Schedule (GS) step-increase intervals are replaced with a broad-band system, which rewards high-performing employees with competitive raises and performance-based incentives.

Pay Band & Equivalent	Minimum Annual Salary	Maximum Annual Salary	Performance Framework
NH-02 (GS-05 to GS-11 Equivalent)	$42,253	$100,703	Performance-Based Contributions & Flexible Broadband Setting

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Comprehensive Federal Benefits

Civilians employed by the Department of the Air Force receive some of the most stable and comprehensive benefits package available in the workforce, designed to support physical health, financial security, and personal well-being:

• Health and Wellness: Multiple federal employee health benefit plans (FEHB), including dental, vision, and flexible spending accounts (FSA).
• Retirement Security: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension plan, combined with the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which features up to 5% agency matching contributions.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid annual vacation, cumulative sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Career Growth: Tuition reimbursement options, military leave for active reserves, and specialized federal leadership training tracks.

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Expert Application Tips

Applying for a federal job requires precision and strict adherence to rules. To ensure your resume clears initial screenings and moves on to the hiring manager, incorporate these expert strategies:

1. Observe the Strict Two-Page Resume Rule: Do not submit a long resume. Any resume exceeding two pages will be disqualified. Focus only on relevant academic, training, and advising achievements.
2. Quantify Your Work Experience: For every single job listed on your resume, you must state the month/year start and end dates along with the number of hours worked per week (e.g., August 2021 to Present | 40 hours/week). If this information is missing, your application will be marked ineligible.
3. Include All Unofficial Transcripts: Because this position has a mandatory positive education requirement, you must upload high-quality copies of your college transcripts. Verify that the classes match the required 24 semester hours before submitting.
4. Avoid Personal Identifiers: Do not put photos, age, marital status, gender, or Social Security numbers anywhere on your application documents. Applications containing personal identifiers will be automatically removed from consideration.
5. Submit Before the Cut-Offs: Although this is an open continuous announcement closing on October 12, 2026, the initial application cut-off is October 12, 2026. Apply as early as possible to be referred on early hiring certificates.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is this job open to the general public?

Yes, this position is open to all U.S. citizens. It utilizes Direct Hire Authority, streamlining the standard civil service hiring pipeline to place qualified individuals into vacant positions quickly.

Q2: What are the primary working hours and location?

This is a full-time, on-site position at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Fairborn, Ohio. Telework and remote work are not offered for this specific role.

Q3: How is part-time or volunteer experience credited?

Part-time, temporary, and volunteer service (such as Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or community-based tutoring) is credited exactly like full-time work, provided you specify the number of hours worked per week and the concrete duties performed.

Q4: Does this job require a military service commitment?

No. This is a Department of the Air Force civilian position (civil service). You are a federal employee, not a member of the armed forces.

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Stepping into the role of an Education Services Specialist at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base allows you to build a stable federal career while delivering invaluable support to our military community. By matching your qualifications with a strong resume, you can join the Air Force Materiel Command's mission of developing resilient, highly educated individuals. Gather your academic transcripts, tailor your resume to the 1740 occupational standard, and submit your application today.