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 provide developmental experience designed to broaden the skills and/or enhance the leadership perspective of an identified high potential, mid-level manager/executive; it is not a continuing position, and assignment duration is limited to 36 months. Responsibilities DUTY 1: In a career broadening capacity, develops, implements, and controls contractual, financial, and technical aspects of a project/program through designated phases of the acquisition cycle for which no closely related precedents exist. Plans the management and acquisition strategy for assigned projects/programs within cost, schedule, and performance baselines as directed by the Program Director. Assigned programs/projects are characterized by unusual factors and pressures that create a management situation resulting in a substantial element of uncertainty and risk as to the foreseeable outcome of acquisition efforts that are within the state-of-the-art. Vital aspects of the program require the development of new approaches to problems and the pursuit of alternative courses of action. Generates specific plans, goals, and objectives consistent with policies and requirements. Provides input into source selection and contractor monitoring of acquisition phases from development through production and deployment. Advises Program Director of significant actions or problems and recommends solutions. Complies with all security directives and policies. Analyzes interrelated issues of effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity; develops recommendations to solve problems; and applies program management principles to guide program accomplishment through the various phases of the acquisition cycle. Program complexities frequently require reprogramming and adjustment of schedules, funding, and the activities of program participants. DUTY 2: As a career broadener, plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates activities of functional specialists including contracting, engineering, manufacturing, program control, configuration/data management, test, and logistics. Continually studies, reviews, and evaluates program progress. Formalizes system requirements into appropriate specifications. Establishes management controls such as milestones, expenditure rates, management indicators, and management reviews to reflect program status and provide early detection of emerging problems. Reviews programming documents and/or accesses the impact of external actions to determine their effect on the development, production, and logistical support and to ensure that programs are within baseline and budgetary limitations. Organizes teamwork efforts and may lead a team of specialists in resolving technical, schedule, cost, and supportability issues. Provides feedback to customers and keeps abreast of changing environments and potential shifts in emphasis or other program changes. DUTY 3: Reviews and directs the progress of contractors in meeting program objectives. Takes appropriate actions to approve terms and conditions set forth in negotiations, contracting plans and budgets, subcontractor participation, and addition or discontinuance of work by the contractor. Coordinates frequent program changes and engineering compromises to assess the resulting changes in other areas of the program. Visits contractors' plant(s) to observe progress, discuss and resolve major problems, and otherwise ensure that contractor is meeting appropriate contractual provisions. Provides advice and assistance to contractors on requirements and policy matters. DUTY 4: Represents the organization at executive levels within the Government and to contractor/industry representatives. Participates in conferences and meetings to deliver presentations on project/program status, accomplishments, challenges encountered and anticipated, support requirements, and the integration and advocacy of program and project objectives. Negotiates and resolves controversial issues, advocates proposals and recommendations, and reports on progress in resolving critical issues. Consults with acquisition managers and executives to influence future policies and initiatives from a program management perspective. DUTY 5: Prepares, presents, defends, and interprets staff studies to the Program Director and/or other management officials. Conducts meetings and working groups to address problems, technical developments, program changes, etc., and to collectively prepare an approach to program changes. Briefs higher levels of management on program progress, problems, and other factors of interest or inquiry. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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, Administrative and Management Positions. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization and must have included: 1) Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, policies, legal requirements, and practices of systems acquisition and program management to plan, organize, and manage critical aspects of the development, production, and/or deployment of systems, subsystems, and equipment that are within state-of-the-art but require significant application of new principles; 2) Knowledge of the activities and purpose of functional support personnel and ability to coordinate such aspects of systems acquisition as engineering, contracting, program control, configuration, test, manufacturing, and integrated logistics support to effectively implement program management and direction; 3) Knowledge of the missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, and operation of the DoW, Air Force, and user commands that govern, interface with, and/or influence the systems acquisition process and integrated life-cycle management; 4) Skill to plan, organize, and direct teamwork, and to negotiate effectively with management to accept and implement recommendations, where the proposals involve substantial resources, require extensive modifications to program documents, established procedures, or may be in conflict with the desires of customer activities; and 5) Ability to gather and analyze a variety of program information, make sound judgments concerning program progress, and effectively communicate recommendations orally and in writing to higher organizational management and contractors. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Applicants must have served at least 52 weeks at the GS-12 or higher grade (or equivalent in an alternate pay system) within the Federal Civil Service to be considered for referral. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. 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 laws, principles, policies, and practices of systems acquisition and program management. Knowledge of business, industrial management, contracting procedures, technical concepts, and production practices to evaluate contractor proposals and activities. Knowledge of the missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, and operation of the Department of War, Air Force, and other entities that govern, interface with, and/or influence the systems acquisition process. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy. Ability to establish and maintain good relationships with individuals and groups within the office as well as outside the immediate work unit. Ability to plan, organize, lead, and manage critical aspects of research, development, production, and support of subsystems or equipment, and integrate, analyze, and manage a variety of acquisition functions and personnel in support of the process. Education Additional Information PCS restrictions: An employee selected to make a PCS to a Career Broadening assignment is restricted from making a second PCS for 12 months. Defense National Relocation Program may or may not be authorized. 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.
