Clarification from the agency

Open to current Federal employees in the Excepted and Competitive Service.

This position provides executive leadership and principal staff support in directing the operations, policy development, and strategic execution of the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of War for Intelligence and Security (ODUSW(I&S)).

Major duties and responsibilities will also include:

• Directs daily executive management and operational functions of the immediate office, ensuring seamless information flow, task synchronization, decision support, and efficient resource allocation to maximize senior leader decision space and mission effectiveness.
• Manages the DUSW(I&S)'s schedule, travel, preparations, and engagements with senior Department of War (DoW) officials, Intelligence Community (IC) senior leaders, White House staff, Congressional members, interagency partners, and foreign dignitaries.
• Leads or enables the development, coordination, and implementation of strategic initiatives, including organizational functional analyses, reorganization plans, governance structures, and oversight mechanisms for Defense Intelligence and Security Enterprise agencies.
• Oversees preparation and coordination of high-level deliverables, including correspondence, Congressional testimony, talking points, briefing materials, and strategy documents to enhance DoW capabilities.
• Influences and shapes execution of the DoW Military Intelligence Program budget and integration with the National Intelligence Program (NIP) budget with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
• Provides expert guidance on policy, programmatic, administrative, counterintelligence, security, and sensitive activities matters; ensures full coordination, communication, and implementation of senior decisions to support Presidentially authorized operations, combat plans, and supply chain/Defense Industrial Base protection.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration)
• You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test before you can be appointed.
• You must be able to obtain a Top Secret security clearance and access to Special Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).
• In accordance with the provisions of ICD 601, joint duty assignments will be a prerequisite for promotion to senior civilian rank. To qualify, please provide a copy of your completed Joint Duty assignment SF-50 or an adjudicated IC JD Claims form. More information regarding the Intelligence Community Civilian Joint Duty Program, can be found at:http://www.icjointduty.gov
• The individual selected will be required to file an 'Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
• Initial appointee to a DISES position must serve a two-year DISES trial period, which can be served concurrently with the two-year DCIPS trial period. Employees who have previously completed a trial period in the DCIPS position shall not serve another trial period upon acceptance of or reappointment to another DCIPS position. Current DCIPS employees who are in a DCIPS trial period and transfer to another DCIPS Component shall finish their trial period in the new DCIPS position.
• Submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on04/28/2026

NOTE: All Intelligence executive level positions require Joint Duty credit. Only those candidates who meet the Joint Duty Credit requirement will be eligible to compete/be considered for a senior executive position. Employees will receive joint duty credit for almost any rotational assignment to another Intelligence Community (IC) component and may also be eligible to receive credit for service outside the IC (military, other government, or private sector) as long as the assignment was at the Band 3 (GS 11 to GS 13) level or above and it occurred on or after September 11, 2001. An external candidate, if selected, will be required to immediately apply for Joint Duty Credit.

Employees without Joint Duty credit may apply for the position and can be considered. If selected a waiver would be required prior to final appointment. IC seniors without Joint Duty at the same tier level may lateral into the position if selected without requesting a waiver.

Qualifications

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Technical Qualifications (TQ) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ), related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Please see "Required Documents" section below for all resume formatting requirements.

Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

Do NOT submit a separate narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

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

TQ 1: Demonstrated mastery of planning budget formulation, programming, and execution processes specifically for Intelligence Community (IC) programs, defense agencies, or military services.

TQ 2: Ability to lead organizational transformation in high-stakes intelligence environments, including post-transition culture shifts, functional reorganizations, governance implementation over major IC agencies, and workforce modernization through innovative performance systems, AI/automation integration, and merit-based incentives.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs:

• ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a 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.
  • Sub-Competencies:
    • Knowledge of the American System of Government: Demonstrates understanding and appreciation of the American system of government, including the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, separation of powers, federalism, and the historical development of the American Nation.
    • Commitment to the Rule of Law: Upholds the principles of the American Founding, including equality under the law and democratic self-government. Ensures the law is applied fairly and consistently.
    • Civic-Mindedness: Stays up-to-date on important developments in American government and aligns organizational objectives and practices with presidential and public interests. Demonstrates a commitment to serve the American people.
• ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
  • Sub-Competencies:
    • Fiscal Responsibility: Strategically manages, allocates and monitors financial resources. Aligns priorities and initiatives to justify budget proposals. Monitors expenditures, cuts unnecessary costs, and uses cost-benefit analysis to set priorities.
    • Managing Resources: Manages resources efficiently and effectively based on current and projected organizational goals, skills, budget considerations, and staffing needs.
    • Leveraging Technology: Explores emerging technology and potential applications. Incorporates technology to enhance efficiency and achieve results. Ensures access to and security of technology systems.
• ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
  • Sub-Competencies:
    • Technical Skill: Possesses the requisite technical knowledge and subject matter expertise to consistently produce timely, high-quality work. Is considered a strong contributor in his or her domain.
    • Problem Solving: Engages in critical and data-driven thinking when diagnosing root causes and evaluating options. Identifies and promptly addresses the most pressing, high-priority problems.
    • Agility and Resilience: Anticipates and adapts to change, new ideas, new information, and new conditions. Is committed to continuous improvement. Deals effectively with pressure and remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity.
• ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the 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.
  • Sub-Competencies:
    • Accountability: Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, appraised, trained, and retained. Takes swift action to address performance- or conduct-based deficiencies in employees supervised. Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
    • Developing Others: Recognizes and rewards outstanding achievement in others. Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods. Cultivates a dynamic environment in which employees are not afraid to make mistakes.
    • Executive Judgement: Makes well-reasoned, timely, and effective decisions and considers short- and long-term implications. Communicates effectively with stakeholders across all organizational levels, sharing and guarding information where appropriate.
• ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
  • Sub-Competencies:
    • Operational Mindset: Effectively translates strategies into actionable steps and processes. Partners effectively with stakeholders to drive adoption and addresses blockers to ensure successful implementation.
    • Innovation: Applies creativity to improving products and processes, challenges convention, takes measured risks, and considers ways to simplify and remove unnecessary requirements.
    • Strategic Thinking: Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization by evaluating conditions, resources, capabilities, constraints, and organizational goals and values.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments and experience. Your application will be evaluated by a rating and ranking panel, and highly qualified candidates may undergo an interview and a reference check. The Office of the Secretary of Defense Executive Resource Board will review results and make recommendations on final selections to the appointing authority.

1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages showing all relevant experience. Your resume must address your technical and executive core qualifications for the position, and it may not exceed two (2) pages. Your 2-page (or less) resume must be in PDF format, with no smaller than a 1" margin and no smaller than a 10-point font. If you submit a resume that exceeds the two-page limit and/or does not meet the margin or font limitations stated herein, you will immediately be deemed ineligible for this position and will receive no further consideration.

2. Copy of Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50): Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee.

3. Joint Duty Assignment documentation: To qualify, please provide a copy of your completed Joint Duty assignment SF-50 or an adjudicated IC JD claim form. For more information regarding the Intelligence Community Joint Duty Program, please refer to http://www.icjointduty.gov.

DO NOT SUBMIT ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Extraneous materials such as award certificates will not be considered.

Next steps