Program Manager / Senior Program Manager, Education Programs Job in Tucson, AZ

Vacancy No. DE-12884510-26-LLO Department Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation
Salary $108,455.00 to $166,615.00 Grade 13 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 2/23/2026 Close Date 3/13/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Tucson, AZ


Summary

The Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation (Udall Foundation) is hiring a Program Manager/Senior Program Manager (PM/SPM) to provide leadership for the administration and execution of the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship (Scholarship), Native American Congressional Internship (Internship), Morris K. Udall and John S. McCain III Native American Graduate Fellowship in Tribal Policy (Fellowship), and Stewart L. Udall Parks in Focus (Parks in Focus®) Programs.

This job is open to

The public

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

Duties

The PM/SPM reports to the Director of Education Programs (DEP) and is a member of the Education Programs team. In coordination with the DEP, the PM/SPM develops strategic program priorities and objectives, organizational and staffing structure, and performance measures for the Education Programs.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provide primary day-to-day oversight of the Scholarship, Internship, and Fellowship Programs and their associated activities, including program staff workloads and assignments.
  • Provide primary day-to-day oversight of Parks in Focus® activities, including program staff workloads and assignments. Ensure the effective execution of Parks in Focus® curriculum design, partner programming, trainings, exhibitions, events, and community outreach. In coordination with the DEP, formulate annual Parks in Focus® Program budgetary requirements and manage spend plans.
  • Facilitate the collection of programmatic, financial, and operational data and measures against which Scholarship, Internship, Fellowship, and Parks in Focus® Program performance can be evaluated.
  • In coordination with the DEP, recruit, supervise, mentor, and retain permanent and temporary employees to execute the mission of the Scholarship, Internship, Fellowship, and Parks in Focus® Programs. Effectively lead program teams by making employee project and work assignment decisions and monitoring and assessing workloads, program capacity, and training requirements. Conduct employee performance reviews and approval of time sheets, leave requests, and premium pay requests.
  • Conduct high-level outreach and outward facing communication with key audiences on behalf of the Scholarship, Internship, Fellowship, and Parks in Focus® Programs. Manage the development of high-quality written and multimedia materials such as news releases, annual reports, presentations, videos, curricula, event flyers, training materials, exhibit signage, photo publications, and social media content.
  • In coordination with the DEP and other agency officials, contribute program-level input to and support for grants, gifts, and donations activities that specifically impact the Education Programs, such as engaging existing and potential new program donors.
  • Serve as a backup to the DEP to ensure continued critical program operations. Provide support to the Executive Director and other agency officials as needed.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • You must be a United States citizen to apply for this position.
  • This position requires that you obtain and maintain a background/suitability investigation with favorable results.
  • A trial (probationary) period may be required.
  • All Udall Foundation employees are required to have payments made by direct deposit.

Qualifications

General Qualifications - All Levels:

  • Superior character, good judgment, interpersonal skills, and an ability to work in a supportive, professional, and problem-solving manner with agency employees, outside partners, and stakeholders.
  • Leadership skills as characterized by the ability to develop a common vision with colleagues, superiors, and subordinates, and a facilitative management style that emphasizes teamwork, collegiality, and flexibility.
  • Skill in assessing a problem or requirement, organizing an appropriate, solutions-focused response, and engaging others as needed to achieve a desired outcome.
  • An ability to multitask and manage multiple requirements simultaneously and effectively while maintaining oversight over areas of responsibility.
  • An ability to work independently to plan, organize, and coordinate technical projects, and to monitor and report on progress towards project objectives and milestones.
  • Superior oral and written communications skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, listen effectively, and engage with and inspire others.

Technical Qualifications - All Levels:
  • A bachelor's degree in an education, environmental, or related field, or at least five (5) years of equivalent applicable experience.
  • At least three (3) years of experience leading teams, to include demonstrated experience, training, and/or familiarity with performance planning, performance reviews, disciplinary actions, and/or personnel policies and procedures.
  • At least five (5) years of experience designing, implementing, executing, and/or evaluating education programming.
  • At least three (3) years of experience serving in a leadership capacity for education programs, including working with a variety of stakeholders to ensure program success.
  • At least three (3) years of experience proactively identifying efficiencies, assessing risks, and/or implementing improvements for education programs.
  • At least three (3) years of experience working with universities, colleges, youth-serving organizations, or Tribal educational organizations.
  • Experience developing and executing education programming, timelines, and/or road maps, and identifying or executing budgetary and resource requirements.
  • Demonstrated ability and competency in delivering presentations and developing communication materials.
  • An ability to identify and recommend strategies for improvements to education programming.

Additional Technical Qualifications - SPM Level:
  • At least one (1) year of Federal supervisory experience, or at least five (5) years of experience in a leadership position.
  • Demonstrated experience in grant writing, administration, and/or reporting.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiyear work plans for successful program outcomes.
  • Subject matter expertise in one or more areas of education programming such as nationally competitive scholarships, environmental education, Tribal health care, and/or Tribal public policy.

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience required.

Additional information

  • This position is telework eligible subject to relevant agency policy.
  • Occasional travel may be required.
  • EEO Policy Statement: The Udall Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Selection for this position will be based solely on merit with no discrimination for non-merit reasons such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, reprisal, genetic information, political affiliation, or other non-merit factor, as defined by law or regulation and governed by applicable case law.
  • Reasonable Accommodation: The Udall Foundation provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Applicants should notify the point of contact on this vacancy announcement if a reasonable accommodation is needed for any part of the application and hiring process.
  • Privacy Act: Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
  • Signature: Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application. 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.
  • Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or that you are exempt from doing so under the Selective Service Law.
  • Financial Disclosure: All employees of the Federal Government are subject to the conflict of interest statutes and regulations, including the Standards of Ethical Conduct. This position requires the filing of an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure form.

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.

Review our benefits

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 evaluated on the basis of: (1) your resume, which should reflect the quality and extent of your accomplishments, experience, and/or education relevant to the major duties and general qualifications of the position; (2) your cover letter, which should summarize your interest in and qualifications for the position; and (3) your references, for those candidates advancing to the interview stage.

Required Documents

  1. Cover letter
  2. Resume, not to exceed two pages in length; and
  3. Contact information for three professional references.
  4. Current or former Federal employees should also send a copy of their most recent SF-50.
  5. Applicants may also choose to submit responses to the four optional questions included with this announcement.
See 'How to Apply' for Instructions.

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

Email the required documents above to hiring@udall.gov.

Applications that do not adhere to the Required Documents instructions will not be considered.

Application materials received in full by the announcement closing date will be given full consideration.

Optional Questions:
Applicants may choose to answer the following four questions and submit their responses with their application package. The questions give candidates an opportunity to provide additional information about themselves, their background, and their dedication to public service.

Responses to these questions will not be used as a means of determining whether the candidate fulfills the qualifications of a position. The questions will also not be used to impose an ideological litmus test on candidates. If an applicant chooses not to submit responses to the questions, they will not be disqualified from consideration.

Answers to the four questions should be submitted in a separate document and will be reviewed only by the hiring manager and agency leadership (or a designee).

  1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal Government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
  2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve Federal Government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
  3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
  4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.
Responses must not exceed 200 words per question.

Applicants who respond to these questions certify that they are responding in their own words and that they did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as a large language model).

Agency contact information

Operations Manager
Email
hiring@udall.gov
Address
Morris K Udall and Stewart L Udall Foundation
434 East University Boulevard
Suite 300
Tucson, AZ 85705
US

Next steps

Evaluation of your application will be based on the information you supply. The materials you submit will not be returned; send only those materials needed to evaluate your application. After preliminary review of applications, the best-qualified candidates may be invited for one or more interviews, which may occur by telephone, video, or in person. Those candidates selected for interviews should expect that performance, suitability, and security information will be verified from reference checks and that information will be taken into account in making employment offers. A decision to fill the vacancy is expected within 60 days after the end of the job announcement period.