Chief, Operations Division - Senior/Expert Level

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

Basic Eligibility for a Position With the NRO

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

Where You Will Work

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current opportunities for Acquisition Program Managers (occupational series 1101) in the Geospatial Intelligence Systems Acquisition Directorate (GEOINT). GEOINT is the single National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) entity that acquires, provides launch integration, initialization, and maintenance of the national imagery space systems to bring valuable information to the warfighters, analysts, and policy makers. We have an exciting mission, focused on delivering the NRO’s top priority programs through innovative acquisition strategies and technology demonstrations. Within GEOINT, we maintain a strong MISSION FOCUS while ensuring our people have the support, training, and resources they need to be successful.

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for Senior/Expert Level (GG-14/GG-15), Technical, and occupational series 1101. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click

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 from July 25th, 2023 to August 1st, 2023. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59pm EST on August 1st, 2023.

Who May Apply

• 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.
• The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.
• This position is open to the public.
• Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.

What You Will Be Doing

The Chief, Operations Division is a key member of the leadership and management team and leads a dynamic team of government and contractor personnel in all aspects of launch acquisition, mission rehearsal preparation and execution, launch documentation reviews, launch execution, operations of demonstration programs, and operations planning for future missions. The incumbent is responsible for working with the prime contractor, mission partners and operational organizations to ensure personnel, products, hardware, and software interfaces are in place and ready for launch operations, operation of demonstration programs, and support of operational systems. Additionally responsible for managing cost, schedule, and performance across all aspects of launch and operations support, and works across branch, division, and office boundaries for all launches and operations.

• Solves systematic management problems of major significance through staff coordination and meetings with the NRO leadership. Participates in internal and external meetings and conferences and for complex and critical fiscal and programming negotiations.
• Monitors contract progress and expenditures against plans, provides necessary statistical data to management and provides strong oversight, guidance, direction, and leadership for teams of acquisition professionals to include military, civil service, SETA and FFRDC contractors developing and implementing NRO project/program requirements.
• Serves as senior program representative at high-level conferences and meetings with representatives from the DoD, other Intelligence Community partners, military services and agencies, and private industry.

What You Need

Mastery of management and executive knowledge and ability to the extent that the experience demonstrates specialization in areas such as launch operations, program management, manpower management, resource management and/or financial management, civilian and/or military human resources management, and intelligence operations.

Desired Qualifications And Experience

• Advanced degree from an accredited university in business management, economics, engineering, science, or other related disciplines. Extensive knowledge and background in NRO acquisitions and of IC and DoD acquisition policy and management.
• Expert knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methodologies of electronics, aerospace, structural, and materials engineering disciplines in addition to extensive knowledge of mathematics, physics, operations research, and computer sciences to perform assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Experience working in multiple directorates or with IC agencies.
• Knowledge of the NRO mission, strategic priorities, and corporate values
• Knowledge of DoD and Intelligence Community (IC) organizations, missions, relevant policies, and processes

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

• Financial Disclosure: MAY be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
• Travel Statement: MAY be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
• Geographic Mobility Agreement: MAY be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness, and/or career development.
• This is a Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA) position: Employees Grades 15 designated in Critical Acquisition Positions, must meet appropriate certification requirements IAW the DAWIA within the designated grace period (Advanced-4 years) after accepting the position. As a Critical Acquisition Position (CAP), unless specifically waived by the appropriate Component Official (i.e., the Director of Acquisition Career Management for the Component, the Service Acquisition Executive, or the Service Secretary) or if the employee is "grandfathered" under 10 U.S.C. 1736 (c) (1), the following are statutorily mandated requirements (Reference 10 U.S.C. 1733 and 1737). 1.) Employee must have 4 years of acquisition experience. 2.) Employee must execute, as a condition of employment, a written tenure agreement to maintain in Federal Service in this position for at least three years. In signing such an agreement, the employee does not forfeit any employment rights, nor does such an agreement alter any other terms or conditions of employment.
• Emergency Essential: Certain positions MAY be deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements.
• Overtime Statement: MAY be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.

Location

Chantilly, VA

Salary

2023 salary range for the Washington, DC area:

GG-14: $132,368 - $172,075

GG-15: $155,700 - $183,500

This position may meet the qualifications for Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Targeted Local Market Supplement (TLMS) STEM pay for NRO Cadre employees and candidates as authorized by the office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security's (OUSD(I&S)). Cadre employees and candidates are eligible to receive STEM pay if they are currently serving in a STEM designated position and meet degree requirements. Should a Cadre employee or candidate earning STEM pay change positions within the organization, they must be assigned to another STEM qualifying position in order to continue to remain eligible for STEM pay. Otherwise, Cadre employees and Candidates Generally would be transitioned to the DCIPS GG Pay Scale.

2023 STEM Salary ranges:

GG-14: $137,873 - $183,500

GG-15: $155,700 - $183,500

• 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 the GG-14 or GG-15 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

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.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:

• An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

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

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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