Program Manager (Acquisition)

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Innovation and Strategy Directorate, Technology Acquisition Portfolio, located in Washington, D.C.

Qualifications:

Experience: You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Directing the development of an acquisition program or acquisition staff, requiring the ability to manage the triple constraints of cost, schedule and performance; short and long range planning for an acquisition program.
• Leading the prioritization of financial management principles to secure appropriate funds to prepare, justify and manage program budgets and to use in cost-benefit analyses in order to set priorities and track expenses in support of the mission.
• Delivered high-level briefings to agency executives and congressional staff, presenting conclusions and recommendations on the status of national projects and polices.
• Delivering high degree of tact, discretion, and diplomacy to effectively coordinate and facilitate actions and
  speak for the AC/senior leadership, including appropriate handling of tasks and politically sensitive activities.
• Serving as an Acquisition Program Management expert and spokesperson on an acquisition program, requiring the ability to manage the triple constraints of cost, schedule and performance, short and long range planning for an acquisition program; acquisition program budget and financial management.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must:

• Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
• Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 04/27/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Responsibilities:

This position will allow you to use your expertise in managing and overseeing various programs which have an agency-wide and government-wide impact. This position starts at a salary of $169,279.00 (GS-15, Step 1) to $197,200.00 (GS-15, Step 10). This position will allow you to use your expertise in managing and overseeing various programs which have an agency-wide and government-wide impact. Apply for this exciting opportunity to direct programs that strengthen the Department's ability to perform.

Typical duties include:

• Reviewing, approving, and documenting the plan for the acquisition program or office unit by establishing program goals, plans and evaluation metrics.
• Resolving broad, complex, and/or unprecedented planning, evaluation, control, and resource allocation issues, and provides authoritative advice to parties dealing with various management levels throughout CBP.
• Planning, organizing, and directing team efforts across organizational lines, and monitors progress to ensure that realistic objectives and milestones are established.
• Preparing and delivering briefings to senior audiences on various program issues to include CBP, DHS, and congressional inquiries.
• Analyzing and evaluating existing, new, and emerging functional requirements of the acquisition, operational standards, and measures of effectiveness; providing administrative and technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the program.

Salary : $169,279