Program Manager (New and Emerging Entrants - UAS Detection) Job in FAA Location Negotiable Upon Request - See Additional Info

Vacancy No. AWA-ARP-25-48298BR-93771 Department Federal Aviation Administration
Salary $92,964.00 to $144,121.00 Grade J to J
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/3/2025 Close Date 1/17/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
FAA Location Negotiable Upon Request - See Additional Info


Summary

This position serves as a Program Manager for new and emerging entrants in the Office of Airports, Safety and Standards, Airports Emerging Entrants Division (AAS-200). The incumbent applies expert and in-depth knowledge of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), UAS Detection Systems, and applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies to facilitate the safe and efficient integration of these technologies into the nation's airports, heliports, and vertiports.

Duties

Serves as a recognized subject matter expert (SME) in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and UAS Detection System technologies. Provides technical advice, guidance and expertise (either directly or by helping to facilitate engagement of other subject-matter experts) to managers, supervisors, and other personnel in developing policy and regulations unique to UAS and UAS Detection Systems on airports.

Provides leadership for highly complex and challenging activities under the minimal direction of a manager or executive. Identifies and resolves challenging problems or issues that often cross- organizational boundaries and impact on the accomplishment of strategic objectives.

Applies expert knowledge of Federal statutes, grant assurances, and policies related to UAS and UAS Detection Systems. Works closely with the Office of Airports (ARP) regional and field offices and the Office of Security and Hazardous Materials (ASH) to oversee the coordination and evaluation of policies and guidance related to the deployment of UAS Detection Systems on U.S. public-use airports. Provides support to division staff and management in the integration of UAS operations on airports. Coordinates with appropriate lead technical or integration offices including ASH, Air Traffic Organization (ATO), Office of NextGen (ANG), UAS Integration Office (AUS), Flight Standards (AFS), and Aircraft Certification (AIR) to ensure the safe integration of UAS and UAS Detection technologies into the airport and surrounding environment. Coordinates with the Airports Technology Research and Development Branch to identify future research needs and supports ongoing research ensuring information is timely and available for policy and standards development. Routinely communicates updates with applicable ARP divisions, regional and field offices. Coordinates meetings with operators, sponsors, manufacturers, industry associations, Federal partners, state/local/tribal governments, and others to facilitate communications with relevant ARP offices. Conducts outreach, provides support for staffing, writing, research, and other functions to facilitate ARP's development of standards, policy, and guidance.

Initiates and maintains effective communication with all stakeholders, including other professional and technical subject-matter experts within ARP and other parts of the FAA, and builds cooperative, ongoing working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to advance the mission of ARP and the FAA. Collaborates and engages in ongoing dialog to stay abreast of new and emerging technologies and FAA environments that may influence ARP’s mission.

Participates as a subject-matter expert (SME) and helps identify other SMEs to participate in various workgroups, rulemaking councils, committees, and other groups. Contributes to the preparation and dissemination of ARP’s written materials by drafting and editing standards, policies, guidance, talking points, fact sheets, briefing materials, and other materials for use in conducting, facilitating, and supporting internal and external outreach, briefings, events, meetings, and speeches. Ensures that information on FAA activities related to new and emerging entrants and technologies are communicated in an effective and timely manner throughout ARP, by engaging with other ARP personnel as well as planning, leading or facilitating internal and external meetings.

Provides advice to management on planning methodologies and performance/trend indicators to measure attainment of fiscal year goals and objectives. Presents recommendations for adoption, implementation, mitigations, or changes to senior management. Prepares documentation and reports, to include charts, graphs, statistical summaries, etc. of the revised procedures or processes. Provides expert guidance and instruction both internally and externally to address diverse, complex issues which often cross multiple projects, programs, and/or functional areas.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Travel Required: 10% (Domestic Only)
  • PCS is only being offered to those moving to the HQ region in Washington, DC. PCS is not an entitlement.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I, FG/GS-13 level. This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Specialized experience is defined as:

-Experience with Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and/or UAS Detection Systems in an airport environment.

You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered.

Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification.

*Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position.*

Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA.

**All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.**

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.

Preview Job Questionnaire

Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.

The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family.

NOTES:

1. This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about Core Compensation is available at: https://www.faa.gov/jobs/working_here/benefits.

2. As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.

In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA section, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a human resource specialist as appropriate.

3. Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; (3) alphabetical; or (4) priority grouping, and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration.

4. Some, all, or none of the applicants may be interviewed.

5. This Level 6 (High Risk; Public Trust) position requires favorable adjudication of a Background Investigation (BI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.

6. Duty Location will be determined upon selection. The available FAA duty locations that we offer are:

  • Anchorage, AK
  • Des Plaines, IL
  • Jamaica, NY
  • Atlantic City, NJ
  • Washington, DC
  • Kansas City, MO
  • Burlington, MA
  • Des Moines, WA
  • College Park, GA
  • Fort Worth, TX
  • El Segundo, CA

7. This announcement is also being advertised under VA #AWA-ARP-25-48298BR-93785. Please review both vacancy announcements before making application to determine your eligibility to apply.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

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.



IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

Required Documents

Only supplemental documentation (e.g. transcript, certifications, SF-50, and/or veterans' documentation) will be accepted in combination with your on-line application or faxed to 202-267-7032. These documents must be uploaded on faxed or before the closing date of the announcement. All submitted documents must reference the announcement number.

For guidance on how to create a Federal resume, visit http://www.archives.gov/careers/jobs/forms/resume-guide.pdf.

Failure to submit all required documents by the closing date will result in a finding of ineligible. We are not responsible for incomplete, illegible or missing documents.

Please DO NOT email your application documents. We cannot accept documents received via the email system. Documents sent via email will NOT receive consideration.



All Veterans: If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit either a DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member 4 Copy or equivalent), or a document from the armed forces certifying that within 120 days you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions. If you are claiming 10 point preference, you must also submit a completed SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference, and supporting documents outlined on the SF-15. Documents must be uploaded or faxed to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office listed in this announcement and all documents must be received by the closing date of the announcement. If you fail to submit documentation, you will be assessed as a non-veteran.

If you are claiming 10 point preference but fail to submit the supporting documents outlined on the SF-15, you will be tentatively assessed as a 5 point preference eligible provided your DD Form 214 reflects that you have the service required to qualify for preference. Documents must be uploaded or faxed to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office listed in this announcement and all documents must be received by the closing date of the announcement. If you fail to submit documentation, you will be assessed as a non-veteran.

Veterans currently on active duty claiming veterans' preference: You will be granted tentative preference if you submit a document from the armed forces certifying that within 120 days you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions and your application shows that you have the required service. Prior to being appointed, you must provide to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office a DD Form 214 documenting discharge/release and showing that the service was honorable or general. If you are on terminal leave, you must provide documentation certifying authorized terminal leave.

If you want consideration for one or more of the Special Hiring Authorities, documentation that must be submitted at time of application can be found at Direct Hiring Authorities | Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov).

Forms:
  • SF-15  : Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference

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

You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE OR EDUCATION.

We strongly encourage applicants to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder in the creation of resumes.

Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:

  • Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)

  • Duties (be specific in describing your duties)

  • Employer's name and address

  • Supervisor name and phone number

  • Start and end dates including month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)

  • Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)

  • Salary (optional)


Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible.

You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies. Please see this guide, Document Upload Guide, for more information on uploading and re-using the documents in your applications.

Agency contact information

Benigno Ruiz
Phone
1 (202) 267-4452
Fax
1 (202) 267-7032
Email
benigno.m.ruiz@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
Employment Services Division
800 Independence Ave, SW, Room 523
AHF-110
Washington, DC 20591
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once we receive your complete application, the Human Resources Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Eligible and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. You will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

For instructions on how to check the status of your application, please go to: USAJOBS Help Guide.

Important - If you make any changes to your application, you must resubmit it. If you make changes to your application and do not resubmit it, your changes will not be considered part of your application package, and only your previously submitted application will be evaluated.

All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.


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