Senior Executive Leader/ Deputy Director Special Defense Task Force (DC) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. 1252389 Department National Security Agency/Central Security Service
Salary $195,200.00 to $207,500.00 Grade 1 to 1
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/22/2025 Close Date 1/16/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The incumbent serves as the Deputy Director of a National Security/Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) program and reports to the program Director as well as a set of Senior-level program stakeholders. As the Deputy Director, the incumbent shares the responsibility with the Director in directing the mission of this NS/EP program. Lead a group of government and contractor staff charged with implementing long-range strategic concepts and plans supporting NS/EP.

This job is open to

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Senior executives

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

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Duties

The Deputy Director provides management decisions over the full range of program missions and responsibilities to include setting organizational goals and priorities. Further, he/she develops and maintains relationships with stakeholders, customers, partners, and industry to optimize collaboration and operations. Additionally, the Deputy Director is responsible for:
- Effectively supporting, developing, and managing a workforce that is capable of responding to Stakeholder requirements; promoting a healthy workforce climate and fostering cohesive relationships across the organization;
- Serving as Acting Director with all the authorities of the Director to make decisions when the Director is unavailable due to leave, travel, etc;
- Facilitating program prioritization and applying resources across divisions with a holistic understanding of stakeholder needs and expectations;
- Directing program operations and ensuring success of all projects and programs;
- Overseeing all program planning initiatives and execution of program exercises to ensure constant state of readiness;
- Managing efforts to fully understand and meet stakeholder needs and requirements;
- Developing, directing, and articulating strategies, policies, and plans for addressing current and future requirements and monitoring progress toward meeting goals and making appropriate adjustments;
- Overseeing all program management and administrative activities to ensure supporting processes, policies, and resources are in place to enable successful mission accomplishment; and
- Cultivating collaborative relationships with senior leaders within the United States Government to understand and meet their needs and to inform them about the program's mission and activities as necessary.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.

Qualifications

The incumbent must have experience in executive and organizational leadership, management of budget/finance resources, and demonstrate the ability to develop and maintain a working knowledge of continuity planning and programs. The incumbent must be a proven leader who operates well under pressure, communicates effectively, is capable of multi-tasking, able to set priorities for staff, and is comfortable dealing with senior leaders and high-level customers. The ability to portray a positive, proactive, diplomatic and professional demeanor with partners and stakeholders at all times is critical.

The selected individual must demonstrate mastery in the six Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service core qualifications (ECQs): (1) Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding, (2) Driving Efficiency, (3) Merit and Competence, (4) Leading People, (5) Achieving Results, and (5) Leading the Intelligence Enterprise.

EDUCATION:
Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 10 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 5 years experience. Degree must be in a technical field (engineering, science, etc.)

For Non-DISES applicants:
The applicant selected must meet all the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) listed below. Applicants should provide a brief narrative (no more than one-half page) to support each ECQ. In addition, each applicant must submit a resume.

How You Will Be Evaluated:
The applicant selected must meet all the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) listed below. Applicants should provide a brief narrative (no more than one-half page) to support each TQ. In addition, each applicant must submit a resume.

ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding Demonstrates knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
Competencies:

Knowledge of the American System of Government
Demonstrates understanding and appreciation of the American system of government, including the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, separation of powers, federalism, and the historical development of the American Nation.

Commitment to the Rule of Law
Demonstrates s/he upholds the principles of the American Founding, including equality under the law and democratic self-government. Aspirant ensures the law is applied fairly and consistently.

Civic-Mindedness
Stays up-to-date on important developments in American government and aligns organizational objectives and practices with presidential and public interests. Aspirant demonstrates a commitment to service the American people

ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency Demonstrates ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
Competencies:

Fiscal Responsibility
Strategically manages, allocates, and monitors financial resources. Aspirant aligns priorities and initiatives to justify budget proposals and monitors expenditures, cut unnecessary costs, and uses cost-benefit analysis to set priorities.

Managing Resources
Manages resources efficiently and effectively based on current and projected organizational goals, skills, budget considerations, and staffing needs.

Leveraging Technology
Explores emerging technology and potential applications. Aspirant incorporates technology to enhance efficiency and achieve results, and ensures access to and security of technology systems.

ECQ 3: Merit and Competence Demonstrates knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
Competencies:

Technical Skill
Possesses the requisite technical knowledge and subject matter expertise to consistently produce timely, high-quality work. Aspirant is considered a strong contributor in his or her domain.

Problem-Solving
Engages in critical and data-driven thinking when diagnosing root causes and evaluating options. Aspirant identifies and promptly addresses the most pressing, high priority problems.

Agility and Resilience
Anticipates and adapts to change, new idea, new information, and new conditions. Aspirant is committed to continuous improvement, deals effectively with pressure, and remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity.

ECQ 4: Leading People Demonstrates 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.
Competencies:

Accountability
Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, appraised, trained, and retained. Aspirant takes swift action to address performance-or conduct-based deficiencies in employees supervised. Aspirant holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.

Developing Others
Recognizes and rewards outstanding achievement in others. Aspirant develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods. Aspirant cultivates a dynamic environment in which employees are not afraid to make mistakes.

Executive Judgment
Makes well-reasoned, timely, and effective decisions and considers short- and long-term implications. Aspirant communicates effectively with stakeholders across all organizational levels, sharing and guarding information where appropriate.

ECQ 5: Achieving Results Demonstrates the ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
Competencies:

Operational Mindset
Effectively translates strategies into actionable steps and processes. Aspirant partners effectively with stakeholders to drive adoption and addresses blockers to ensure successful implementation.

Innovation
Applies creativity to improving products and processes, challenges convention, takes measured risks, and considers ways to simplify and remove unnecessary requirements.

Strategic Thinking
Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization by evaluating conditions, resources, capabilities, constraints, and organizational goals and values.

ECQ 6: LEADING THE INTELLIGENCE ENTERPRISE This core qualification is comprised of the Intelligence Community (IC)-specific "joint" competencies of Collaboration and Integration, Enterprise Focus, and Value-Centered Leadership.
Competencies:

Collaboration and Integration
Share information and knowledge to achieve results by creating an environment that promotes employee engagement, collaboration, integration, information and knowledge sharing, and the candid, open exchange of different points of view.

Enterprise Focus
Demonstrate a deep understanding of how the mission, structures, leaders, and cultures of the various DoD and IC components interact and connect.

Value-Centered Leadership
Advance and reinforce DoD and IC core values: A Commitment to selfless service and excellence in support of the IC's mission, as well as to preserving, protecting, and defending the Nation's laws and liberties; the integrity and Courage (moral, intellectual, and physical) to seek and speak the truth, to innovate, and to change things for the better, regardless of personal or professional risk; and Collaboration as members of a single IC-wide team, respecting and leveraging all members of the IC, their background, their sources and methods, and their points of view.

Additional information

Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position.

Salary Range: DISLESTier 1 - $195,200 - $207,500 Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.

The incumbent of this position is designated as an Emergency Employee (EE), Non-Combat Essential (NCE) for purposes of weather-related events and/or in support of emergency operations, humanitarian missions, disaster relief, or other expeditionary missions in the continental United States that are not considered "combat" locations. This position may require sudden operational and/or training deployments, with little or no advance warning provided. Employee may be subject to 24-hour on-call duty. In an emergency, this service may require irregular working hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official position description. Employee must be able to relocate to emergency sites with little advance notice and function under increased mental and physical stress. Employee must physically be able to move and assemble equipment weighing at least 50 pounds.

The incumbent is subject to random drug testing and subject to random polygraph testing.

This position requires a TOP SECRET clearance and T5, T5R or equivalent personnel security investigation.

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.

See Qualifications Section

Required Documents

**VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS**
Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority.

Veterans' Preference
In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candidates. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility upon application.

Acceptable documentation includes:
- DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4);
OR
- Certification of Service:
A written document on letterhead from the appropriate branch of the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should include the military service dates, including the expected discharge or release date;
AND
- Standard Form 15 (SF-15) Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf).

If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability;
AND
- VA Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship rating)

You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/).

**Failure to provide sufficient documentation of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candidate during the hiring selection process.

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

Please visit our application site to apply: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1252389

Agency contact information

NSA POC

Next steps

Please visit our application site to apply: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1252389


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