National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

Program Manager - Senior/Expert Level

Continuous Announcement - Chantilly, VA - Full Time

WE ARE THE NRO

For sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America’s advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet.

Learn more at NRO.gov.

Basic Eligibility for a Position with the NRO
 
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen
  • You must be 18 years of age or older
  • You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
  • You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing
  • You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations

Where You Will Work 

The position involves oversight of the provision of one or more programs to include the coordinated application of general and specialized knowledge, skills, expertise, and practices necessary for the effective implementation of one or more programs and the accomplishment of the agency mission, goals, and objectives. Incumbent is a valued evaluator and advisor to management on the effectiveness and efficiency with which to carry out assigned programs and functions. To that end, the position provides managers with objectively based information for making decisions on the programmatic aspects of operations and programs. The work requires analysis of programs to resolve specific, complex or intricate issues and problems; developing new methods and criteria; or proposing new policies and practices. Independently leads and conducts complex research/analysis crossing multiple functional disciplines to assess and evaluate mission alternatives for inclusion in NRO strategic resourcing plans and studies and/or the resolution of operational issues. Participates in the development of research, analysis and recommendation for strategic activities. Develops and implements quantitative measurement methods to determine effectiveness of selected approaches and alternatives. Participates in analytical underpinning and problem resolution, recommendations, and strategies for resourcing major missions assigned for actions.

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for Senior/Expert Level (GG-14), occupational series 0340. For information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here.

Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.

This is a full-time position that is open until filled.

Who May Apply
 
  • This position is open to the public.
  • Federal government employees MUST currently be at the grade level or higher as indicated in this announcement. This is NOT a promotion opportunity for current Federal government employees. If selected for the position, Federal government employees will transition laterally at their current grade level and step.
  • Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.
  • The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.

What You Will Be Doing 
  • Oversees major project and program decisions that affect long-range courses of action of critical importance.
  • Serves as the authoritative source for decisions and guidance dealing with compromises and changes in project objectives. Provides leadership in establishing management processes and a work environment conducive to effective utilization of personnel and financial resources in the planning, engineering, and construction of life cycle projects.
  • Oversees, controls and directs coordination of project communication, both internal and external. Recognizes and evaluates important technical facts and considerations and synthesizes them into constructive action to accomplish D's and O's program objectives.
  • Assists in strategic planning and determination of present and future requirements relative to organizational workload requirements; re-engineered business processes and future mission requirements; changes to governing regulations; and problems having a variety of program management impacts on the readiness and sustaining capability of the organization.
  • Plans, programs, and oversees the planning, design, and construction of projects in coordination with D's and O's to ensure that projects are completed within guidelines and objectives. Reviews and evaluates the status of life cycle projects for attainment of overall project objectives.
  • Coordinates and obtains appropriate level of approval for project cost estimates and schedule changes. Facilitates the resolution of technical and project management conflicts within the Directorate.
  • Provides interface with involved parties to identify the problems and issues, seeks consensus on a proposed solution and orchestrates an agreement. Works toward an ultimate goal of quality projects, on time and within budget.
  • Manages daily programmatic functions, interfaces with mission partners across the IC and DoD, reaches out to operational users to ensure proper program support. Oversees work effort of assigned staff.
  • Provides extensive coordination and guidance to a wide range of government, military, and contractor personnel on methods, processes, practices, lessons learned and risk mitigation. Develops, maintains and manages updates to program documentation, performing evaluations as required. Develops and reviews Statements of Work and Requests for Proposals.
  • Participates in the resolution of complex resource allocations; performing in-depth, rigorous analysis of program, technical, and budget trade-offs and explores alternatives. Analyzes information requirements to develop program and administrative reporting systems to include systems specifications; data gathering and analytical techniques; and systems evaluation methodology.
  • Supports numerous long-and short-term, high priority unique special projects. Receives a wide variety of requirements typically requiring quick responses. Given special broad direction, analyzes requirements and determines best course of action.
  • Develops plans, programs, methods, procedures and techniques for collection, processing compilation, and presentation data. Analyzes data to determine trends, which impact upon projections. Collects, assembles, and reviews tabulations, charts, or graphs for analysis, presentations, and briefings.
  • Responsible for performing various technical and advisory functions relative to the personnel assigned to the particular project segment. Assigns tasks and provides overseeing work of project segment members; reviewing work for technical quality, furnishing advice, or instructions to individual employees on technical work matters
  • Directs program analysis teams comprised of a variety of disciplines (both business and technical) in reviewing progress against established programs
 
What You Need

• Mastery knowledge and .ability to develop detailed plans, tasks, milestone dates and schedules to ensure proper sequencing of events and tracking of processes and costs throughout the life cycle of the programs/projects.

• Knowledge of the principles and theories of strategic planning, program assessment, business management and processes aligned organization models.

• Mastery knowledge of, and skill in applying analytical ability to resolve unique or novel problems, conditions, or issues; or to significantly alter standard practices, equipment, devices, processes, and known techniques; provide expert advice to senior colleagues and/or agency officials responsible for broad program operations; provide significant and innovative recommendations for advancing programs and/or methods; and execute significant projects representing an important segment of the agency's operating programs, or affecting the welfare of the public and/or the sustainability of natural resources and the environment.

• Knowledge of the range of policies, regulations and applicable precedents affecting the use of program and related support resources including knowledge of Ds&Os mission and program goals and objectives, work processes, and administrative operations.

• Expert analyst who has mastered the techniques of program and project management principles and methods, including a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of program effectiveness.

• Expert partnership skills to be able to form strengthen and manage relationships and work effectively with both technical experts and senior government officials.
• Master ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with senior officials from a broad array of activities, including federal and local government agencies, Congressional staff, and private industry.

• Expert ability to develop, recommend, and implement best business practices.

• Excellent time management skills

• Working knowledge of NRO business practices and standards, regulations and instructions, pa1ticularly as they apply to finance, contracts and corporate processes.

• Skill in the planning, organizing and directing the work of government and contractor personnel; building and participating effectively in integrated, interdisciplinary teams.

• Master ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Desired Qualifications

- Demonstrated understanding of the future NRO mission.
- Sound understanding of intelligence satellite systems
- Experience supporting Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of Defense (DOD) Mission Partner activities.
- Extensive knowledge and background of NRO, IC and/or DoD policy and management.

Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform and is typically in or directly related to the duties of the position as described above. Experience must be reflected in your resume. 

Other Information
 
  • Overtime Statement:  MAY be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
  • Travel Statement:  The employee may be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
  • Financial Disclosure:  Incumbent is required to file an OGE Fonn 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
  • NRO Cadre COTR Training:  MAY be required to obtain NRO Cadre COTR Training  

Location

Chantilly, VA

Salary

2024 salary range for the Washington, DC area:

GG-14: $139,395 - $181,216

**This position is a Senior/Expert Level DCIPS position. The NRO is accepting applications from U.S. Citizens and current federal government employees for this position.  To qualify for the position, federal government employees MUST currently be at GG-14 grade level and may ONLY apply for a lateral reassignment at their current grade level and step. Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.

Hiring Incentives

The NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at management’s discretion.

Trial Period

All new DCIPS employees will be required to serve a 2-year trial period.

Veterans’ Preference

DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans’ Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Vol 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement.  If you are a veteran claiming veterans’ preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC, you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
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You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please send your request to [email protected].

Privacy Act Notice

Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
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