Executive Director Job in Fort Hood, TX

Vacancy No. DA-26-CMK-12901159 Department U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command
Salary $151,662.00 to $228,000.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 3/5/2026 Close Date 3/19/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Fort Hood, TX


Summary

This is a Tier 1 Position. Salary for Tier 1 positions in Army are normally between $199,172 and $209,600.

"This critical acquisition position requires Level PRACTITIONER certification in acquisition functional area TEST AND EVALUATION".

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Senior executives

Individuals looking for an executive-level job and who meet the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

Duties

The Executive Director of Operational Test Command (OTC) independently exercises technical direction and oversight responsibilities over the command's test and evaluation mission which significantly contributes to the Army and Joint Warfighter's success on current and future battlefields worldwide. Exercises oversight responsibilities over the conduct of realistic, objective, operational tests, assessments, and experiments on weapons, equipment, and doctrine using state-of-the-art technology. Reviews test programs and provides expert advice on test procedures, techniques and instrumentation. Resolves complex problems in diverse engineering and scientific disciplines and makes final decision on controversial technical issues cutting across other Army commands and DOD departments. Success of command mission has a substantial impact on the U.S. and allied national defense efforts and posture. Responsible for a budget for over $105M. Serves under the general supervision of the CG, ATEC, who delegates overall responsibility for the technical control, coordination and management of OTC programs and objectives. Oversees a workforce of over 1000 military, government civilian, and contracted members; directly supervises personnel at the NH-04 levels. Executes contracts in the amount of $57M.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required. You will serve a one-year probationary period unless you have previously completed the probationary period in the SES.
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
  • You must be able to submit and pass designated and/or Random Drug Testing as required.
  • File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
  • Appointment is subject to the completion of a favorable suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a background investigation.
  • You must be able to obtain/maintain the appropriate clearance and access level for this position. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • The incumbent is required to travel on both scheduled and unscheduled aircraft, and other modes as required, under conditions specified under the DoD Joint Travel Regulations.
  • The incumbent is expected to travel on short notice to attend high level meetings to obtain resolution of problems and gather information to assist in the decision-making process.
  • Mobility: An essential element of the SES is mobility across geographic, organizational and functional lines. Individuals selected for Army SES positions may be subject to reassignment that requires them to be mobile. You must sign a mobility agreement.

There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:

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 Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume. Your Resume must be 2 pages using 10pt, Arial or Times New Roman with 1-inch margins to describe your qualifications. 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. 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.

There is NO requirement to prepare a separate narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualification (TQ).

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (MTQ): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the following technical qualification.

MTQ: Professional expertise and broad background in the application of advanced engineering, scientific and operations research
theories, principles, practices, and techniques and/or systems analysis as evidenced by academic credentials, experience, and
standing among peers in the T&E and scientific community.


EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment 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 TQ, 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

THIS IS A SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE (SES) LEVEL CRITICAL ACQUISITION POSITION.
This is a Critical Acquisition Position. Unless specifically granted a position waiver by the Director of Acquisition Career Management or the Army Acquisition Executive the following requirements are mandated:

  • Selectee must execute a written tenure agreement to remain in Federal service in the position for at least three years.
  • Selectee must obtain the highest Career Category Level of certification in the assigned Career Category/Functional Area. The exception is Program Management, which requires Practitioner or higher Career Category Level certification. The assigned Career Category/Functional Area and Career Level Certification Category can be found on the sequenced position Conditions of Employment data fields in the header of the PD/PRD.
    • Foundational Career Level Certification Category or Contracting Professional Certification must be met within 3 years.
    • Practitioner Career Level Certification Category must be met within 5 years.
    • Advanced Career Level Certification Category must be met within 4 years.

"This critical acquisition position requires Level PRACTITIONER certification in acquisition functional area TEST AND EVALUATION".

Education

Education Requirement:
General Engineering Series (0801)
- https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

General Physical Science Series (1301) - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/general-physical-science-series-1301/

Operations Research Series (1515) - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/operations-research-series-1515/

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in -foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service (SES).

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Tiering: The Department of the Army structures its SES positions into categories (i.e. tiers) to determine the pay range for each position. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Department of the Army.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm

Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to

Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).

OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

Retired Federal Service Employee: If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.

False Statements: If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.

Non-Discrimination: All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, age, sex, sexual orientation, disabling condition, membership in an employee organization, or any other non-merit factors.

Adverse Information Screening: Applicants proposed for selection are subject to inquiries as to any incidences of misconduct, malfeasance, neglect of duty, or the appearance thereof. Information gained in this check will be considered in the approval decision.

E-verify: If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" system. Federal Law requires DHS to use the E-Verify system to verify the employment eligibility of all new hires and obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system as a condition of continued employment. The U.S. Department of Army is an E-Verify Participant.

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.

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 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 Qualification (MTQ) listed above. ECQs and TQ must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the 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). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.

Required Documents

A complete application includes items described below. Please note that 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).

Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.

1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 2 pages using 10pt, Arial or Times New Roman with 1-inch margins) showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.

2. VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.

3. PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT (MANDATORY SUBMISSION): Submit ONE of the following: A signed letter of recommendation dated within the last three years that assesses your performance *or* your most recent signed performance appraisal. (Please do not submit any prior appraisals.)

4. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable:

  • CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
  • SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.
  • CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: 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.
5. TRANSCRIPTS: An unofficial copy of your transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) which includes semester hours and degree received. For more information, you may refer to the following U.S. Department of Education website: US Dept of Education - College Accreditation

NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
Required Documents include resume, vacancy question/ assessment questionnaire responses, performance assessment (mandatory submission), and any additional required documents. 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. Your Resume must be 2 pages using 10pt, Arial or Times New Roman with 1-inch margins to describe your qualifications. 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. 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.
There is NO requirement to prepare a separate narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualification (TQ).To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application.Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages.

Agency contact information

Claudia Keit
Email
claudia.m.keit.civ@army.mil
Address
EN-APF-W3Q2AA US ARMY TEST AND EVALUATION CMD (ATEC)
DO NOT MAIL
Washington, DC 20301
US

Next steps

To verify the status of your application, sign in to your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/), 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://help.usajobs.gov/how-to.

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.

Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications based on the information provided and may interview the best-qualified applicants. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability and/or security background investigation. You should expect to hear back on the outcome of your application within 90 days of the closing date of the announcement. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, or your application is incomplete, your application will receive no further consideration. Pay is set based on consideration of selectee's current salary and other factors.

Once you enter on duty, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278e) within 30 days of entering this position. Please notify your servicing ethics counselor (part of the legal office) as soon as possible after starting your SES duties so the ethics counselor can assign you a new entrant report in the online Integrity system, (https://integrity.gov/efeds-login/).