Management Operations Officer

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Budget and Program Analysis, seeks an advisor to the Director and Chief of Staff on internal resource and operational management.

You will provide authoritative guidance across financial management, budget formulation and execution, human capital and staffing support, procurement, space and facilities planning, and administrative policy development. You will lead strategic initiatives to strengthen OBPA’s budget integrity, policy alignment with USDA

Qualifications

• The job requires governing executive leadership and decision-making across multiple management domains.
• Strong analytical capabilities for budgeting, financial analysis, and policy development.

Responsibilities

• Leads development of the annual internal budget submission and provides expert advice on financial risks and resource gaps.
• Prepares analyses and projections, identifies shortfalls, and recommends corrective actions to maintain budget integrity.
• Establishes financial monitoring mechanisms and tools, guiding staff on proper use of funds.
• Provides strategic leadership for OBPA’s internal operational activities.
• Serves as the Director’s principal advisor on internal management matters, recommending process improvements.
• Oversees OBPA’s internal budget with responsibility for alignment with priorities.
• Assesses the administrative framework, workflow, controls, and resource utilization; develops recommendations.
• Oversees personnel and workforce support functions to maintain operational readiness.
• Identifies risks and leads resolution of cross-cutting issues affecting mission.
• Develops, updates, and interprets internal policies aligned with USDA directives and long-term objectives.

Job description

Summary

This position is located in the USDA Office of Budget and Program Analysis. Serves as an advisor to the Director and Chief of Staff on matters involving internal resource and operational management. Provides authoritative guidance and leadership across broad spectrum of management functions, including financial management, budget formulation and execution, human capital and staffing support, procurement and acquisition, space and facilities planning, and overall administrative policy development

Major Duties

• Leads the development of the annual internal budget submission, prepares justifications, and provides expert advice to the Director on financial risks, resource gaps, potential efficiencies, and impacts of proposed initiatives.
• Prepares detailed analyses and projections, identifies potential shortfalls or excesses, and recommends corrective actions to maintain the integrity and responsiveness of the Office's budget.
• Establishes and maintains financial monitoring mechanisms, develops financial decision-support tools, and provides authoritative guidance to staff on proper use of funds.
• Provides strategic leadership and authoritative oversight for the full range of internal operational activities supporting OBPA’s mission.
• Serves as the Director’s principal advisor on internal management matters, providing expert analysis, recommending process improvements, and identifying emerging operational needs.
• Manages and oversees OBPA’s internal budget with full responsibility for ensuring resources are planned, allocated, and executed in alignment with organizational priorities.
• Conducts comprehensive assessments of OBPA’s administrative framework evaluating workflow patterns, internal controls, information flows, and resource utilization and develops recommendations to strengthen organizational performance.
• Oversees the full range of personnel and workforce support functions required to maintain OBPA’s operational readiness.
• Identifies operational risks, develops mitigation strategies, and leads efforts to resolve complex or cross-cutting issues that may hinder OBPA’s ability to meet mission requirements.
• Develops, updates, and interprets internal policies, ensuring alignment with USDA directives, federal management regulations, and the Office’s long-term strategic objectives.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• If selected, you may be required to serve a probationary or trial period as applicable to appointment type. Refer to Next Steps section for additional information.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable.
• New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.

Evaluations

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. All applicants are required to complete the online USA Hire assessment administered by OPM in order to be considered for this vacancy. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Accountability Customer Service Decisiveness Flexibility Interpersonal Skills Problem Solving Resilience Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/1306294

Required Documents

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration. Resume that includes: Personal Information: name, address, contact information; Education; Work Experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); other qualifications. Resume cannot exceed 2 pages. USDA Federal employees: Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing you are/were in the competitive service, highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. A performance plan is not an acceptable substitute. Current permanent FSA County employees must submit your most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing your highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) per above. Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP or RPL priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), current performance appraisal with rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.

Other Information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period. If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case‑by‑case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.? Incentives may be authorized.