Executive Director, Acquisition Policy and Oversight

About the role

The Executive Director, Acquisition Policy and Oversight position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), DHS Headquarters, Management Directorate, Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO).

The OCPO is responsible for procurement and contracting operations and activities within DHS including initiating, formulating and implementing policies and procedures necessary to achieve and maintain an effective and efficient procurement and contracting program.

What you will do

• The Executive Director, Acquisition Policy and Oversight (APO) provides executive leadership to the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer division responsible for setting strategic direction for acquisition policy, procurement-related legislation, and comprehensive oversight of DHS contracting activities.
• The incumbent serves as a principal advisor to the Chief Procurement Officer and Deputy Chief Procurement Officer, delivering authoritative guidance on procurement strategies and pioneering solutions to the agency's most complex and unprecedented acquisition challenges.
• Drives excellence and continuous improvement across all contracting activities, ensuring the integrity, effectiveness, and agility of DHS's acquisition programs in a rapidly evolving procurement environment.
• Specific responsibilities include: Provides executive oversight to ensure DHS procurement and contracting activities align with national and departmental public policy objectives.
• Ensures rigorous compliance with legislative mandates and program requirements, safeguarding the integrity and effectiveness of DHS acquisition programs.
• Champions a culture of accountability and operational excellence by providing executive leadership and strategic direction for oversight reviews of DHS contracting activities.
• Oversees rigorous assessments of compliance, documentation quality, and risk management, leveraging review outcomes to guide and empower contracting teams.
• Provides executive leadership as the CPO's principal liaison for all Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Inspector General (IG) procurement-related reviews.
• Leads cross-functional teams in representing DHS at entrance and exit conferences, ensuring comprehensive and timely responses to draft GAO/IG reports.
• Exercises strategic oversight of key procurement documents requiring CPO approval, including Determination and Findings, Justification and Approvals for Other than Full and Open Competition, and acquisition plans.
• Fosters collaboration with contracting activities to deliver proactive guidance and support in the development of critical procurement documentation.
• Provides strategic direction and oversight in the formulation of procurement-related legislative proposals, guiding the Department's approach to legislative initiatives and ensuring that proposed measures advance organizational procurement objectives and priorities Ensures appropriate coordination with the Office of Management and Budget on DHS's position on acquisition legislation.
• Serves as the principal authority for interpreting acquisition statutes and regulations, providing authoritative guidance to DHS senior leadership on the strategic implications of statutory requirements affecting all DHS acquisitions.
• In close coordination with the Office of Legislative Affairs, proactively engages Congressional staff to effectively communicate and advocate DHS's position on proposed acquisition legislation and amendments to existing laws.
• Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of DHS acquisition regulations and policy.
• Provides executive leadership in analyzing and resolving highly complex and sensitive contracting challenges that impact DHS's ability to accomplish its mission.
• Provides executive oversight and strategic direction for evaluating proposed and newly enacted complex regulations.
• Provides executive oversight for the development and execution of strategies to ensure acquisition data is current, accurate, and complete.
• Provides executive leadership in championing full and open competition across all DHS procurements and programs.
• Proactively identifies and addresses barriers to contract competition, recommending strategic solutions and establishing policies and procedures to eliminate obstacles.
• Provides executive representation for the CPO, Deputy Chief Procurement Officer, and the procurement line of business as a member of the Enterprise Investment Board and Executive Steering Committee.
• Provides executive leadership and strategic oversight of subordinate leaders and their organizations, setting clear expectations, driving accountability, and empowering high performance across all levels to ensure operational excellence and alignment with DHS's acquisition mission and strategic priorities.

Education

This position has an education requirement.

You must submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades).

Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from the selectee prior to receiving an official offer. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.

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.

If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

How you will be evaluated

A multi-step process is used to evaluate and refer applicants: 1. Minimum requirements: Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. Your application must show that you meet all requirements including the education and/or experience required for this position.

You may be rated "not qualified" if you do not possess the qualification requirements for the position. If your application is incomplete, you may be found "ineligible". 2.

Rating and Ranking: If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (MTQ) listed above. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed.

A panel of subject matter experts will review your application and evaluate your qualifications for this position based on the information in your application. Your application will be rated, based on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of this position.

Highly/Top Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. 3. Referral: If you are among the higly/top qualified candidates, your application will be referred to a selecting official for consideration and a possible interview.

The DHS Executive Resources Board (ERB) will review the results and make recommendations on final selections to the ERB Chair and appointing authority, where final interviews and reference checks may occur.

Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position.

The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

For more information regarding the SES, go to *** Your supporting documents are an integral part of the process for determining your qualifications for the position. If your responses are not supported by your resume, you will be eliminated from consideration.

After reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, if a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Incomplete or late applications will not receive further consideration.

Documents you must provide

• A complete application includes items described below.
• Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
• Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit.
• Some documents may not apply to all applicants.
• RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience.
• Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs.
• PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
• TRANSCRIPTS: Your transcripts must support your claim that you meet the education requirements for the position.
• Upload under "Transcript" document type in the agency application system.
• ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable: CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: I am applying as someone that currently holds or has held a position in the federal civil service--the federal civil service is defined as positions in the executive, judicial, and legislative branches; it does not include positions in the uniformed services.
• I must submit: SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action Upload under "SF-50" document type in the agency application system.
• Proof of holding of federal civil service position If you work(ed) for an agency that does not provide an SF-50--for example, the United States Postal Service--provide documentation that confirms you currently hold or have held a position in the federal civil service.
• Upload under "SF-50" document type in the agency application system.
• CURRENT SES MEBERS: I am applying as a current career Senior Executive Service (SES) member.
• I must submit: SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action Block 5-B (Nature of Action) must identify SES career appointment.
• Upload under "SF-50" document type in the agency application system.
• FORMER SES MEBERS:I am applying as a former career Senior Executive Service (SES) member that is reinstatement eligible.
• I am eligible for reinstatement to the SES because (1) I successfully completed the 1-year SES probationary period or am exempt because I was converted to the SES as a career appointee when the SES was first established, and (2) left the SES for reasons other than misconduct, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or less than fully successful performance, or resignation after receipt of a notice proposing or directing removal under any of the aforementioned conditions.
• I must submit: SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action Block 5-B (Nature of Action) must identify SES career appointment.
• Upload under "SF-50" document type in the agency application system.
• SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: I am applying as an SESCDP graduate.
• I must submit: Certificate of Executive Qualifications Upload under "Certificate of Executive Qualifications" document type in the agency application system.
• STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Most recent performance evaluation

What to expect next

To verify the status of your application, sign in to your USAJOBS account (***), 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: ***

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the DHS Headquarters Executive Services team to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.

Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities.

For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Employee Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

(***). Thank you for your employment interest in the Department of Homeland Security!

Additional information

Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid. Recruitment/Relocation/Retention Incentive may be authorized at Management's discretion. Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders.

Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: *** Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: *** Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see ***) If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact Valerie Hopkins via email at *** .

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy.

To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for Top Secret/ Sensitive Compartment Information clearance as a condition of placement in this Special Sensitive position.

This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U. S.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U. S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring.

These authorities are subject to change. Pursuant to Executive Order 12654 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.

Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty.

False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

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.