Program Manager (Us Forest Service Client)

Description

This position is contingent upon award from the US Forest Service. The Program Manager (PM) actively leads and manages all phases of the project lifecycle from initiation through closure, including project planning, contract management, project execution, and tracking and reporting. PMs are readily accessible to employees assigned to the project they are leading, accountable to providing them meaningful feedback relevant to their support on that project, and responsible for identifying and addressing project concerns before they become issues. PMs coordinate a team of staff to deliver results on time with high quality and within budget.

Project Background

Recent legislative provisions associated with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have allowed the United States Forest Service (USFS) to develop a strategy for Confronting the Wildfire Crisis across 21 Investment Landscapes. There is a need for program and project management to support the efforts ranging from on the ground activities, acquisitions, staffing, grant and agreement management and reporting. The Mission Area Senior Program Managers Office (MASPM) is supporting these efforts by providing guidance and expertise through increased staffing, training of existing staff and the continued work of the USDA Program and Project Community of Practice.

Duties

• Creation and establishment of processes in Office 365 using tools such as TEAMS planner to intake and prioritize tasks. As well as the creation of automated reports to suit the needs of the Regions and the Landscape programs.
• Facilitate one on one as well as group coaching sessions. Ensure skills are gained across the different program management elements and acquisition strategies. Coaching efforts may include the need to leverage existing content as well as develop new content to aid the landscapes and regions.
• Establishes standardized functioning integrated program teams and Program management plans and processes for Landscape and the regions that include the Investment Landscapes including formal reporting that includes the program management plan. Create consistent templates, presentations, reports, and other documents.
• Serve as "first line of defense" for project team members when they have questions regarding the project; provide technical direction and schedule guidance to team
• Working with Office 365 tools such Teams Planner, Power BI, Power Automate, Power Apps SharePoint, Forms and others as needed to create a comprehensive report based on the needs of stakeholders related to the Investment Landscapes.

• Manage to project budget and proactively address over or under burn
• Prepare status reports for clients and SCT management
• Manage preparation and submission of deliverables; ensure quality and timely deliverables
• Develop project plan and track status of activities, milestones, and deliverables; maintain project documentation; ensure project remains within the scope of the contract
• Work with SCT management to identify project staffing, raising awareness if new skills are required for the project; track resources to ensure project is staffed for success

• Review monthly invoices to client and vendor invoices for accuracy
• Review status, staffing, risks and successes and identify best practices or lessons learned relevant across projects
• Maintain past performance descriptions
• Develop accompanying invoice documentation such as timesheet data and activity reports
• Meet regularly with project team, SCT Managing Director, and clients to build and maintain trusting relationships; provide meeting planning and facilitation, including project team meetings, document reviews, and client-driven meetings

• May include occasional travel

Qualifications

• Master's degree and 6 years of experience; experience with government consulting preferred
• Candidate must have a strong background in project management. Must have demonstrated ability to provide guidance and direction to staff and possess expertise in the management and control of funds and resources, establishing requirements and procedures for responding to statements of work for BPA call, and preparing deliverables.
• Bachelor's degree and 8 years of experience; experience with government consulting preferred OR

• Other areas of expertise may include business process reengineering, statistical process control, individual and organizational assessment and evaluation, process modeling and simulation, strategic and business planning, performance measurement, organizational development, change management, and the development of leadership/management skills. Must also possess strong facilitation and cross-functional team facilitation skills.
• At least 3 years demonstrated project management experience; Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred
• Must lead and integrate elements of complex projects to achieve desired results by setting strategically aligned goals.
• Knowledgeable with Office 365 tools such Teams Planner, Power BI, Power Automate, Power Apps, SharePoint, Forms
• Experience in creating, applying and maintaining tools to track program, project, or task performance data, including cost, schedule, and performance data

• Possess strong communications, organizational, and inter-personal skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint

Location

Place is of performance is Washington D.C. May be allowed to perform work virtual.

Reports to

Senior Program Manager