ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE/PROFESSOR OF ACQUISITION Job in Fort McNair, DC

Vacancy No. NDU-25-12702488-EB Department National Defense University
Salary $76,023.00 to $181,600.00 Grade 2 to 4
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 2/27/2025 Close Date 3/13/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Fort McNair, DC


Summary

National Defense University (NDU) supports the joint warfighter by providing rigorous Joint Professional Military Education to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world.

This is a Title 10 Excepted Service Appointment. Appointment is not to exceed 3 years with the possibility for extension.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens.

Duties

The incumbent of this position serves as a faculty member at the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy (ES), National Defense University (NDU). The position entails multiple activities related to supporting the mission and academic programs of NDU and ES. These activities are aligned with the Teaching, Research, Engagement, Service, and Accountability (TRESA) performance evaluation model. Primary activities are described below.

  • Prepare and conduct graduate-level seminar instruction and lectures in the Senior Acquisition Course (SAC) concentration for selected students in the Defense Acquisition Corps. Through the SAC program the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) awards SAC graduates with ACQ-401 credential and successful completion of the program qualifies the students for senior-level acquisition position in the Department of Defense.
  • Prepares and conducts graduate-level seminar instruction and lectures in the Strategic Acquisition and Resourcing (SAR) core course. Apply instructional approaches that stimulate student engagement through facilitated seminar discussion and experiential learning; and assesses student learning using a variety of assessment methodologies. The SAR course introduces students to conceptual frameworks for analyzing the interactions of key stakeholders (Congress, the Executive Branch, and interest groups) who influence public policy and national priorities; analyzing the decision processes supporting defense resource allocations; and evaluating policies that govern the acquisition of technologies, goods, and services supporting the military element of national power.
  • Participates in the planning and development of the ES curriculum and serves as the principal proponent for overall outcomes, content, and methods for the SAR core course, SAC electives, and other portions of the ES curriculum. Recommends lecture topics, course content, educational methods, and other curriculum requirements. Plays a leadership role in the planning and development of curriculum material on defense resourcing, to include senior-level decision-making processes; integration of strategy and resourcing; analysis of defense resourcing options; and policy governing requirements definition, budgeting, and acquisitions. Based on needs of the Eisenhower School, conducts research in support of program outcomes and school mission.
  • Maintains and enhances professional relationships with existing ES stakeholders in support of the ES mission, such as: maintains and enhances professional relationships and standing, domestically or internationally, with senior educators, business leaders, industrialists or public officials; enlists stakeholder services in reinforcing the quality of instruction in the ES curriculum; stays abreast of new developments in the fields relevant to the ES curriculum; or, maintains/increases standing in professional organizations/associations in the field of national security strategy and resourcing.
  • Mentors, counsels, and advises graduate students in role of primary faculty advisor to several students, supporting advisees' orientation to the school, providing feedback on their initial writing assignment, serving as their liaison/advocate with school administration, and providing input on their year-end assessment. Serves as research adviser to individual students and student groups performing research on topics of academic interest relevant to national security decision making, acquisition, and other aspects of national security and resourcing strategy. In this role, assists students in consultations with highest level officials of the Department of Defense (DOD) and other government departments, senior executives of business firms, and leaders of the civilian academic community. Mentoring may include completing end-of-year student evaluations in accordance with DoD, NDU, and ES policy.
  • In addition to the SAC Concentration and SAR course, prepare and conduct graduate-level seminar instruction in ES multidisciplinary courses related to national security and resource strategy.
  • As an employee of NDU, demonstrates respect and consideration for others by: 1. Creating a climate that fosters respect among students, faculty, staff, and administration from a range of diverse backgrounds, ideas, and perspectives. 2. Adherence to EEO, Ethical, Merit System Principles, and DoD Standards of Conduct. 3. Demonstrating integrity, and responsibility in the workplace.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or be exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.ssa.gov/)
  • Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
  • The position is governed by 10 USC 1595 and NDUI 1416.0l dated March 2017.
  • Must be able and willing to travel both domestically and internationally. Travel is seldom required. Less than 20 % of the time.
  • The individual selected for this position is required to obtain and maintain a secret security determination to occupy a non-critical sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • A master's degree (doctorate or terminal degree preferred) relevant to acquisition, systems engineering, national security, public policy, public administration, political science, or other related discipline.
  • A substantial record of teaching excellence at an accredited higher education institution, research institution, and/or significant, relevant professional experience in acquisition, public policy and defense resource allocation decision processes.
  • Research experience, demonstrated through scholarship, publications, and/or outreach activities; recognition within academia, research communities, professional associations, or acquisition-related community(ies) of practice.
  • Experience working on collaborative interdisciplinary teams.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Experience teaching at the graduate level within the Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) system.
  • Experience as an academic administrator; senior acquisition manager (e.g., program executive officer, major program manager, or functional director); or as team leader of an interdisciplinary team.
  • Highest level certification in a Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) functional area (Advanced / Practitioner) or equivalent certification through acquisition-related professional organizations (such as Project Management Institute, International Council on Systems Engineering, Society of Logistics Engineers, and National Contract Management Association). Level III DAWIA certification in a designated career field if attained prior to 1 February 2022.
CRITERIA FOR DETERMING ACADEMIC RANK:

Assistant Professor requires an earned master's degree (doctoral degree or equivalent terminal degree preferred) in a discipline relevant to the position. Documented evidence of teaching in a post-secondary academic program, with some graduate-level teaching experience preferred; promise in scholarship and promise in outreach.

Associate Professor requires an earned doctoral degree or equivalent terminal degree in a discipline relevant to the position. Documented experience of at least five years of full-time teaching at a regionally accredited university or college, with at least two years of teaching at the graduate level, significant service/outreach to the university or college, and an exemplary record of scholarship/research.

Professor of Practice requires an earned master's degree in any accredited program and a documented record of at least 10 years of outstanding performance as a senior-level practitioner in an executive branch agency of the federal government, a professional staff member of an appropriate Congressional Committee related to defense strategy and resource allocation, or a senior-level executive in the private sector with an outstanding record of public service, professional achievements in areas relevant to acquisition and resourcing, specialized certifications and /or regional, national or international prominence.

Professor requires an earned doctoral degree or equivalent terminal degree in a discipline relevant to the position. Documented experience in full-time teaching at a regionally-accredited university or college for at least eight years, of which at least three years at the graduate-level, significant service/outreach to the university or college, and an exemplary record of scholarship/research.

Volunteer Experience: 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Education Requirement: Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or, international equivalent, (doctorate preferred) in a discipline directly related to to acquisition, systems engineering, national security, public policy, public administration, political science, or other related discipline. Successful applicants without a terminal degree must agree to enroll, and show progress, in a terminal degree program during the initial term of appointment.

Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if the position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified PRIOR to appointment, if selected for the role.
* An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence PRIOR to appointment.

    • Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation upon request. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
    • For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

NDU has a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement, social security, and thrift savings; health, life, and long term care insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. NDU employees enjoy flexible work schedules, transit subsidy, and the opportunity to telecommute.

Background or Security Investigation: This is a Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk position which requires a background investigation. The individual selected for this position is required to obtain and maintain a Secret security determination to occupy a Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk position within the agency as a condition of employment.

Initial Probationary Period: You will be required to serve an initial probationary period of 18 months.

Reemployed Annuitants: Department of Defense has the authority to hire annuitants without reduction in pay. For more information, go to: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/1400.25-V300.pdf

All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-4434 for assistance.

National Defense University (NDU) is the premier national security institution focused on advanced joint education, leader development and scholarship. Under the direction and leadership of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the oversight of the Director for Joint Force Development, Joint Staff (J-7), NDU offers a collegial and collaborative academic environment to support the joint warfighter by providing rigorous Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) and other graduate level programs to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world.

NDU is comprised of five primary educational institutions and four additional component agencies: National War College (NWC), Dwight Eisenhower School (ES), Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC), College of International Security Affairs (CISA), the College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC), Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS), International Student Management Office, Operations Support and the CAPSTONE General and Flag Officer Course.

NDU has a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement, social security, and thrift savings plan (TSP); health, life, and long-term care insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. NDU employees enjoy flexible work schedules, transit subsidy and situational telework opportunities.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

To qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described above. A NDU screening panel will review your resume and narrative answers to the hiring criteria to evaluate your qualifications for the position. NDU uses a multi-tier selection process for academic positions.

YouMUST upload a cover letter separate from your resume addressing the following hiring criteria:

  1. Describe your ability to design, develop, and teach graduate-level seminar-based courses in a discipline related to national security at a regionally accredited college or university. Include number of years of full-time teaching in higher education.
  2. Describe your research experience, scholarship, publications, and/or outreach activities; academic recognition, or professional experience in a field related to national security strategy or policy.
  3. Describe your experience of teaching excellence at an accredited higher education institution, research institution, and/or significant, relevant professional experience in acquisition, public policy and defense resource allocation decision processes.
  4. Describe your leadership experience in educational and research institutions to include curriculum development, organizational innovation, and institutional collaboration. Include successful leadership of interdisciplinary teams and managing programs within the organization.
  5. Describe your experience working with faculty and student teams in a culture that prizes collegiality and collaboration.

Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.ssc-cc@mail.mil

Required Documents

You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  1. Résumé: The latest resume submitted will be used to determine qualifications. All conferred degrees and certifications should be included in your resume for full consideration
  2. Complete Assessment Questionnaire
  3. Cover letter with narrative responses answering hiring criteria questions listed in the "How you will be evaluated" section of this announcement. Failure to submit will result in an ineligible rating.
  4. Other Supporting Documents - Refer to the eligibilities section for documents to submit.
NOTE: Transcripts are not required at time of application submission. Your resume and narrative answers to the hiring criteria will be reviewed by the NDU screening panel to evaluate your qualifications for the position. If selected for an interview, official transcripts will be requested at that time to verify educational requirements are met.

Eligibilities Information: The following supporting documents are REQUIRED to verify your individual eligibility status. Not all will apply for each applicant. They MUST be received by the closing date of the announcement.
  1. SF-50 - (If applicable) Notification of Personnel Action for current or former federal employees- with the exception of current permanent NDU employees, please provide your most recent SF50 or the SF50 reflecting Career/Career-Conditional tenure and the highest grade held on a permanent basis.
  2. If you claim Veteran's Preference:
    - You must submit a copy of your DD Form-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", showing the dates of active duty service, type of discharge and the character of service. Alternatively, If you are a current military member in active duty service and do not have a copy of your DD Form-214, you must submit a written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application for this position. The certification should also include your rank, dates of active duty service and what they condition of discharge is thought to be.
    - If claiming 10-point preference and/or are a 30% or more Disabled Veteran, you must submit both a DD Form-214 or expected discharge documentation as described above AND a copy of a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or your branch of service certifying the presence of service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of disability
    - If you are claiming eligibility based on 10-point derived veterans' preference (i.e. a spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran claiming veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it), you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (SF-15) "Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference" and any required documents indicated on the SF-15 to substantiate the claimed preference.
  3. Other documents identified in the announcement.
WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by the closing date of the announcement at 11:59 EST, or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information. The Details page will display the status of your application.

It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered or uploaded is received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents below.

Click 'Apply Online' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.
1. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents.
2. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application.
3. Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking Application Status, then More Information for this position. Return to an incomplete application by logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

HR Customer Care Center
Address
National Defense University
300 5th Avenue Bldg 62
Washington, DC 20319
US

Next steps

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. The questionnaire will assess your qualifications for the job. ALL eligible applicants will be referred to NDU which will convene a board to review all of the applicants. NDU will contact the applicants directly they would like to interview. We will notify you of the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

You will no longer need to call the HR Office to determine your application status. USAJOBS has added an alert setting to their system to drive status updates notification for applicants. You can elect to activate the proactive notification from your USAJOBS profile at any point during the application process to sign-up for automatic alerts when there are status changes for jobs to which you have applied.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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