What are the responsibilities and job description for the PROJECT MANAGER (DAG LEAD) position at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA)?
Summary
DCSA is seeking a DAG Lead to serve as the principal advisor translating executive vision into concrete actions and ensuring enterprise-wide alignment. This role requires a proactive, independent leader who applies legal and regulatory principles to manage cross-agency initiatives, lead crisis response, develop agency-wide policy, and prepare senior leadership for high-level engagements. Apply to join a high-visibility team providing strategic support and legally sound analysis.
Duties
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As a PROJECT MANAGER (DAG LEAD) you will be responsible for the following duties:
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Conditions of employment
The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0300/miscellaneous-administration-and-program-series-0301/ for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 06/15/2026
Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. 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 the duties of the position.
You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade GS/GG-13 in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility.
Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience.
Specialized Experience For The GG-14 Position Includes
Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.
Additional information
VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL
In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria.
Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf
Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period.
For more information on the DCIPS occupational structure click here.
For more information about career advancement in DCIPS click here.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Help
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
DCSA is seeking a DAG Lead to serve as the principal advisor translating executive vision into concrete actions and ensuring enterprise-wide alignment. This role requires a proactive, independent leader who applies legal and regulatory principles to manage cross-agency initiatives, lead crisis response, develop agency-wide policy, and prepare senior leadership for high-level engagements. Apply to join a high-visibility team providing strategic support and legally sound analysis.
Duties
Help
As a PROJECT MANAGER (DAG LEAD) you will be responsible for the following duties:
- Serves as lead of the Director's Action Group (DAG), translating the Director's and Chief Operating Officer's (COO) strategic vision into concrete, time-sensitive actions, and ensuring the entire staff is aligned and delivering on key priorities.
- Drives the agency's mission by directly supporting the Director and COO, serving as a senior operational integrator and strategic advisor across the executive office.
- Represents DCSA in intra-agency and interagency forums on behalf of the Director and COO; serves as an authoritative voice for executive office positions and priorities.
- Understanding of advanced legal and regulatory analysis to inform operational and policy work; identifies legal and policy considerations for senior leadership decision-making in coordination with the Office of General Counsel (OGC).
- Leads crisis management and rapid coordination efforts on behalf of the executive office; serves as initial point of contact and triage for mission-impacting events, ensuring the Director and COO are immediately informed and supported with actionable options.
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Conditions of employment
- Must be a US citizen
- Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. For more information http://www.sss.gov
- Resume and supporting documents received by 11:59PM EST will be considered
- This is a Drug Testing designated position
- Position is a (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 1601
- Work Schedule: Full Time
- Overtime: Occasionally
- Tour of Duty: Flexible
- PCS (Permanent Change of Station): Not Authorized
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
- Financial Disclosure: Not Required
- Telework Eligibility: Supervisors may approve situational telework on a case-by-case, temporary basis for limited situations.
- If selected, the incumbent must obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as indicated in job announcement.
The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0300/miscellaneous-administration-and-program-series-0301/ for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 06/15/2026
Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. 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 the duties of the position.
You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade GS/GG-13 in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility.
Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience.
Specialized Experience For The GG-14 Position Includes
- Ability to interpret and articulate Executive Orders, federal statutes, and DoD directives as applied to agency operations and policy; skill in researching laws, codes, and regulatory authorities to inform policy development in coordination with OGC.
- Advanced knowledge related to crisis management, rapid coordination, and decision-making under pressure; ability to respond positively and lead effectively during rapidly evolving circumstances.
- Advanced knowledge related to organizing, conducting, and managing complex studies and analyses, interpreting data, summarizing results, and making authoritative recommendations to executive leadership.
- Advanced knowledge of management, executive, and organizational principles and practices including process improvement and conflict resolution.
- Ability to interface with personnel from all levels of DCSA leadership, including the Director and COO, as well as congressional staff, interagency partners, and senior industry representatives.
- Skills in oral and written communications to prepare, present, and explain complex information, recommendations, and findings to executive leadership and senior interagency audiences.
- Skill in leading multi-disciplinary and cross-functional teams, including complex agency-wide planning, analysis, management actions and transformation initiatives.
- Advisor and/or Consultant: Collaboration and synergy with a multiplicity of military, federal, state, and private sector entities; diverse complex missions and functions falling within the operational purview of responsibilities that require significant expertise to accomplish; address and resolve issues that cross organizational lines and that require extensive senior level coordination within and outside of the Agency.
- Organizational Awareness: Knows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization.
- Planning and Evaluating: Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.
- Stakeholder Management: Knowledge of the concepts, practices, and techniques used to identify, engage, influence, and monitor relationships with individuals and groups connected to a work effort; including those actively involved, those who exert influence over the process and its results, and those who have a vested interest in the outcome (positive or negative).
Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.
Additional information
VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL
In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria.
Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf
Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period.
For more information on the DCIPS occupational structure click here.
For more information about career advancement in DCIPS click here.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Help
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.