Program Manager

U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Washington, DC or Ashburn, VA, seeks a senior program leader to oversee multiple development projects and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders. You will evaluate regulatory changes, oversee acquisition performance, and ensure staff plans meet compliance standards.

The position requires experience leading complex programs and engaging stakeholders to advance CBP priorities. Residency and background investigation are part of the process.

Qualifications

• Experience leading multiple development projects and identifying new concepts to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Evaluating impact of changes in DHS/CBP regulatory requirements on goals and objectives.
• Providing oversight of acquisition programs including cost, schedule, and performance management.
• Engaging internal and external stakeholders and representing the agency at events.
• Reviewing staff plans and products for completeness and compliance within established parameters.

Responsibilities

• Serve as program lead for multiple development projects and identify new concepts to improve effectiveness and efficiency of operations.
• Evaluate regulatory changes and their impact on program goals and CBP priorities.
• Oversee acquisition program scope, cost, schedule, and performance.
• Engage stakeholders and represent CBP at events to keep stakeholders informed.
• Review staff plans and products for completeness and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Program lead

Stakeholder engagement

Acquisition management

Regulatory compliance

Staff plan review

Job description

Organizational Location:

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade, Trade Transformation Office, Advanced Trade Analytics Platform Division located in Washington, DC or Ashburn, VA.

Additional selections may be made to include other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above. Experience: You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Serving as program lead for multiple development projects and identifying and recommending new concepts to improve effectiveness and efficiency of operations;
• Evaluating and considering the impact of changes in legislative requirements, DHS and/or CBP regulatory requirements, and CBP priorities on goals and objectives;
• Providing oversight of acquisition program to include the management of cost, schedule, and performance of the program;
• Engaging internal and external stakeholders, and representing the agency at events to keep stakeholders informed;
• Reviewing staff plans and products for completeness and compliance within established parameters.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must:

• Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
• Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 08/24/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers.

Residency:

There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Probationary Period:

All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles:

If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.