Supervisory Program Manager

U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, part of the Department of Homeland Security, seeks a GS-15 level professional in Indianapolis or Washington DC.

The role focuses on analyzing program performance, conducting evaluations, and advising leadership on priorities and resource plans. The position requires prior specialized experience and a comprehensive understanding of program management within a federal context.

Qualifications

• Analyzing complex program, operational, or resource issues and developing recommendations to improve planning, resource use, or program performance.
• Conducting or leading program evaluations, studies, or improvement initiatives using data analysis, research, modeling, or other evaluation methods to identify gaps, trends, risks, or solutions.
• Providing recommendations or guidance to managers or senior leaders on program plans, priorities, policies, or resource strategies that support mission objectives.
• Coordinating cross-functional projects or teams, including establishing goals and milestones, assigning or tracking work, monitoring progress, and ensuring deliverables were completed accurately and on schedule.

Responsibilities

• Analyze complex program and resource issues to propose improvements.
• Lead program evaluations or studies using data analysis and modeling.
• Offer guidance to managers on plans, priorities, and resource strategies.
• Coordinate cross-functional projects with clear milestones and deliverables.

Job description

Organizational Location:

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Finance, Programming and Investment Analysis Directorate, location is negotiable upon selection in either Washington DC or Indianapolis, IN.

Additional selections may be made for 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:

• • Analyzing complex program, operational, or resource issues and developing recommendations to improve planning, resource use, or program performance.
  • Conducting or leading program evaluations, studies, or improvement initiatives using data analysis, research, modeling, or other evaluation methods to identify gaps, trends, risks, or solutions.
  • Providing recommendations or guidance to managers or senior leaders on program plans, priorities, policies, or resource strategies that support mission objectives.
  • Coordinating cross-functional projects or teams, including establishing goals and milestones, assigning or tracking work, monitoring progress, and ensuring deliverables were completed accurately and on schedule.

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 09/03/2026.

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) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles:

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