Program Manager

Clarification from the agency

U.S. citizens or U.S. Nationals; Military Spouses; no prior Federal experience is required.

As a Program Manager (Operations Division Director) you will:

• Provides strategic leadership and formulates policy on environmental compliance, transuranic (TRU) waste management, and regulatory options to enable effective execution of agency cleanup missions.
• Manage, plan, integrate, and implement National Transuranic (TRU) Program Waste Certification and Disposal
  (NTPWCD) activities at DOE facilities throughout the United States.
• Serves as the primary Carlsbad Field Office interface and spokesperson with external federal and state regulators (e.g., EPA, NMED), local and tribal governments, and oversight entities on complex TRU waste disposal policy issues.
• Directs guidance and support for generator and interim storage sites in negotiating compliance agreements, permits, and orders, while overseeing the national compliance agreement milestone database.
• Directs staff in executing TRU waste characterization and certification programs, packaging and transportation oversight, and safety analysis compliance for TRU waste shipping corridors across the DOE complex.
• Directly supervises a multidisciplinary team of technical specialists and engineers by setting priorities, assigning work, evaluating performance, resolving grievances, and identifying developmental needs.
• Oversees multi-year planning, budgeting, and performance assessment activities (including composite analyses and public health risk evaluations) to ensure organizational alignment, efficiency and compliance, and legal defensibility.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
• If selected, your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• This position is not remote, the selectee will be expected to report to the duty station(s) listed. If selected, military spouses, veteran caregivers, and spouses of foreign service employees may be eligible for applicable workplace flexibilities.
• You are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08).
• New supervisors/managers are required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• New supervisors are required to complete 80 hours of supervisory training of which 40 hours must be completed during your first year as a supervisor.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• This position is not included in a Bargaining Agreement.
• This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) subject to applicant testing and random drug testing thereafter. Failure to test or a positive result on random drug tests conducted after appointment may result in removal from Federal employment.
• This position has been designated as High Risk and requires a security clearance at the Q. The incumbent is required to obtain and maintain this clearance; failure to do so may result in separation from federal service.
• This position is included in the Department of Energy's Technical Qualification Program (TQP). The selectee must meet core, position, and site-specific technical qualification standards within 18 months from the date of placement in the position.
• A one-year probationary period may be required.

Qualifications

GS-15 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-14 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting ALL of the following:

1. Directing or leading programs involving the disposal of hazardous, toxic, or radioactive waste in compliance with safety and environmental standards.
2. Representing an organization as a primary liaison or lead negotiator with external agencies, state/local government bodies, transportation authorities, or public interest groups.
3. Interpreting environmental regulations, permits, or statutory mandates (such as RCRA, EPA regulations, or state environmental health requirements) to ensure operational compliance and risk mitigation.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must (1) meet all of the requirements as described in this section; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as scoring in the in Well Qualified category (or higher).

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application will be assessed based on your responses to an online assessment that measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. Your score will place you into one of three pre-defined quality categories under Category Rating procedures. These categories are "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified". You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following competencies. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your resume how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the competencies identified below. Use specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position.

• Accountability
• Compliance
• Customer Service
• Decisiveness
• Flexibility
• Hazardous Materials
• Interpersonal Skills
• Leadership
• Managing Human Resources
• Partnering
• Problem Solving
• Resilience
• Strategic Thinking

• Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher.
• Non-Competitive Hiring Authority for Military Spouses: If you are a military spouse eligible under this authority, and you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the position, you will be referred to the selecting official for consideration on a separate list specific to only military spouses.
• Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as scoring in the in Well Qualified category (or higher).

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (09/28/2026) of this announcement. To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, clickhttps://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13064663.

To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:

• Your two (2) pageRESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
• Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
• Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement. Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
• Veterans' Preference documentation,if applicable, DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
• CTAP/ICTAP Eligible Applicants: To receive selection priority, you must submit the following documentation with your application:
  • Proof of Eligibility: A copy of your agency-issued Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, a copy of your separation SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) noting transition/displaced status, or other official agency documentation confirming your eligible status.
  • Proof of Performance Rating: A copy of your most recent performance appraisal/rating of record, which must include:
    • Your final rating (must be at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent); and
    • The rating scale/guide (explaining what each level/numeric score means), unless the rating scale is clearly defined on the appraisal document itself.
    • Note: While a formal performance appraisal is highly recommended and requested to expedite your evaluation, if your agency-issued RIF separation notice or other official separation documentation explicitly states that your performance was at least "Fully Successful" (or equivalent) and notes your rating of record, it may be accepted in lieu of a formal performance appraisal. Failure to provide any documentation proving a rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent will result in the loss of your priority consideration. For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.
• Military Spouse, if applicable, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders authorizing you to accompany the Military member to the new duty permanent station; OR verification of the member's 100% disability (VA Letter); and/or verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage). For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center.

Incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not provide photos or list a Social Security Number or date of birth on any attachment.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement, as demonstrated in your application and your responses to all assessments required for this position. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application or cheating on the assessment may result in removal from consideration. Responses to assessments must be prepared solely by the applicant. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, CoPilot) to draft, edit, or generate responses is strictly prohibited and may result in removal from consideration.

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