Program Analyst (Maritime Portfolio Manager)

US Office of the Secretary of Defense; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

US Office of the Secretary of Defense seeks a qualified professional to provide senior-level acquisition oversight and lifecycle management for major defense programs. The role involves advising on policy, coordinating across services, and ensuring that strategic investments align with national defense objectives.

The incumbent will lead cross-functional teams, oversee milestone documentation, and mitigate programmatic risks while upholding statutory and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Directing and managing end-to-end acquisition oversight for defense portfolios and major programs.
• Evaluating strategies, program baselines, and milestone documentation with risk mitigation.
• Leading cross-functional teams across services, defense agencies, and oversight authorities.

Responsibilities

• Advise on acquisition policies and procedures for the department.
• Ensure integration and protection of technology enabling warfighter capability.
• Support senior leadership on acquisition matters and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Acquisition oversight

Lifecycle management

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic planning

Job description

The Assistant Secretary of War for Acquisition (ASW(A)) is responsible for advising the Secretary of War, Deputy Secretary of War, and the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment on matters relating to acquisition and the integration and protection of technology that enable capability for the warfighter. The ASW(A) is responsible for Department policies and procedures governing the Department's procurement and acquisition process.

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below.

You may qualify at the NH-IV band level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 in the Federal Service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) which has given me the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties related to the position being filled. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Directing and managing end-to-end acquisition oversight and life cycle management for a major defense portfolio, complex weapons systems, or critical technology programs in accordance with statutory and Departmental acquisition regulations;
• Evaluating and formulating comprehensive acquisition strategies, program baselines, and milestone documentation while identifying and mitigating systemic programmatic risks (including unrealistic cost/schedule estimates, technical risks, immature technologies, and industrial base constraints);
• Leading cross-functional teams and integrating strategic viewpoints across military service staffs, defense agency leadership, and oversight authorities to align capability investments with strategic defense objectives and legislative mandates.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

All qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume. Your resume may not exceed two (2) pages.

For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the duration of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration.

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS:

Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, as part of their application package, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, indicating the service member is otherwise eligible and will be discharged or released within 120 days from the date of submission.. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. This "certification" must include your rank, dates of active duty service, type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable), and date any terminal leave will begin. It must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible". Members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if they are on terminal leave.

Current or Former Political Appointees:

Agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.