Summary
The Assistant Director of Plans and Programs is responsible for the activities associated with phases of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process for the Office under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) and enterprise. Incumbent reports directly to the Director of Resources & Analysis providing reviews, analyses, and recommendations on programmatic, financial, and budgetary investment strategy, which has an annual budget exceeding $5 billion.
Duties
The incumbent serves as the lead action officer for the D, R&A in the development and defense of the annual Defense Planning Guidance and Program Objective Memorandum (POM). They provide actionable recommendations for the D, R&A during the Integrated Program/Budget Review, and aligning Component programs and budgets with the Research & Engineering (R&E) strategy. This role also involves annual updates on budget alignment with departmental and R&E priorities to advance technological capabilities in line with national security goals. Acting as a primary liaison officer for the OUSD(R&E) with the Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE), the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and other key external stakeholders.
The incumbent leads financial analyses and quantitative assessments and oversees the development of briefings on OUSD(R&E) financial programs throughout the Planning and Programming phase of PPBE. During the POM Planning phase, the incumbent leads the overall development of the guidance and process, including reviewing financial submissions to ensure their accuracy and completeness. In the CAPE Program and Budget Review Phase, the incumbent develops financial guidance, leads team participation and after-action reports, oversees the schedules of the Resource Management Group (RMG) and Deputy's Management Action Group (DMAG), and leads weekly synchronization reports for the program review team.
Incumbents typical work assignments may include the following:
Duties:
- Develops Department-wide Science and Technology (S&T) POM guidance for components
- Evaluates component-level POM submissions
- Leads a team of government and contractor staff to deliver mission objectives and requirements identified by the D, R&A.
- Serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative and/or Contracting Officer's Technical Representative.
- Performs the implementation of financial policies and procedures to ensure compliance with DoD and USG guidelines, directives, and standards.
- Supports financial reporting and periodic research initiatives.
- Supports the development and review of Financial Management Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and maintains in-depth knowledge of mission, goals, and objectives.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship is required
- This is a National Security Position has been designated as Top Security designation level such as Special Sensitive. Incumbent is required to obtain and maintain a Top security clearance.
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration) Total salary varies depending on location of position
- Individuals tentatively selected for drug testing designated positions will be required to submit to urinalysis for illegal drugs prior to appointment and are subjected to random drug testing.
- Required to participate in the direct deposit program
- The incumbent must adhere to DoD Standards of Conduct
- May require occasional travel (10%) away from your normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
- Financial Disclosure Form (OGE 450) upon appointment.
Qualifications
In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below.
Preferred degree in accounting or auditing, or a degree that includes auditing courses in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration, which must have included or been supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting. The 24 semester hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law.
Qualifying Experience:
To qualify at the NH-4 (GS-14/15), your resume must describe at least one year of experience, at the next lowest level (GS-13) that demonstrates the competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Experience refers to any paid or unpaid experience, including volunteer work and Military service, that would be considered equivalent to work normally performed at the next lower grade level in the federal service.
Specialized experience is defined as: Knowledge of the operations, products, services, needs, and goals of the program(s) and the organizations studied or served. Ability to research, analyze, interpret and apply rules, regulations, and procedures. Ability to meet and deal with customers using a high degree of tact and diplomacy. Ability to access or locate information through the use of a personal computer or terminal. Ability to stratify resources against approved programs.
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.
Candidates must describe how they meet the qualifying experience and/or selective placement factor(s) within the body of their resume.
All qualifications must be met at the closing date of this announcement.
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 length of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration.
Education
There is no substitution of education for the qualifying experience at the NH-04 (GS-14/15) grade level.
Additional Conditions of Employment:
Certification levels: (1) Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) (Continuing education required: 80 hours every 2 years); (2) Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) Continuing education required: 80 hours every 2 years; (3) Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Continuing education required: 120 hours every 3 years; (4) Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Continuing education required: 30 hours every year; (5) Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Continuing education required: 120 hours every 3 years. To satisfy the DFMCP certification requirement using one of the five professional certifications listed above, FM workforce members must be in a current active status.
In accordance with Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 1300.26, "Operation of the DoD Financial Management Certification Program (DFMCP)," this position requires a Level 3 Certification under the DoD Financial Management (FM) Certification Program. If he or she is not already assigned this certification at this level, the incumbent of this position must obtain this certification within two (2) years of entry on duty into this FM position. Once certified, the incumbent must meet the continuing education training requirement as outlined in DoDI 1300.26. FM workforce members may also present and maintain one of the following five professional certifications to meet any of the three DFMCP.
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.
Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the applicant questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.
This is an obligated position with to which an employee has statutory restoration rights based on active military service, compensable injury or disability when fully recovered, or return rights based on having served an overseas tour(s). When a position is obligated to an employee it means that he/she has an entitlement to that position. During the obligation period, the position may be filled on a temporary or permanent basis. When an obligated position is filled, the selected employee is required to sign an agreement acknowledging that (s)he is aware of the obligation and accepts the fact that (s)he may be displaced under reduction in force procedures at a later time.
You can preview the Questionnaire here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12758888
Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.
Required Documents
FOR THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT THE FOLLOWING SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED AS THEY APPLY STATED BELOW AND MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE CLOSE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT. NOT ALL DOCUMENTS WILL APPLY TO EVERYONE.
- SF-50 - (if applicable) Notification of Personnel Action for current or former federal employees- All applicants must provide your most recent SF50 or the SF50 reflecting Career/Career-Conditional tenure and the highest grade held on a permanent basis.
- Most recent SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade held. It is recommended you provide a SF-50 within the last 52 weeks before the closing date of this JOA for current federal employees. Effective 5/25/2022, WHS HRD will use the resume in conjunction with the provided SF-50 to confirm Current Federal Employee eligibility. We will complete confirmation of Current Federal Employee eligibility at the job offer phase if needed. It is still required that you submit at least one SF-50 with your application and confirm you are a current federal employee via your employment dates on your resume for current federal employee eligibility determinations. (WHS serviced employees SF-50s can be verified via eOPF).
- Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable): Candidates claiming Veterans Preference must submit a DD-214 (Member Copy 4), or, if you are CURRENTLY serving on active duty, a statement of service from your unit which states the date you entered on active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received. For those supplying the statement of service, preference will be verified by a DD-214 (Member Copy 4) upon separation from the military. Veterans with a service-connected disability must also submit a VA letter dated 1991 or later. DoD Components with CES positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates, as defined by Section 2108 of the Title 5 U.S.C. in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 3005, "CES Employment and Placement."
- Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be selected and placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level. You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
- Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
- Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
- Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
Your complete Application Package (containing the above required documents) must be received no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time on 07/25/2025.
WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/25/2025, 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, 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 complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
Read more about what should I include in my federal resume? at https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/
It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all information in their resume and documents are legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers/documents submitted by an applicant.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (
https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login) all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit:
https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
Failure to submit a complete application package will result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration.
Do not email or send hard copy resumes/applications to the Contact Information or Agency Information listed in this vacancy announcement. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.
It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all information in their resume and documents are legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers/documents submitted by an applicant.
All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact Washington Headquarters Services for assistance.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.
Stay informed of changes to your application status by signing up for automatic email alerts at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Applicant/Application/ListApplications?
Washington Headquarters Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Washington Headquarters Services uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify