Acquisition Program Manager - Full Performance 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 nro.gov.

Basic Eligibility For A Position With The NRO

U.S. Citizenship is required

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

Are you a negotiator? Do you enjoy managing or overseeing complex legal agreements or contracts? Are you a finance, accounting, business or economics professional looking for an exciting challenge? Does managing and overseeing multi-million dollar acquisition and procurement contracts for reconnaissance satellite systems to ensure the safety and security of the United States interest you? Does a career with an “out of this world” mission sound intriguing?

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for full performance level Acquisition Program Management Officers (GG 12-13), occupational series 1101. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here.

This is a full time position. Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.

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 IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.

The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.

This position does not qualify for the appointment of a Reemployed Federal Annuitant IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300.

What You Will Be Doing

Manage cost, schedule, and performance of complex contracts to develop, deliver, and sustain overhead reconnaissance systems, including spacecraft hardware, ground and communication components, and mission software applications.

Provide authoritative recommendations, briefings, and other formal and informal feedback and status to management on all aspects.

Plan, organize, and coordinate activities with functional specialists, including contracting, engineering, manufacturing program control, configuration/data management, test, and logistics operations support.

Provide input in source selection and assessing contractor performance during all acquisition phases, including operations.

Work closely and substantially with program Contracting Officer’s Technical Representatives (COTRs) and prime contractors to provide leadership and ensure program objectives are achieved within stringent costs, schedule, and technical performance requirements.

Develop, execute, and monitor risk management strategies to address areas of concerns or potential gaps.

Applies systems engineering principles, techniques, services, and practices at the appropriate level of the architecture to ensure a disciplined approach to meeting intelligence needs with NRO systems.

What You Need

Highly desirable: Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree in a related occupation (business, finance, management, engineering, science, etc.)

Experience with the federal acquisition life cycle developing contract requirements, such as Statements of Work (SOW), Market Research, Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCE), as well as evaluation and performance criteria, and services acquisitions. The documentation encompasses functions to be performed, outcomes or levels of performance to be achieved, and essential performance characteristics for requirements to be delivered.

Experience serving on source selection panels and providing guidance on the acquisition method.

Other Information

Overtime Statement: May be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.

Travel Statement: May be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.

Financial Disclosure: May be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.

Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) coded positions: If selected for a DAWIA coded position, the incumbent must meet appropriate certification requirements IAW the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) no later than 24 months after accepting this position. Individual shall maintain, at a minimum 80 continuous Learning Points every 24 months via the services acquisition management system. DAWIA requirements may be located at the Defense Acquisition University website.

Geographic Mobility Agreement: May be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness, and/or career development.

Information Assurance (IA): Must achieve the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment.

Emergency Essential: Certain positions MAY be deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements.

Once an NRO Cadre employee, the employee must also complete the following trainings:

SIGINT Schoolhouse

GEOINT 101

COMM 101

National Systems Information Course

Location

Various NRO locations.

Salary

2023 Salary range for Washington DC Area:

GG 12: $94,199 – $122,459

GG-13 $112,015 - $145,617

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. For more information on STEM pay, visit

2023 STEM Salary ranges:

GG-12: $109,492 - $149,640

GG-13: $123,437 - $168,694

**This position is a full performance 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 12-13 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 DoDI 1400.25 Volume 2006.