The incumbent serves as the Deputy Director of Operations in a major unified command. The Deputy Director of Operations (J3) is responsible for overseeing operations for USSOUTHCOM, supports the USSOUTHCOM mission, specifically, to conduct operations to deter, prevent, and defeat threats and aggression aided against United States, its territories, and interests with the assigned area of responsibility. Incumbent supervises and directs the functioning of the USSOUTHCOM Operations Directorate (J3). Primary responsibility is to act as principal advisor to the Combatant Commander, USSOUTHCOM on all operational matters. Joint/combined training, counterdrug operations, theater exercises, combat operations, plan implementation, peacetime Aerial Reconnaissance Program, space/cyber operations, and search and rescue all fall under the purview of the Director of Operations. Operational responsibilities include (1) the estimate of the situation to determine policy, objectives, and requirements; (2) coordination of ground, air and naval force activities as necessary for current and future operations; (3) preparation and dissemination of operations orders; (4) conduct of exercises; (5) maintenance of current information on the disposition and combat status of subordinate units of the command; (6) conduct of all special operations activities within the theater, and (7) coordination and conduct of combined space and cyber operations. Incumbent provides technical leadership and guidance to approximately 100 professional military and civilian personnel, structured in five deputy directorates, including an administrative division. The incumbent coordinates USSOUTHCOM operations issues with key leaders and personnel with the Department of Defense to include Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, Military Services, other Combatant Commands, Interagency, and other government agencies and departments such as Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, and Department of Homeland Security.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
You must be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for this position.
You must be able to submit and pass designated and/or Random Drug Testing as required.
You must sign a mobility agreement.
You must be able to obtain/maintain the appropriate clearance and access level for this position.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
One year trial/probationary period may be required. You will serve a one-year probationary period unless you have previously completed the probationary period in the SES.
Appointment is subject to the completion of a favorable suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a background investigation.
Direct deposit of pay is required.
This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
The incumbent is required to travel on both scheduled and unscheduled aircraft, and other modes as required, under conditions specified under the DoD Joint Travel Regulations.
The incumbent is expected to travel on short notice to attend high level meetings to obtain resolution of problems and gather information to assist in the decision-making process.
Mobility: An essential element of the SES is mobility across geographic, organizational and functional lines. Individuals selected for Army SES positions may be subject to reassignment that requires them to be mobile. The U.S. Army senior leadership considers mobility to be an integral part of employment as an SES member with the Department of the Army.
Qualifications
**To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), Technical Qualification(s), and other qualifications, if applicable (such as Education - see below). Additional information on ECQs is available at http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/ecq.asp.
All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) describing accomplishments that would satisfy the ECQs. Use the Challenge-Context-Action-Result (CCAR) Model to describe your accomplishments. You must address each ECQ separately. You are required to respond to all ECQs. Failure to do so, will result in an 'ineligible' rating. Each accomplishment should be clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of programs managed, and results of your actions. Total ECQ write-up should not exceed 10 pages using 12pt, Arial or Times New Roman with 1-inch margins.
Please Note: Current career SES members, former career SES members with reinstatement eligibility, and SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) graduates, who have been certified by the OPM do not need to address ECQs. However, Current or Former SES members must provide an SF-50 showing their status or reinstatement eligibility and Candidates who have successfully graduated from an OPM approved Candidate Development Program must submit a copy of their ECQ certification.
ECQ 1 - Leading Change: This core qualification involves the 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.
ECQ 2 - Leading People: This core qualification involves 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.
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.
ECQ 4 - Business Acumen: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.
ECQ 5 - Building Coalitions: This core qualification 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.
(2) MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION(S) (TQ): (MANDATORY SUBMISSION) A supplemental statement must be submitted separately addressing each TQ. Your TQ must provide specific examples that address relevant experience and accomplishments. Total TQ write-up should not exceed 1 page per TQ using 12pt, Arial or Times New Roman with 1-inch margins. Applicants must reflect superior technical qualifications demonstrated through leadership and management in the following:
1. Knowledge of critical war-fighting missions for a large major command, to include training, mobilizing, and deploying ready forces (comprised of military, civilian and contractor personnel) to meet the nation's operational requirements.
2. Ability to implement defense related processes related to Joint Operations, Plans, and
Training including strategic planning, contingency planning, military operations
planning, Force Management/Transformation and force modernization planning, and
Training Management for peacetime and wartime.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
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.
Veteran's Preference: By law Veteran's Preference does not apply to the Senior Executive Service.
False Statements: 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.
Non Discrimination: All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, age, sex, sexual orientation, disabling condition, membership in an employee organization, or any other non-merit factors.
Adverse Information Screening: Applicants proposed for selection are subject to inquiries as to any incidences of misconduct, malfeasance, neglect of duty, or the appearance thereof. Information gained in this check will be considered in the approval decision.
Be advised that, if selected, you must comply with the Ethics in Government Act and other statutes and regulations pertaining to Federal employee conflicts of interest. You will be required to file a Public Financial Disclosure Report disclosing your financial interests as well as financial interests imputed to you under Federal law and regulation. Your financial interests include your outside positions with non-federal entities, and the assets owned by you and your spouse. Should your assets or other financial interests, such as stocks you own, create a conflict of interest with your official duties, you may be asked to divest the asset or request disqualification from a portion of your duties. Furthermore, you may not participate personally and substantially in certain matters involving your former non-federal employer for up to two years. Your financial disclosure report is releasable to the public upon request. Please contact the POC listed at the bottom of this announcement should you have questions about these requirements.
E-verify: If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" system. Federal Law requires DHS to use the E-Verify system to verify the employment eligibility of all new hires and obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system as a condition of continued employment. The U.S. Department of Army is an E-Verify Participant.
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.
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.
You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments and experience.
Your resume will be evaluated by an SES rating and ranking panel, and afterwards, highly qualified candidates will undergo the Structured Interview process.
The Executive Resources Board (ERB) will review results and make recommendations on final selections to the appointing authority where final interviews and reference checks may occur.
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.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume (MANDATORY SUBMISSION): Submit a resume or any other written format you choose to describe your qualifications. Your resume must contain:
Vacancy Announcement number
Full name, email, mailing address, day and evening telephone numbers.
Educational information including the name, city, and state of colleges/universities you attended, as well as the type of any degree received. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For more information, you may refer to the following U.S. Department of Education website: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
Information about paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including: job title, duties and accomplishments, employer's name and address, duration of employment, and salary. Information about honors, awards, and special accomplishments.
2. Executive Core Qualifications (MANDATORY SUBMISSION): A narrative statement specifically addressing each individual ECQ using the Challenge-Context-Action-Result Model. Each accomplishment should be clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of programs managed, and results of your actions. Total ECQ write-up should not exceed 10 pages using 12pt, Arial or Times New Roman with 1-inch margins. Additional information on ECQs is available at http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/ecq.asp
In lieu of narrative statement, current career SES members, former career SES members with reinstatement eligibility, and SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) graduates must provide an SF-50 showing their status or reinstatement eligibility and Candidates who have successfully graduated from an OPM approved Candidate Development Program must submit a copy of their ECQ certification.
3. Mandatory Technical Qualification (MANDATORY SUBMISSION): A separate narrative statement specifically addressing the mandatory technical qualification. This separate statement should not exceed one page (per MTQ) using 12pt, Arial or Times New Roman with 1-inch margins. Applicants must reflect superior technical qualifications demonstrated through leadership and management in the following:
1. Knowledge of critical war-fighting missions for a large major command, to include training, mobilizing, and deploying ready forces (comprised of military, civilian and contractor personnel) to meet the nation's operational requirements.
2. Ability to implement defense related processes related to Joint Operations, Plans, and
Training including strategic planning, contingency planning, military operations
planning, Force Management/Transformation and force modernization planning, and
Training Management for peacetime and wartime.
4. Performance Assessment. (MANDATORY SUBMISSION): Submit ONE of the following: A signed letter of recommendation dated within the last three years that assesses your performance *or* your most recent signed performance appraisal. (Please do not submit any prior appraisals.)
5. Current or former employees MUST provide an SF-50 showing their status or reinstatement eligibility. SES Candidates who have successfully completed an Office of Personnel Management approved SES Candidate Development Program must submit a copy of their ECQ certification.
As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
*** You MUST apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.***
To receive consideration, applicants must submit application material as specified below. Complete applications must be received in this office by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) 02/23/2025. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Do not submit additional items such as copies of additional performance appraisals, position descriptions, etc. Such items may be removed and will not be returned. Also application material cannot be returned.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the View Occupational Questionnaire
Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) .
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Applicants who fail to submit all information and documents (i.e. Resume, ECQs, TQs, SF50 if applicable, and Performance Appraisal/Letter of Recommendation, Occupational Questionnaire, and other qualifications as applicable) WILL NOT receive consideration for the position.
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.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. 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. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. You must upload your ECQs, TQs and any Official Transcripts when required. If you have an SF50, please submit that as well. Your performance assessment or a Letter of Recommendation IS mandatory. Upload either document under Performance Appraisal. All Required documents must be uploaded or your application will be considered 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://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), 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://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
************************************************************
Background Survey Questionnaire, (OPTIONAL SUBMISSION): Form (O.M.B. No. 3046-0046) located: http://www.archives.gov/careers/jobs/forms/omb-3046-0046.pdf The information from this survey is used to help insure that agency personnel practices meet the requirements of Federal law. This information is provided pursuant to Public Law 93-579 (Privacy Act of 1974), December 31, 1974, for individuals completing Federal records and forms that solicit personal information.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application..
EN-APF-W096AA HQ USSOUTHCOM
DO NOT MAIL
Washington, DC 20301
US
Next steps
If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications based on the information provided and may interview the best-qualified applicants. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability and/or security background investigation. You should expect to hear back on the outcome of your application within 90 days of the closing date of the announcement. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, or your application is incomplete, your application will receive no further consideration. Pay is set based on consideration of selectee's current salary and other factors.
Once you enter on duty, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278e) within 30 days of entering this position. Please notify your servicing ethics counselor (part of the legal office) as soon as possible after starting your SES duties so the ethics counselor can assign you a new entrant report in the online Integrity system, (https://integrity.gov/efeds-login/).
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume (MANDATORY SUBMISSION): Submit a resume or any other written format you choose to describe your qualifications. Your resume must contain:
Vacancy Announcement number
Full name, email, mailing address, day and evening telephone numbers.
Educational information including the name, city, and state of colleges/universities you attended, as well as the type of any degree received. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For more information, you may refer to the following U.S. Department of Education website: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
Information about paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including: job title, duties and accomplishments, employer's name and address, duration of employment, and salary. Information about honors, awards, and special accomplishments.
2. Executive Core Qualifications (MANDATORY SUBMISSION): A narrative statement specifically addressing each individual ECQ using the Challenge-Context-Action-Result Model. Each accomplishment should be clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of programs managed, and results of your actions. Total ECQ write-up should not exceed 10 pages using 12pt, Arial or Times New Roman with 1-inch margins. Additional information on ECQs is available at http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/ecq.asp
In lieu of narrative statement, current career SES members, former career SES members with reinstatement eligibility, and SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) graduates must provide an SF-50 showing their status or reinstatement eligibility and Candidates who have successfully graduated from an OPM approved Candidate Development Program must submit a copy of their ECQ certification.
3. Mandatory Technical Qualification (MANDATORY SUBMISSION): A separate narrative statement specifically addressing the mandatory technical qualification. This separate statement should not exceed one page (per MTQ) using 12pt, Arial or Times New Roman with 1-inch margins. Applicants must reflect superior technical qualifications demonstrated through leadership and management in the following:
1. Knowledge of critical war-fighting missions for a large major command, to include training, mobilizing, and deploying ready forces (comprised of military, civilian and contractor personnel) to meet the nation's operational requirements.
2. Ability to implement defense related processes related to Joint Operations, Plans, and
Training including strategic planning, contingency planning, military operations
planning, Force Management/Transformation and force modernization planning, and
Training Management for peacetime and wartime.
4. Performance Assessment. (MANDATORY SUBMISSION): Submit ONE of the following: A signed letter of recommendation dated within the last three years that assesses your performance *or* your most recent signed performance appraisal. (Please do not submit any prior appraisals.)
5. Current or former employees MUST provide an SF-50 showing their status or reinstatement eligibility. SES Candidates who have successfully completed an Office of Personnel Management approved SES Candidate Development Program must submit a copy of their ECQ certification.
As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
*** You MUST apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.***
To receive consideration, applicants must submit application material as specified below. Complete applications must be received in this office by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) 02/23/2025. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Do not submit additional items such as copies of additional performance appraisals, position descriptions, etc. Such items may be removed and will not be returned. Also application material cannot be returned.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the View Occupational Questionnaire
Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) .
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Applicants who fail to submit all information and documents (i.e. Resume, ECQs, TQs, SF50 if applicable, and Performance Appraisal/Letter of Recommendation, Occupational Questionnaire, and other qualifications as applicable) WILL NOT receive consideration for the position.
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.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. 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. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. You must upload your ECQs, TQs and any Official Transcripts when required. If you have an SF50, please submit that as well. Your performance assessment or a Letter of Recommendation IS mandatory. Upload either document under Performance Appraisal. All Required documents must be uploaded or your application will be considered 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://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), 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://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
************************************************************
Background Survey Questionnaire, (OPTIONAL SUBMISSION): Form (O.M.B. No. 3046-0046) located: http://www.archives.gov/careers/jobs/forms/omb-3046-0046.pdf The information from this survey is used to help insure that agency personnel practices meet the requirements of Federal law. This information is provided pursuant to Public Law 93-579 (Privacy Act of 1974), December 31, 1974, for individuals completing Federal records and forms that solicit personal information.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application..
EN-APF-W096AA HQ USSOUTHCOM
DO NOT MAIL
Washington, DC 20301
US
Next steps
If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications based on the information provided and may interview the best-qualified applicants. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability and/or security background investigation. You should expect to hear back on the outcome of your application within 90 days of the closing date of the announcement. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, or your application is incomplete, your application will receive no further consideration. Pay is set based on consideration of selectee's current salary and other factors.
Once you enter on duty, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278e) within 30 days of entering this position. Please notify your servicing ethics counselor (part of the legal office) as soon as possible after starting your SES duties so the ethics counselor can assign you a new entrant report in the online Integrity system, (https://integrity.gov/efeds-login/).
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
