AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND CIVILIAN CONTRACTING VACANCIES: A STUDY OF LABOR MARKET AND VACANCY FACTORS
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Authors
Willson, Taylor N.
Subjects
Air Force
Air Force Materiel Command
civilians
contracting
1102 job series
GS
AcqDemo
vacancy
unemployment rates
turnover
retention
appraisal system
telework policy
warrants
Air Force Materiel Command
civilians
contracting
1102 job series
GS
AcqDemo
vacancy
unemployment rates
turnover
retention
appraisal system
telework policy
warrants
Advisors
Tick, Simona L.
Porchia, Jamie M.
Date of Issue
2025-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The Department of Defense's contracting career field is integral to every United States Air Force (USAF) mission. Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) is a major command within the USAF overseeing installation and mission support. Persistent vacancies in essential civilian contracting positions, specifically the 1102 series positions, challenge operational effectiveness and workforce planning. This research builds a comprehensive data set from AFMC Headquarters at Wright-Patterson AFB and documents vacancy rates among the 1102 contracting professionals in AFMC from 2012 to 2024. It then conducts a quantitative analysis to identify potential factors that can explain the variation in the 1102 series vacancy rates. Specifically, the analysis focuses on examining the extent to which unemployment, appraisal systems, warrants and telework policies are associated with the changes in vacancy rates. Results show positions requiring an unlimited warrant have lower vacancy rates, while those under the General Selection appraisal system show higher vacancy rates than the Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project appraisal system. Telework policy changes of November 2022 did not show any evidence of significantly affecting vacancy levels. Future research can explore hiring incentives and best practices from centers with lower vacancy rates, as these approaches may reveal effective strategies for attracting and retaining talent, reducing vacancies and enhancing workforce strength.
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Distribution Statement
Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.
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This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.