Product Manager / Senior Product Manager

Social Security Administration; Woodlawn (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Social Security Administration is hiring for IT Specialist and Project Manager positions in Woodlawn, Maryland. These roles are available under the Direct Hire Authority and require specialized IT experience at grades GS-14 and GS-15. Candidates must demonstrate strong problem-solving and leadership skills, along with effective communication abilities. The position is open to all U.S. citizens. Additional conditions may include a probationary period based on performance and conduct.

Qualifications

• Experience must be IT related; may include training or certifications.
• 52 weeks of specialized experience at GS-13 or 14 level is required.
• Leadership and motivation skills for product management teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage product management processes and drive initiatives.
• Prepare and deliver briefings and presentations to leadership.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and senior leadership.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Oral Communication

Problem Solving

Job description

Summary

IT Specialist, Project Manager and Senior Project Manager position(s) are being filled through the Office of Personnel Management's delegated Direct Hire Authority, open to all U.S. citizens. Selections made under this bulletin will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the civil service. Under the provisions of the Direct Hire Authority, Veterans Preference and the "Rule of Many" do not apply.

Duties

This announcement serves as public notice. Applications submitted will be placed into a pool and will remain on file for selection as positions become available. Vacancies may be filled for up to 6 months after the closing date of this announcement. Positions filled with applications from this pool will be placed into positions where artificial intelligence duties occupy the majority of the work performed.

Qualifications

Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered, please visit the new resume guidance for more information. READ ALL SECTIONS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY. THIS INFORMATION IS CRUCIAL TO SUBMITTING A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION. Applicants must qualify for the series and grade of the posted position. Experience must be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate. Your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, abilities, and proficiency of any required competencies to perform the specific position for which you are applying.

• Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
• Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; and is committed to providing quality products and services.
• Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information; makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

Minimum Qualifications: Grade 14 — To qualify at the GS‑14 level, you must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS‑13 level or above, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled, that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience should include:

• Experience in product management, including supporting Product Managers.
• Leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to mentor and guide product management teams, as well as prepare and deliver briefings, presentations, and reports tailored to executive audiences.
• Building and maintaining working relationships with senior leadership, understanding their priorities, addressing concerns, and incorporating feedback into product development processes.
• Verbal and written communication skills for interacting with stakeholders, team members, and senior leadership, including presenting information clearly.
• Ability to plan, organize, and manage multiple product resources.
• Familiarity with product management tools and methodologies.
• Experience in organizing product management meetings, training sessions, onsite events, and showcases.
• Problem‑solving and decision‑making capabilities, with the ability to build and drive consensus and alignment across teams.
• Understanding and the ability to drive the product development processes from ideation to launch and post‑launch evaluation.
• Supporting senior leadership in communicating the value and impact of product initiatives.
• Flexibility to adjust strategies and priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain professionalism in interactions with leadership.
• Ability to write user stories and acceptance criteria for product teams.

Minimum Qualifications: Grade 15 — To qualify at the GS‑15 level, you must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS‑14 level or above, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled, that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience should include:

• Proven experience in product management, including supporting senior leadership and Product Managers.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate, mentor, and guide product management teams, as well as proficiency in preparing and delivering clear, concise briefings, presentations, and reports tailored to senior leadership, effectively distilling complex product information into key points relevant to leadership decision‑making.
• Building and maintaining strong working relationships with senior leadership, understanding their priorities, addressing concerns, and incorporating feedback into product development processes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with stakeholders, team members, and senior leadership, including presenting complex information clearly and persuasively.
• Proficiency in planning, organizing, and managing multiple product resources simultaneously.
• Familiarity with product management tools and methodologies.
• Experience in organizing large‑scale product management meetings, training sessions, onsite events, and showcases.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making capabilities, with the ability to build consensus and drive alignment across teams.
• Understanding and the ability to drive the product development processes from ideation to launch, implementation, and post‑launch evaluation.
• Supporting senior leadership in driving organizational changes related to new products, services, or processes, including communicating the value and impact of product initiatives.
• Flexibility to adjust strategies and priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain a high level of professionalism in all interactions with leadership.
• Ability to write user stories and acceptance criteria for product teams.

PLEASE NOTE — This specialized experience is REQUIRED and must be explicitly documented/described in your resume, or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Qualification standards and additional information for this position can be found at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/2200/information-technology-it-management-series-2210-alternative-a/.

Additional Information

See announcement cutoff dates below under How to Apply. Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement. This Direct Hire announcement may be used to fill the same or similar position in another office.

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.