Computer Scientist

AF Force Renewal (DAF); Johnstown (AL); On-site; USD 56,763 - 99,314; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Promotion potential

Job summary

AF Force Renewal in the United States is offering the PALACE Acquire Intern program, a 3-year formal training plan with yearly salary increases and a path to a permanent position upon successful completion. You will gain hands-on experience in software and system life cycle activities and work under supervision to develop engineering skills.

The program includes a structured training plan, a GS 7–9 level progression, and relocation considerations for selected locations. Applicants should be U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in operations research or 24 semester hours in math/statistics with calculus credits.
• Superior Academic Achievement required for GS-7; 2 years of graduate study for GS-9.
• Knowledge of computer operations and standard software applications.

Responsibilities

• Performs development of moderate computer architectural work assignments following the software and system life cycle.
• Performs recurring technical assignments with guidance from supervisor and SMEs.
• Performs software and system development and troubleshooting as directed.
• Reviews current status information pertinent to software and system efforts and their schedules.

Skills

Operations research

Data analysis

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Operations Research

24 semester hours in math/statistics

Job description

Summary

The PALACE Acquire Program offers you a permanent position upon completion of your formal training plan. As a Palace Acquire Intern you will experience both personal and professional growth while dealing effectively and ethically with change, complexity, and problem solving. The program offers a 3-year formal training plan with yearly salary increases. Promotions and salary increases are based upon your successful performance and supervisory approval.

Overview

Open 09/29/2025 - 09/28/2026

Salary

$56,763 to $99,314 per year (varies by location)

Pay scale & grade

GS 7 – 9

Locations

• Gunter AFB, AL
• Maxwell AFB, AL
• Davis Monthan AFB, AZ
• Edwards AFB, CA
• Los Angeles, CA
• Travis AFB, CA
• Vandenberg AFB, CA
• Buckley AFB, CO
• Cheyenne Mountain AFB, CO
• Peterson AFB, CO
• Schriever AFB, CO
• Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, DC
• Cape Canaveral, FL
• Eglin AFB, FL
• Hurlburt Field, FL
• MacDill AFB, FL
• Patrick AFB, FL
• Tyndall AFB, FL
• Robins AFB, GA
• Barksdale AFB, LA
• Hanscom AFB, MA
• Heath, MA
• Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
• Andrews AFB, MD
• Whiteman AFB, MO
• Offutt AFB, NE
• Holloman AFB, NM
• Kirtland AFB, NM
• Nellis AFB, NV
• Rome, NY
• Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
• Tinker AFB, OK
• Arnold AFB, TN
• Dyess AFB, TX
• Fort Sam Houston, TX
• Goodfellow AFB, TX
• Lackland AFB, TX
• Randolph AFB, TX
• Dahlgren, VA
• Langley AFB, VA
• Pentagon, Arlington, VA
• Fairchild AFB, WA
• Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
• Warren AFB, WY

Remote job

No

Telework eligible

No

Travel Required

Occasional travel – You may be expected to travel for this position.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Appointment type

Internships

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

• Competitive
• Promotion potential

Job family (Series)

1550 Computer Science

Supervisory status

No

Security clearance

Top Secret

Drug test

Yes

Position sensitivity and risk

Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

• Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure

No

Bargaining unit status

No

Announcement number

K-26-DHA-12806825-GAA

Control number

846731400

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Students

Current students enrolled in an accredited high school, college or graduate institution.

Recent graduates

Individuals who graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last 2 years or 6 years for Veterans.

Duties

• Performs developmental of moderate difficult computer architectural work assignments utilizing computer science and engineering techniques to develop skills in planning, implementing, and coordinating the computing architectural efforts through the introduction to the phases of the software and system life cycle in accordance with accepted Computer Science practices.
• Performs recurring technical assignments to defined security standards where few problems are expected to arise with guidance from supervisor, implements software development solutions based on existing implementation plans developed in concert with SMEs.
• Performs software and system development and troubleshooting as directed by the supervisor or team lead.
• Reviews current status information pertinent to software and system efforts and their associated plans and schedules.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• A security clearance may be required
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Position may be subject to random drug testing
• Employee must maintain current certifications
• Student Loan Repayment may be authorized
• Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position
• Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• PCS expenses if authorized will be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations
• Total salary varies depending on location of position
• You will be required to serve a one-year probationary period
• Some position under this announcement may require either a secret, top secret, or special sensitive clearance.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT A bachelor’s degree in operations research; or at least 24 semester hours in a combination of operations research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical logic, science, or subject-matter courses requiring substantial competence in college-level mathematics or statistics. At least 3 of the 24 semester hours must have been in calculus.

You may qualify if you meet one of the following:

1. GS-7: You must have completed or will complete a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s from an accredited institution AND must have documented Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the undergraduate level in one of the following: a) Class standing-upper third of the graduating class based on completed courses in the college, university, or major subdivision. b) Grade Point Average 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum. c) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society (note: freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements). (Submit a copy of your transcript, a degree audit will not be accepted) If qualifying based on class standing or honor society membership, provide appropriate documentation.
2. GS-9: You must have completed 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree: 2) Grade Point Average – 2.95 or higher... (description continues)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

1. Professional operations research knowledge to apply scientific methods and techniques to analyze systems, process and/or operational problems and procedures.
2. Ability to analyze, interpret and apply operations research rules and procedures in a variety of situations and recommend effective solutions to senior analysts.
3. Ability to perform extensive inquiry into basic data to discover facts or fundamental relationships.
4. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
5. Knowledge of computer operations and standard software applications.

Education

This position has an education requirement. You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Please submit copies of all Transcripts.

Additional information

For DHA Positions: These positions are being filled under Direct-Hire Authority for the Department of Defense for Post-Secondary Students and Recent Graduates. The Secretary of the Air Force has delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to directly appoint qualified post-secondary students and recent graduates directly into competitive service positions; these positions may be professional or administrative occupations and are located Air Force-Wide. Positions may be filled as permanent or term with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Required documents

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration.

1. Online Application: Questionnaire
2. Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable.
3. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
4. Veterans: If claiming VEOA, VRA or 30% Disabled Veteran – Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD Form 214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge).
5. Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action.
6. Promotion Consideration: If you wish to be considered as a promotion candidate and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirements. You will need to provide additional SF-50s which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements.

Agency contact information

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Address: AF Force Renewal, 550 C Street W, JBSA Randolph AFB, TX 78150, US

Next steps

After you submit your application, you will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required.

Your application will remain active through the open period of this Public Notice. Once this Public Notice closes, you must reapply.

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance: Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Financial suitability New employee probationary period Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy Selective Service Signature and false statements Social security number request