ESL/EFL INSTRUCTOR

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to plan and conduct classroom instruction of English as a Second/Foreign language (ESL/EFL) and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and to train teachers to be ESL/EFL instructors. Military student ranks include cadets, privates, Non-Commisioned Officers (NCO), officers, general officers and senior civilian executive service equivalent members who represent all age groups, services, educational, cultural and religious backgrounds.

Duties

• Prepare lesson plans by selecting from and adapting instructor texts, guides, and/or commercial texts or developing a unique plan of instruction (POI) to meet the specific linguistic or pedagogical needs of a group of students when other guidance is unavailable. Provide instruction to an extremely diverse student body from over 100 countries; students range in age from 18 to over 60 and come from varying cultural and religious backgrounds. Counsel students and make recommendations for student placement, remedial and enrichment training, based on observation, assessment, and evaluations. Establish learning environment conducive to adult English as a Second Language (ESL)/English as a Foreign Language (EFL)/English for Specific Purposes(ESP) learning and to ESL/EFL teacher training. Provide appropriate physical learning environment by ensuring room is orderly and professional in appearance. Teach ESL/EFL/ESP from basic elementary to advanced English to include: preparation for graduate level college courses; preparation for U.S. war colleges; over 24 specialty areas such as aviation, medical, explosive ordnance disposal; and both basic instructor development (train-the-trainer) and advanced instructor development and management of ESL courses.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule, Professional and Scientific Positions. In order to qualify for this ESL/EFL Instructor, GS-1701-11, you must meet one of the BASIC Educational Requirement options *AND* meet one of the ADDITIONAL Qualification Requirement options. BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: DEGREE: successful completion of a four-year degree that included or was supplemented by a major field in education or 24 semester hours (or equivalent) of specific course work in English as a Second Language (ESL), English as a Foreign Language (EFL), Linguistics, Foreign Languages, or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or in a subject matter appropriate to the position. NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF YOUR TRANSCRIPT TO VERIFY YOUR EDUCATION. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR TRANSCRIPT WILL RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level (or other equivalent pay systems) in federal service which equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience is experience which includes training teachers to be English as a Second/Foreign language (ESL/EFL) and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) instructors; planning and conducting classroom instruction of ESL/EFL/ESP to students in age range from 18 to 60; adapting and developing instructional materials and making professional recommendations for improvement of curriculum design, training materials, instructional delivery, student administration, and training program management. OR EDUCATION: Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work of this position. NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF YOUR TRANSCRIPT TO VERIFY YOUR EDUCATION. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR TRANSCRIPT WILL RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position if the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100 percent. To combine education and experience, determine the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level. Then determine the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF YOUR TRANSCRIPT TO VERIFY YOUR EDUCATION. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR TRANSCRIPT WILL RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING. To view qualifying educational requirements and/or combination of education and experience, click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1700/general-education-and-training-series-1701/ 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: 1. Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of English Second Language, English Foreign Language and English Specific Purposes ESL/EFL/ESP instruction and knowledge of the English language and American culture. 2. Knowledge of instructional design and materials development. 3. Knowledge of student assessment techniques and objectives to include test and measurement principles. 4. Skill in constructively evaluating and critiquing instructor-students' practice teaching performance. 5. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. 6. Ability to work harmoniously with students and organizational personnel and ability to analyze, evaluate, and accomplish special training studies and projects. 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. Applicants MUST meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). For each employment entry on your resume, you must include months/years (as beginning and ending dates) and hours worked per week in order to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies". OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS PERTAINING TO THIS POSITION ARE: 1. The following are Highly Desired - Master's degree in one of the following disciplines: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) / Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) / Teaching English as a foreign Language (TEFL); English as a Second Language (ESL) / English as a Foreign Language (EFL); Applied Linguistics (or Linguistics); Highly Desired OR Undergraduate degree in ESL/EFL; English; foreign languages; AND one year of professional level experience teaching ESL/EFL to adults; Highly Desired; OR any undergraduate degree AND 24 semester (or equivalent) hours of undergraduate courses equivalent to a major in one of the above stated disciplines (TESOL, TESL, TEFL, ESL, EFL, linguistics) AND one year of professional level experience teaching ESL/EFL to adults is Highly Desired. 2. A native speaker or equivalent and be free of speech impediment is Highly Desired.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the 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.

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. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents. Online Application: Questionnaire 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. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply". 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. Veterans: If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran or Veteran's Preference - 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). This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD-Form 214. If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran, you must also submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces. NOTE: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15. Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: You must include a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist. ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active-duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active- duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD-Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active-duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD-Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following: Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member Branch of Armed Forces Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s) Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty Terminal leave start date (if applicable) Expected character of service/discharge and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement) Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander. Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form-214 must be submitted upon receipt.