Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary Acquisition Integration

The Deputy Assistant Secretary (Acquisition Integration) serves as a senior leader in one of the Department of the Air Force's most critical acquisition organizations. This executive position provides strategic direction and direct technical supervision to the Office of the DAS (Acquisition Integration), overseeing a high-performing executive staff responsible for shaping the future of Air Force weapon systems acquisition and sustainment.

In this highly visible role, the incumbent represents the Assistant Secretary and DAS (Acquisition Integration) across the Air Force Corporate Structure on major resource allocation decisions. The position leads integration of weapon systems programs, ensures alignment of modernization efforts with force structure plans, and drives financial oversight of multi-billion-dollar investment accounts-including programming, reprogramming, and execution.

The Deputy Assistant Secretary also establishes and maintains enterprise-wide Air Force acquisition policies and processes, champions acquisition reform initiatives, and leads transformation efforts to improve efficiency and reduce the total cost of weapon system ownership. This includes directing reinvention teams, implementing Defense-wide reform goals, and serving as the Air Force's primary spokesperson on acquisition reform. The role demands close collaboration with OSD, Congress, other military services, foreign partners, and industry to deliver cutting-edge capabilities to the warfighter.

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for a seasoned acquisition professional who thrives at the intersection of strategy, policy, programming, and reform. The selected individual will play a pivotal role in ensuring the Air Force delivers lethal, affordable, and sustainable weapon systems on time and within budget.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship is required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Mobility is a condition of employment and appointment for SES members will be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligations Agreement
• Selected candidate must file a Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978
• Position has been designated Special-Sensitive and the selectee must have or be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance
• Drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use IAW Exec. Order 12564, dated 14 Sep 86. Position requires that the incumbent sign a Drug Testing letter and pass urinalysis testing prior to appointment.
• Position requires travel under conditions specified in the DoD Joint Travel Regulations. Incumbent is expected to travel on short notice to attend high-level meetings.
• Position may require incumbent to be available for other than normal duty hours to include weekends to support exercises and crisis planning.
• An initial SES career appointment becomes final only after the individual successfully completes a 1-year probationary period.
• Attendance to the Air Force's Senior Leader Orientation Course (SLOC) is generally required within 12 months of appointment, subject to course availability.
• Position may be subject to the post-government employment restrictions of Sections 207(a) and (f) of Title 18, United States Code.
• Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants.

Qualifications

Eligibility will be based upon a clear showing the applicant has training, education, and experience of the scope and quality sufficient to effectively carry-out the duties of the position. Candidates must exemplify the corporate perspective, leadership vision, broad experience and character needed in the SES corps not only to satisfy the immediate vacancy, but future vacancies which will occur in a variety of organizations, functions and locations. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

In accordance with new OPM requirements to streamline Senior Executive Service (SES) hiring, applicants are no longer required to submit lengthy narrative essays, including those for Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or Mandatory Technical Qualifications (TQs), when applying. Instead, the initial application will be resume-only, capped at two pages. This change streamlines the application process and more closely aligns with private industry practices. Applicants identified for potential selection will have their ECQs assessed by undergoing a structured interview with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB).

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume (not to exceed 2 pages). Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

Certification Requirements: This is a Critical Acquisition Position (CAP). Unless specifically waived by the appropriate component official (i.e., the Director of Acquisition Career Management for the Component, the Service Acquisition Executive, or the Service Secretary), the following are statutorily mandated requirements (Reference 10 U.S.C. 1731 and 1737):

1. Eight (8) or more years relevant program experience, with at least 2 of these years with cost, schedule, and performance responsibilities in a program management office or similar organization.

2. Selectee must execute, as a condition of employment, a written agreement to remain in federal service in this position for at least three years. In signing such agreement, the employee does not forfeit any employment rights, nor does such agreement alter any other
terms or conditions of employment.

3. Selectee must meet Advanced level certification requirements in Program Management or must be able to meet Advanced certification within 48 months of assignment

4. Selectee must meet 80 hours of continuous learning requirements within the designated timeframe (80 hours of continuing learning (CL) every 2 years (with a goal of engaging in 40 hours annually)).

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that satisfy the technical qualifications.

TQ1. Executive-level expertise in the Department of Defense (DoD) Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process. This includes demonstrated experience analyzing large-scale investment accounts, overseeing financial execution metrics for complex weapon systems modernization programs, and orchestrating strategic resource allocation or investment reprogramming actions within a corporate headquarters or major command structure.

TQ2. Proven capability to design, interpret, and implement enterprise-wide acquisition and sustainment policies, standards, and evaluation methods. Candidates must demonstrate a track record of leading business process transformation, acquisition reform, or continuous improvement initiatives (such as reducing total cost of ownership or optimizing business system architectures) in compliance with Department of Defense and federal regulations.

TQ3. Exceptional ability to represent a major department or executive agency with full authority in high-stakes environments. This includes leading collaborative efforts, defending program/policy decisions, and negotiating complex issues with senior leadership, General Officers, Congress, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), defense contractors, international partners, and academic institutions.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): All new appointees to the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the five mandatory ECQs:

ECQ 1. Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding:Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ 2. Driving Efficiency:Demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ 3. Merit and Competence:Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

ECQ 4. Leading People:Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

ECQ 5. Achieving Results:Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiorsPlease note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program, or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you must attach proof (e.g., SF-50 or Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.C.

JOINT DUTY ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENT: Joint IC Duty certification is a prerequisite for appointment to senior executive, senior professional, and DCIPS positions classified above GG grade 15.

NOTE: Applicants without Joint Duty Credit are still highly encouraged to apply for the position and this requirement can be waived. Candidates for this position will be reviewed for receipt of joint duty credit. You must provide evidence of having obtained joint duty credit by submitting a previously approved Joint Duty Claim Form(s) or by requesting approval of a joint duty claim by submitting the Joint Duty Claim Form with supporting documentation. Your claim will be reviewed, approved/disapproved and returned to you. Information, to include forms and instructions on joint duty can be found on the JDA website by clicking the link below. JDA Website and from: https://www.dni.gov/index.php/careers/joint-duty.

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 conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) listed above. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Applicants will be evaluated against the qualifications requirements by a screening panel composed of senior executives and/or general officers selected for organizational and/or functional backgrounds relevant to this position. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. Final selection is contingent on approval by the Under Secretary of the Air Force.

Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the selected candidate must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB) prior to appointment. The selected candidate's application will be forwarded to OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Once QRB certified, the selected candidates will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.

A complete application includes the items specified below. If you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible.

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS: Some documents may not apply to all applicants. Please carefully review for applicability. Do not combine documents. Upload documents in pdf format.

1. Resume (Required): PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER. Your resume must be 2 pages in length (or less), type written, and formatted using 1/2-inch margins, no smaller than 10-font, and uploaded as a pdf. Do not include borders, photos, or your social security number.

2. Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50 (As applicable):

• Current/Former SES Members: Must provide SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
• Current Federal Civil Service Employees: Must provide a copy of SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting status as a current Federal Civil Service employee

3. Statement of Service/DD-214 (As applicable): Active Duty/Retired Service Members must submit a DD-214 or statement of service printed on command letterhead and signed by the command. The statement of service must provide the branch of service, rate/rank, all dates of service, the expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.).

4. SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP) Verification (As applicable): Graduates must provide verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.

5. Performance Appraisal (Optional): Applicants are encouraged to provide their most recent performance appraisal or equivalent performance evaluation document.

6. College transcript(s) (As applicable): Applicants must provide transcript(s) which demonstrate the acceptable combinations of education and experience as noted by OPM (if applicable). A copy is acceptable.

7. License(s) or certification(s) (As applicable): Applicants must provide copies of any licenses, certifications, or professional credentials required by the position (e.g. Bar membership, medical license, CPA certification, DAWIA certification, etc.) with their application.

* Applicants are responsible for providing documentation that supports the eligibility and qualification claims made in their resume and/or assessment questionnaire. Applicants must submit the applicable documents listed here and those listed with the eligibilities selected in the announcement questionnaire with the application package. Applicants who do not provide supporting documentation that fully support their claims will not be referred to the hiring manager.

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