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Principal Director - External Affairs

Department of the Interior
Office of the Secretary of the Interior
Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This is not a remote position. The employee's duty station will be at a BIA, BIE, or BTFA office located throughout the country. Final duty location must be in agreement between the supervisor at the approval of the Assistant Secretary.

DOI structures its SES positions into categories to determine the minimum pay for each position. This is a Category 3. The minimum pay for this position is $191,900. Pay is set based on consideration of the selectee's current salary and other factors.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
07/19/2024 to 08/19/2024
Salary
$191,900 to - $221,900 per year
Pay scale & grade
ES 00
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Senior Executive
Promotion potential
00
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
SES-12438480-24-DD
Control number
800372100

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Duties

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As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, each applicant must provide evidence of progressively responsible executive leadership and supervisory experience that is indicative of executive-level management capabilities that are directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Executive Core Qualifications and Mandatory Technical Qualifications listed below. The ideal candidate will have experience managing employees through subordinate supervisors and have experience hiring, developing, and evaluating employees. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-14/15 grade level in the federal service or equivalent in the private sector or non-governmental organizations. Failure to meet this basic qualification requirements in addition to all executive and technical qualification factors will automatically disqualify an applicant.

The Principal Director - External Affairs is located in the Office of the Secretary of Interior at the Department of the Interior and reports to the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs, through the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs. The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Specific Duties

The incumbent carries out the following specific responsibilities:

  1. The position represents the Assistant Secretary - IA regarding engagement with the Public, Congress, the White House, the Office of Management and Budget, in coordination with Department external affairs executives, high level officials of other Departments and Agencies, Bureau and Office heads within the Department, and private and public interest groups on the full range of program, policy and legislative issues of the Department.
  2. In conjunction and as requested by the Assistant Secretary, advises the Secretary, other Assistant Secretaries, and Bureau/Office heads with respect to external engagement including public affairs, legislative matters and policies or problems of major concern that may affect the substantive program or interests of Indian Affairs, as well as to achieve consensus on controversial issues and to recommend or seek changes for better public and Congressional program acceptance.
  3. Confers with members of Congress and their constituents on all types of matters that fall within Indian Affair's purview. This requires a sound knowledge of the services and programs provided by Indian Affairs and an ability to relate Administration policy priorities to a very broad and complex range of specific activities.
  4. With the IA principals and subordinate staff, assists in the planning, directing, and monitoring of activities of the Offices of Public Affairs as well as Congressional and Legislative Affairs to ensure maximum and appropriate responsiveness to public and congressional inquiries. Reviews Indian Affairs-wide congressional and public relations practices to ensure consistency with IA, Secretarial and Administration policy, and to assure that standards of adequacy are met.
  5. Maintains an awareness of pertinent public affairs and congressional activity, pending legislation, and special interests. Together with the IA principals, analyzes potential impact on proposed or existing Indian Affairs and Department programs and acts to ensure any policy and program adjustments are made which may be needed.
Applicants who meet the mandatory executive and technical qualifications will be evaluated by a panel of SES members to determine the degree to which they possess each of the listed qualifications. This evaluation will determine which applicants are best qualified. Each candidate's background including experience, education, awards, self-development, and training will be reviewed. This information will be obtained from the application package, including the required narrative statements for the technical and Executive Core Qualifications described in this vacancy.

Additionally, your resume should demonstrate that you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully fulfill responsibilities inherent in most SES positions such as:

- Directing the work of an organizational unit;
- Ensuring the success of one or more specific major programs or projects;
- Monitoring progress toward strategic organizational goals, evaluating organizational performance and taking action to improve performance; and
- Supervising the work of employees; and exercising important policy-making, policy determining, or other executive functions.

If your resume does not include these basic qualifications, then you will not be considered further for this position and will not be determined as minimally qualified.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  1. U.S. Citizenship
  2. You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination.
  3. Newly appointed SES members must serve a 1-year probationary period
  4. Public Financial Disclosure (OGE-278 filing within 30 days is required)
  5. This position requires pre and post-employment drug screening.

Qualifications

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ's)- *Required Documentation*

The Office of Personnel Management has identified five executive core qualifications (ECQs). The ECQs define the competencies needed to build a federal corporate culture that drives for results, serves customers, and builds successful teams and coalitions within and outside the organization. The ECQs are required for entry to the Senior Executive Service and are used by many departments and agencies in selection, performance management, and leadership development for management and executive positions. The ECQs were designed to assess executive experience and potential-not technical expertise.

ECQ 1 - LEADING CHANGE: You must have demonstrated an ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

  • Leadership Competencies: Creativity & Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, Vision

ECQ 2 - LEADING PEOPLE: You must demonstrate the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
  • Leadership Competencies: Conflict Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others, Team Building

ECQ 3 - RESULTS DRIVEN: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
  • Leadership Competencies: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Technical Credibility

ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN: This ECQ involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.
  • Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, Technology Management

ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS: This ECQ involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.
  • Leadership Competencies: Partnering, Political Savvy, Influencing/Negotiating

FUNDAMENTAL COMPETENCIES: The following competencies are the foundation for success in each of the Executive Core Qualifications: Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Integrity/Honesty, Written Communication, Continual Learning, Public Service Motivation

Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs)- *Required Documentation*

MTQs are designed to assess an applicants experience relevant to the specific position requirements. Each MTQ narrative response must 1.) not exceed two pages per narrative statement; 2.) include specific examples of your experience, education, and/or accomplishments; and 3.) address specific challenges, contexts, actions, and results.
  1. Understanding of the Federal Trust responsibility to Indian Tribes and an ability to build a cohesive management team and formulate and execute performance planning, as well as lead individual office budgeting to support the Indian Affairs mission and IA principal priorities.
  2. Demonstrated knowledge of understanding, engaging and forward planning for goal-driven interaction with the Press/Media and the Congress.
  3. Demonstrated knowledge of and competency in the full range of the functions of engagement with the Press/Media as well as the Congress.
  4. General knowledge of the programs and operations of Indian Affairs and the Department of the Interior.
Challenge-Context-Action-Result(s) (CCAR) Model.

CCAR Model is outline below. When addressing the ECQs and MTQs, you are strongly recommended to utilize the CCAR Model. Each ECQ or MTQ statement should include more than one example of relevant experience.
  • Challenge: Describe a specific problem or goal.
  • Context: Talk about the individuals and groups you worked with, and/or the environment in which you worked, to tackle a particular challenge (e.g., clients, co-workers, members of Congress, shrinking budget, low morale).
  • Action: Discuss the specific actions you took to address a challenge.
  • Result: Give specific examples of the results of your actions. These accomplishments demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of your leadership skills.
Your responses to the ECQs and MTQs will be evaluated based on how clearly and concisely you emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the programs, activities, or services managed; program accomplishments; policy initiatives undertaken; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues addressed; and the results of actions taken.

You are required to submit separate narrative statements for each ECQ and MTQ to receive consideration for this position. Please see the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section for complete details regarding the page limitation and formatting requirement.

Education

This position does not have an educational requirement.

Additional information

INDIAN PREFERENCE: Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC, Section 472). Verification Form BIA-4432 must be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference. Indian Preference eligibles not currently employed in Federal service may be appointed under the Excepted Service Appointment Authority Schedule A, 213.3112(a)(7). Consideration will be given to Non-Indian applicants in the absence of qualified Indian Preference eligibles. For more information about Indian preference or to obtain BIA Form 4432 application instructions, please visit: https://www.bia.gov/jobsPrivacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (P.L. 93-579): This information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

CURRENT FEDERAL APPLICANTS: If you are a federal employee (non-SES or SES), then you must include your most recent performance appraisal within the last 12 months of your submission to this application. Additionally, you must include your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that reflects an appointment (i.e., initial, transfer, reinstatement, and etc.) or pay adjustment.

NON-FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must include your most recent performance appraisal within the last 12 months of your submission to this application OR a justification stating the reason why this information cannot be provided.

SPECIAL NOTE TO ALL APPLICANTS:

Your resume, performance appraisal, SF-50, Executive Core Qualification's (ECQs), and Mandatory Technical Qualification's (MTQs) for this announcement must be received online via the USAJOBS/Application Manager application system by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on closing date of the announcement. ECQs and MTQs must be submitted in the CCAR model format as previously outlined within this vacancy announcement. Email submissions from an applicant will not be accepted. Failure to submit a complete application will eliminate an applicant from further consideration. Applicants must contact the Human Resources Specialist point-of-contact prior to the closing date if assistance is needed to submit an application online.

The applicant selected for this position will be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report, SF-278, and the supplemental form, Confidential Statement of Employment and Financial Interest, DI-278. All forms must be filed within 30 days after the selection for this position.

The sensitivity level of the position requires completion of a successful background investigation of the selectee.

Effective January 1, 2010, OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

Senior Executive Service Probationary Period: If you are selected for this position, you will be required to serve a one-year SES probationary period, if one has not previously been completed.

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.

We will conduct an initial qualifications evaluation of all the applicants who have provided the required documentation. Minimally qualified applicants will be rated and ranked by a SES Rating Panel to determined the Best Qualified applicants. The best qualified applicants will be referred to the Selecting Official for further consideration and possible panel interview. You will be notified of the outcome after completion of the selection process. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position and failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume will result in a "not qualified" determination.

Upon receipt of your completed application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the qualification requirements. Our determination will be based on your separate narrative statement responses to the Executive Core Qualifications and Mandatory Technical Qualifications using the required CCAR Model in addition to the information stated in your resume. If you are among the best qualified applicants, then your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. Interviews are exclusively at the discretion of the Selecting Official.

FINAL CERTIFICATION: If you are selected, then you must be certified by the Office of Personnel Management's Qualifications Review Board before you are appointed to the position. You are exempted from this requirement if you are a:

  • current career SES member;
  • former career SES member with reinstatement eligibility; or
  • SES Candidate Development graduate and have already been certified by OPM.

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