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Program Manager (Managing Director)

Federal Maritime Commission
Office of the Managing Director

Summary

The FMC is the federal agency responsible for regulating the U.S. international ocean transportation system for the benefit of U.S. exporters, importers, and the U.S. consumer. The FMC is dedicated to ensuring a competitive and dependable international ocean transportation system that supports the U.S. economy and safeguards the public from unfair or deceptive practices.

Join the FMC and be part of a mission-driven organization during an important and exciting time in the maritime industry.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/20/2026 to 04/20/2026
Salary
$151,661 to - $228,000 per year
Pay scale & grade
ES 00
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
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
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Senior Executive
Promotion potential
00
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DE-12911170-26-SA
Control number
861960200

Duties

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This position is in the Office of the Managing Director and reports directly to the Commission Chairman, with broad discretionary powers and executive authority to act within established policies of the Chairman and the Commission. This is a Tier 2 Senior Executive Service position.

The incumbent serves as the Managing Director of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). In this capacity, the responsibilities of the Managing Director include:

  • Providing executive direction and guidance for the day-to-day activities of the Office of the Managing Director (OMD) staff and ensuring superior work product of all Program Bureau/Offices including the Bureau of Certification and Licensing, Bureau of Enforcement, Investigations and Compliance, Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services and the Offices of Information Technology.
  • Providing executive direction and guidance for the agency's major regulatory and administrative programs. Establishing program objectives and priorities necessary to meet the agency's mission and statutory responsibilities.
  • Serving as a principal policy and technical consultant and advisor to the Commission regarding executive, operational, technical, and strategic approaches to develop, revise, and implement agency policies, decisions, and orders.
  • Serving as the Performance Improvement Officer, coordinating development of the agency's multi-year strategic plans and execution; tracking performance measures/targets; and overseeing execution of performance improvement efforts.
  • Coordinating systematic review of the agency's regulations affecting the shipping industry, and internal policies and procedures; and development of recommendations for new or modified regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Representing the agency in meetings and negotiations of national and international importance, with representatives of the shipping industries, other federal government agencies, representatives of foreign governments, members of Congress, and congressional committees.
  • Directing, coordinating, and overseeing the agency's information technology (IT) program through the Director, OIT to ensure IT resources.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Subject to a 1-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
  • You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test before you can be appointed into this position. Designated and/or Random Drug Testing required.
  • File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
  • In order to qualify for this position, you must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.
There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:

Qualifications

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs).

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (MTQ)
: Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the following technical qualification.

MTQ 1: Demonstrates executive-level expertise in budgeting and financial management, human capital, procurement and contracting, and information technology applying innovative thinking and effective communication to drive continuous program improvement and enhance customer service. Ability to lead large teams with differing objectives and competing priorities to achieve a desired joint outcome.

MTQ2: Demonstrate extensive leadership experience managing a portfolio of regulatory programs, providing strategic direction for regulatory oversight, operational execution and enhance accountability. Skilled in leading the development and implementation of long- and short-term goals, strategies, objectives, and performance metrics that drive accountability and ensure the successful fulfillment of the agency's mission and statutory mandates.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs:

  • ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
  • ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
  • ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
  • ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated 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.
  • ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Education

There are no education requirements for this position.

If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

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)

Additional information

A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized for this position and a service agreement up to 4 years may be required if incentive is paid.

If selected for this position, you must complete personnel suitability documents. Your appointment is contingent upon the successful completion of an appropriate background investigation. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.

Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

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.

Tiering: The FMC structures its SES positions into categories (i.e. tiers) to determine the pay range for each position. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Commission.

The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521, requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a financial disclosure statement, SF-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually while employed, and upon termination of employment. You may also be subject to post employment restrictions.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm

Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to

Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx)

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact executiveresources@fmc.gov.

Drug Testing: This is a drug testing designated position. You must pass a drug test before your assignment to this position and you will be subject to random drug testing subsequent to your assignment.

OPM must authorize any employment offers made 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 Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Office of Human Resources.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ) listed above. ECQs and MTQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

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 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.

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