Program Manager (Program Officer Acquisition) (NH-4)

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for AcqDemo Business and Technical Management Career Path (NH) to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: Serves as a Program Officer for various ACAT I, II and/or III programs within the DASA, DE&C. The NH-04 pay band includes the General Schedule grade equivalent to GS-14/15.

Duties

Coordinate and develop strategic frameworks for portfolio-level acquisition planning, financial execution, and intellectual property/data rights to enable international acquisition / industrial cooperation while protecting critical U.S. technology. Synthesize complex acquisition and industrial base realities to align overarching program plans with the America First Arms Transfer Strategy (AFATS), ensuring procurement strategies leverage co-production and co-sustainment opportunities. Plan, conduct, and direct highly complex portfolio-level reviews and feasibility studies to provide Department of the Army and DoD senior commands with definitive courses of action on global industrial cooperation and supply chain resilience. Collaborate with Program Offices and Assistant Program Managers (PMs) across their portfolios to synchronize program milestones, balance competing domestic and foreign production demands, and manage systemic industrial base risks. Review regulatory documentation for the acquisition project—including agreements and export controls supporting international requirements—and recommend appropriate actions to obtain program approvals. Project major milestones and events necessary for the strategic implementation of acquisition portfolios, including co-production transition points and partner qualification gates.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. To qualify, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade/level NH-3/GS-13) which includes: 1) Coordinating acquisition and logistics activities that advance major defense programs across worldwide sites; 2) Evaluating project financial resources against commercial technological capabilities to formulate strategic recommendations for higher headquarters; 3) Performing contract administration through regular contractor program reviews to ensure compliance with established program acquisition plans; and 4) Briefing senior leaders to provide program updates that identify program issues or progress in issue resolution. Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Education

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications

How you will be evaluated

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/23/2026 to receive consideration 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 (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13090817). Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section. 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. Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete. It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/applicant/profile/dashboard/), 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/application/status.

Other information

Direct Deposit of Pay is required. This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. 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. This is a(n) CP 60 Career Program position aligned under the Strategic Planning and Foreign Affairs Career Management Directorate. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest. Relocation/Retention Incentive will not be authorized. Student Loan Repayment Program will not be authorized. Position is Telework eligible, as determined by agency policy. This is a DoD Demonstration Project position. Under the Defense Authorization Act, personnel management demonstration programs are operating in numerous Army activities and various other organizations supported by Army civilian personnel centers. Under the streamlined personnel operations for demonstration projects, the familiar 15 General Schedule grade structure is replaced with broad pay bands that typically encompass a range of grades. The NH-04 encompasses the GS 14 step 1 to GS-15 step 10 grade levels. Other initiatives under the demonstration projects include simplified classification, streamlined hiring process, and expanded developmental opportunities.