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Supervisory Program Manager

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Office of Commercial Space Transportation, Safety Authorization Division, Operations Support Branch

Summary

The mission of the Office of Commercial Space Transportation is to ensure protection of the public, property, and the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States during commercial launch or reentry activities, and to encourage, facilitate, and promote U.S. commercial space transportation.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/06/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 6, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$150,392 - $228,000 per year

The salary listed above includes a 33.94% locality payment for the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Pay scale & grade
FV K
Promotion potential
NA
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - The job may require up to 25% travel.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Secret
Announcement number
AWA-ASA-26-4164JC-99170
Control number
874197900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent FAA employees

Duties

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Serves as a Branch Manager for the Safety Authorization Division (ASA-100) within AST. The division carries out AST's responsibility to ensure public health and safety by licensing commercial space launches and reentries and operation of commercial (non-federal) launch and reentry sites. This division also issues experimental permits for developmental reusable suborbital rockets and safety approvals for launch vehicles, reentry vehicles, safety systems, processes, services, and/or components for commercial launch operations and personnel performing functions related to licensed/permitted launch activities.

Managerial duties typically affect employees and managers in more than one organizational unit/project/program, and include: planning; communicating the organization's vision and objectives; setting priorities; assigning tasks and responsibilities; monitoring and evaluating performance; coaching and developing employee capabilities; approving leave; and taking, recommending or approving corrective/disciplinary actions as appropriate. Work usually includes a mixture of routine and complex projects/programs based on the objectives of the major subdivision/LOB/SO.

Contacts are primarily within the organizational unit, major subdivision and the LOB/SO with subordinates, peers, and higher level managers to discuss the status of projects/programs and to plan for the future. Has authority to make commitments for subordinate organizational units, within guidelines. Maintains effective communication with all stakeholders and builds cooperative, ongoing working relationships with them to achieve organizational objectives.

The incumbent will collaborate with all levels of management, including senior level executives and program sponsors/owners to solicit and provide input, coordinate approvals, measure and report progress, and facilitate stakeholder involvement. The Branch Manager supports the Division Manager in executing daily operations. Defines, plans, and organizes assigned budget, staff, and other resources to accomplish objectives for more than one organizational unit/project/program.

Applies an advanced knowledge of the technical aspects of the appropriate specialization as well as expert knowledge of FAA programs and missions, the commercial space transportation industry, the general principles of launch/reentry applications and operations, and Federal laws, regulations, and policies governing the commercial space transportation industry. Regularly reviews projects and programs to make sure they are aligned with long and short-term AST goals, objectives, and plans. Establishes and refines branch objectives to support those goals and plans. Ensures that the branch staff has the required guidance to carry out functions and objectives. Applies budget, human resource, and other administrative policies and procedures to the objectives of the branch.

Work is typically governed by established policies, procedures, and organizational objectives that frequently leave room for discretion. Resolves all but unique problems without the intervention of higher level management. Regularly called upon to identify problem areas and to develop and recommend new policies and procedures for resolution.

Individual and organizational performance is typically reviewed periodically by higher level management, usually through status reports and organizational performance measures. Has discretion to ensure the alignment of projects/programs with the tactical (short-term) objectives of the major subdivision. Work activities typically impact directly on project/program objectives for more than one organizational unit and for the major subdivision. Work frequently affects the major subdivision's internal and external customers.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-J, FG/GS-14 level. This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE STATEMENT: 

  • Experience in applying policies, standards, and procedures to ensuring compliance with applicable public safety laws, regulations or other mandatory policies and guidelines, AND
  • Experience defining and resolving complex issues and problems affecting the regulation of commercial space transportation activities, AND
  • Experience in leading cross-organizational coordination to develop policies, agreements, or procedures for launch and reentry vehicle or site operations, or similarly complex operations, OR
  • Experience in leading reviews and coordination to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and related statutes, laws, policies and orders for launch and reentry vehicle or site operations, or similarly complex operations

You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered.

Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification.

*Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position.*

Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA.

**All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.**

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Leadership & Management Dimensions and/or Technical Requirements listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; or (3) alphabetical; or (4) priority grouping referred to the selecting official for selection consideration.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience. 

Preview job questionnaire

Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.

The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements

This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.

NOTES:

1. This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about Core Compensation is available at: https://www.faa.gov/jobs/working_here/benefits

2. As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each Managerial Selection Factor.

In lieu of providing a narrative response in the text box listed below each Managerial Selection Factor, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a human resource specialist as appropriate.

3. Unless previously completed, the incumbent must satisfactorily complete a 1-year probationary period to remain in this supervisory or managerial position.

4. Some, all, or none of the applicants may be interviewed.

5. This Level 2 (Non-Critical Sensitive; Secret) position requires favorable adjudication of an Access National Agency Check and Inquiries (ANACI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.

This is not a bargaining unit position.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

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.



IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

Federal Aviation Administration

At the FAA, the sky is not the limit—it is just the beginning. Exciting new opportunities are emerging in aviation and aerospace. Significant investments are advancing the research and development of autonomous vehicles, environmentally friendly electric aircraft, high-speed and long-endurance solar-powered aircraft, and new types of space vehicles. Success with these new technologies and vehicle types will introduce new ways to transport people and goods expanding aviation's footprint in transportation. People are our strength. We are a diverse workforce of over 44,000 located nationwide and spanning over 120 occupations to include air traffic control specialists, aviation safety inspectors, engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals. Join us in our mission to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.

Agency contact information

Jeneise Campbell
Phone
1 (202) 267-8871
Fax
1 (202) 267-7032
Email
jeneise.l.campbell@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
HQ Employment Services Branch
800 Independence Ave, SW, Room 523
AHF-110
Washington, DC 20591
US

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