Data Center Acquisition Program Manager - Full Performance Level - National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

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 (GG12/ GG13) Acquisition Program Management Officers, 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.

This is a full-time position that is open from April 22nd, 2024 to May 6th, 2024. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59pm EST on May 6th, 2024.

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  

The National Reconnaissance Office's (NRO) Communications Systems Directorate (COMM) Hosting Services Group’s Data Center Management Division (DMD) is seeking an enthusiastic and driven Project Manager. This key role will lead the planning and delivery of modern, scalable data centers required to support the NRO’s defined mission requirements. As an Acquisition Project Manager, the successful candidate will perform in a highly visible role working with leaders across the NRO and IC. These data center capabilities serve as a cornerstone supporting transformation and modernization activities supporting the entire NRO organization.

Within the NRO COMM Directorate, the Datacenter Management Division (DMD) oversees and directs data center acquisitions, operations and maintenance requirements throughout the NRO enterprise. Specific DMD responsibilities include: formulation and implementation data center standards; data center operations and customer support; access control; configuration management and monitoring of data center assets; capacity management for all NRO-owned data centers; strategic planning and implementation plan for data center modernization. DMD also serves as the interface to external entities and facility organizations on data center related topics.  All aspects of DMD operations require close coordination with stakeholders within and external to the NRO.   

Within DMD, the Acquisition Project Managers lead the planning and delivery of critical capabilities tied to the overall strategic data center modernization plan and in line with Director of National Intelligence guidance.  Due to the scope and complexity of the DMD programs, the successful candidate will routinely brief seniors, work with external organizations to coordinate datacenter initiatives. Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Influence and lead acquisitions, to ensure both requirements and designs address operational needs via requirements reviews, increment planning sessions, design reviews, increment demonstrations, etc.  Lead activities with functional specialists and a matrixed staff of government and contractor personnel.
• Manage cost, schedule, and performance of complex contracts to develop, deliver, and sustain overhead reconnaissance systems.
• Collaborate with operational stakeholders both internal and external to the NRO, to include acquisition offices and mission partners in support of mission operations.
• Manage technical issues and risks to minimize impacts to ensure mission success while minimizing operational impacts.
• Investigate and make recommendations to improve mission operations, in areas, such as efficiency, availability, resiliency, and operability.  Ensure completion of milestone readiness criteria and coordination with decision authorities.
• Opportunity to identify and work on innovative technology solutions and approaches with real time impact to the existing Ground Segments.
• Provides input in source selection and assess contractor performance during all acquisition phases, including operations.
• Plans, organizes, and coordinates activities with functional specialist, including contracting, engineering, manufacturing, program control, configuration/data management, test, logistics and operations support. Continually studies, reviews and evaluates program progress. Ensures activities align with NRO and IC strategic goals.
• Works closely and substantially with program Contacting Officer's Technical Representatives (COTRs) and prime contractors to provide leadership and ensure program objectives are achieved within stringent cost, schedule, and technical performance requirements.
• Provides authoritative recommendations, briefings, and other formal and informal feedback and status to management on all aspects of program status, contractor technical performance and for all significant decision points.
• Leads in the development of Memorandums of Understanding and Agreements as required for project planning, execution and long-term Operations and Maintenance.
• Conducts CONUS and OCONUS travel to plan and oversee critical project milestones

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.

What You Need 
 

• Employee must meet, or be capable of meeting, the Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the position.  The incumbent in this position will be required to obtain and maintain a DAWIA Level II or III certification in primary specialty within 24 months of assignment to position dependent on the grade hired at.  DAWIA requirements may be located at the Defense Acquisition University website.  Employee is expected to meet Continuing Education requirements to maintain DAWIA certification.
• If appointed as a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR), employee must attend the NRO Acquisition COTR training in NI 40-1-1.  If appointed as a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR), employee must attend the NRO Acquisition COTR training in NI 40-1-1.

Desired Qualifications
 

• The Acquisition Program Manager Position prefers a Bachelor’s degree in a related area (Business, Management, Technical, etc.) or you may qualify based on experience.  Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. 
• Facility and/or Data Center construction-based project management experience
• Ability to understand and interpret engineering-discipline construction design documents
• Experience in delivering new capabilities and executing change management methodologies to gain consensus
• Progressive responsibility and experience in the full range of project management activities
• Demonstrated ability to organize, plan, and prioritize complex and competing projects and tasks
• Demonstrated ability to effectively understand and communicate to various customers/audiences across organizational boundaries
• Demonstrated utilization of skills (i.e., time management, networking, team building, creative thinking, conflict resolution) to achieve consensus, milestones and project goals
• Certification(s): PM, COTR, PMP. 

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.
• 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 are deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements.

Location

Chantilly, VA

Salary

This position meets 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. 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 https://dcips.defense.gov/Human-Resources/Compensation/

2024 STEM Salary ranges:

GG-11: $102,477 - $133,216

GG-12: $114,639 - $149,026

GG-13: $129,239 - $168,015

A PhD in a related area of study may qualify applicants for advanced starting grades and salaries.

**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 11-13 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.

Hiring Incentives

The NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at management’s discretion.

Trial Period

All new DCIPS employees will be required to serve a 2-year trial period.

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.

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants  

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 Hiring@nro.mil.

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.
Read more about the Privacy Act of 1974 


 

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