Director, Defense Media Activity Job in Fort Meade, MD

Vacancy No. SES-12761544-25-KH Department Office of the Secretary of Defense
Salary $184,363.00 to $225,700.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/11/2025 Close Date 7/25/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Fort Meade, MD


Summary

The mission of Defense Media Activity is to provide all Department of Defense (DoD) Components services for public-facing website hosting; system management of publicly released digital visual information (VI); public affairs and VI training and education; and DoD-unique audio-visual productions, such as digital motion and still imagery, radio, television, and web products.

Duties

The incumbent serves as the Director, Defense Media Activity (DMA), with responsibility for leading the organization, inspiring its workforce, and accomplishing its mission.

The incumbent's areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to the following major functions:

  • Provides the leadership, strategic direction, business planning and performance-based management required to develop and sustain the DMA as a world-class, efficient, agile and responsive provider of media products and services in support of the Department's communications requirements.
  • Ensures that DMA programs are consistent with the policy within DoD, the Executive Branch, and the Congress. Develops and oversees the implementation of DoD policies and procedures for the programs under DMA's authority, including the DoD Public Web Program, visual information (VI) Records Management Program, Public Affairs and VI Training and Education Program, and American Forces Network Program.
  • Establishes the DMA vision, plans, goals, and objectives; develops and implements innovative performance measures; and creates a culture favorable to the successful execution of the DMA mission. Aligns DMA plans and objectives to the corporate communications plans and objectives of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs and ensures consistent and timely responsiveness to the diverse, ever­changing corporate communications needs of the Department's leadership and DMA audience groups.
  • Directs all planning, programming, budget, execution, and financial management for an annual appropriated budget in excess of $200 million. Presents and defends the DMA budget and explains DMA programs and activities before Congressional Committees/Subcommittees.
  • Hosts and maintains operational security of DoD public-facing websites, ensuring a common architecture and achieving economies of scale to ensure DoD-wide compliance with applicable laws and DoD policies. Manages the publicly released content available on, and maintains the operations of, the principal official DoD website.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.
  • All newly appointed Career SES leaders must sign the Reassignment Rights Obligations Agreement as a condition of appointment into the SES.
  • You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test before you can be appointed into this position. Designated and/or Random Drug Testing required.
  • In order to qualify for this position, you must be able to obtain a Top Secret security clearance and access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).
  • Submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 07/25/2025
  • 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.
  • You will serve a one-year probationary period unless you have previously completed the probationary period in the SES.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration).

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), the Mandatory Technical Qualifications, and other qualifications, if applicable, listed below.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS: All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) describing accomplishments that would satisfy the ECQs. You must address each ECQ separately, not to exceed 10 pages. You are required to respond to all ECQs. If you fail to do so will result in a rating of 'ineligible.'

When responding to the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), you must clearly show that you possess the experience, knowledge, skills and ability to perform the duties of this position by submitting narrative responses in which you detail your experience in each of the ECQs. Your examples should be clear and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives and level of contacts. You should limit your narrative to two pages per ECQ, and address each ECQ separately. OPM's Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications can assist you in writing an effective SES application.

In particular, please note the Challenge-Context-Action-Result Model that is recommended and very helpful when drafting ECQ narrative responses. The Guide is available on OPM's Website at:
http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/guidetoSESQuals_2012.pdf

Applicants must utilize the Challenge-Context-Action-Result (CCAR) Model when writing Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ). Use two examples of relevant experience for each ECQ being sure your experience matches the ECQ criteria.

Challenge - Describe a specific problem or goal.
Context - Describe the individuals and groups you worked with, and/or the environment in which you worked, to address a particular challenge (e.g., clients, co-workers, members of Congress, shrinking budget, low morale).
Action - Discuss the specific actions you took to address a challenge.
Result - Give specific examples of measures/outcomes that had some impact on the organization. These accomplishments demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of your leadership skills.

Each accomplishment should be clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities; the scope and complexity of the programs, activities, or services you managed; program accomplishments; policy initiatives undertaken; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues you addressed; and the results of your actions. You should use action-oriented leadership words to describe your experience and accomplishments (e.g., Led the development and implementation of....) and quantify your experience wherever possible to demonstrate your accomplishments (e.g., number of employees supervised; size of budget managed; amount of money saved, etc.).

ECQ 1 - Leading Change: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

ECQ 2 - Leading People: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

ECQ 3 - Results Driven: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

ECQ 4 - Business Acumen: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

ECQ 5 - Building Coalitions: This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

Applicants that are either Career SES members, or graduates of the Office of Personnel Management Certified Development Program are not required to address the ECQs. See "Required Documents" for more information.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS: You must show how you possess the MTQs within your two-page resume. Failure to meet the two technical qualification requirements automatically disqualifies an applicant. 1. Experience at the executive level of government/private industry in developing and leading visual information and public web strategies designed to inform and educate diverse audiences utilizing the full range of information technology.

2. A sound understanding of the structure, function, missions, roles and responsibilities of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Military Services, Defense Agencies and Field Activities.

DoD Joint Enterprise-Wide Experience Statement: In addition, DoD requires an Enterprise Perspective. This individual must have the ability to apply a broad point of view and an awareness and understanding of individual or organizational responsibilities in relation to DoD or government-wide strategic priorities is required. Executives must demonstrate ability to work with internal and external partners to support national security objectives. This perspective is typically gained through a variety of diverse work experiences. A separate narrative statement is not required. This information should be embedded within the resume.

Additional information

Veterans preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service.

Applications MUST be submitted through USAJobs.

Submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 07/25/2025

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.

You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education. Your application will be evaluated by a rating and ranking panel. Highly qualified candidates may undergo an interview and a reference check. The Office of the Secretary of Defense Executive Resources Board will review results and make recommendations on final selections to the appointing authority. Unless you have already been certified by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB), your ECQs must be certified by the OPM QRB before your appointment can occur.


Required Documents

1. Resume - Your resume must address the mandatory technical 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. Mandatory ECQ Statement: A narrative statement specifically addressing each individual ECQ, not to exceed 10 pages. In lieu of the narrative statement, current and former career SES members must provide an SF-50 showing their status or reinstatement eligibility. Candidates who have successfully completed an Office of Personnel Management approved SES Candidate Development Program must submit a copy of their ECQ certification.

3. Copy of the Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50): Current and former career SES members mustprovide an SF-50 showing their status or reinstatement eligibility. Candidates who have successfully completed an Office of Personnel Management approved SES Candidate Development Program must submit a copy of their ECQ certification.


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

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 SUBMIT AN APPLICATION THROUGH USAJOBS: In order to expedite the review of your application, you must submit a complete online application package to include the Resume and the Executive Core Qualifications. To apply online, please select the 'Apply Online' button at the bottom of this announcement. Please note: your online resume may not be a complete application. Be sure to carefully read this announcement to see if additional information is required and how it should be submitted.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php? title=Alternate_Application_Information

Agency contact information

Senior Executive Services
Address
Office of the ATSD for Public Affairs
Human Resources Directorate
4800 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22350
US

Next steps

After all application packages have been received, we will review your application to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. The Executive Evaluation Panel will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications based on the information provided and will generate a certificate of best qualified candidates for the selecting official. The selecting official may interview the best qualified candidates before making a selection. You should expect to hear back on the outcome of your application within 90 days of the closing date of the announcement.






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