Skip to main content
U.S. flag
 

Program Manager

Department of Energy
National Nuclear Security Administration
Associate Administrator for Defense Nuclear Security (NA-70)

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Defense Nuclear Security, Office of Personnel and Facility Clearances and Classification/NA-74, Personnel Security Support Division [PSSD]. This position serves as the Team Lead of the Personnel Security Support Division [PSSD], a critical role responsible for leading and managing a large-scale, complex national security program within the NNSA.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 07/02/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 2, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$149,550 - $194,417 per year
Pay scale & grade
NQ 4
Promotion potential
4
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Q Access Authorization
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
26-NA-70-XA-00689-NNSA
Control number
874344400

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

Current NNSA employees with competitive status.

Duties

Help

As a Program Manager [Team Lead] , you will:

  • Lead the Personnel Security Support Division (PSSD) by developing and implementing strategic plans and setting goals and priorities that align with national security directives.
  • Oversee large support service contracts to ensure contractors meet performance, cost, schedule, and quality requirements for vetting and clearance processes for approximately 120,000 employees. It also includes ensuring the PSSD's daily operations comply with federal and agency security regulations
  • Manage the office budget, providing input to the Future Year Nuclear Security Program planning, ensuring budget plans align with NNSA and DOE goals and objectives, NA-74 contractors have necessary resources, and overseeing Contracting Officer's Representatives for NA-74 contracts.
  • Ensure the NA-70 budget planning staff has necessary data to support NA-70 program budgets. Provide expertise for self-assessments, quality of work products [both contractor and Federal] and assesses the health of the vetting program. Provide leadership to develop and build automation to support vetting operations and field sites.
  • Interpret broad federal and NNSA policies to develop specific guidelines and procedures for the PSSD. Represent the NNSA and PSSD in high-level discussions with other federal agencies, stakeholders, and senior leadership on personnel security matters. Report program performance, budget status, and provides high-level recommendations to senior NNSA leadership.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Subject to Random Drug Testing
  • Must pass a pre-employment drug test.
  • Favorable suitability determination required.
  • Financial Disclosure is required.
  • Must be able to obtain/maintain a Q level Security Clearance.
  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
  • Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity which will require that you provide two forms of identification.
  • May be required to successfully complete a one (1) year probationary period. Employees serving on a probationary period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
  • Please limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, you will be disqualified.
Probationary periods are required for new employees appointed to competitive service positions for the first time; or reinstated employees who return to Federal service after a break in service of 30-days or more and who have not completed a probationary period will need to complete the requirement.

Qualifications

Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the NQ-03 (GS-14 equivalent) grade level in the Federal service, or equivalent experience outside the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to:

  • Provide strategic leadership and direction for complex, high-impact programs: Experience in developing and implementing strategic plans, establishing program goals and objectives, and setting priorities for a large-scale, critical program within a high-stakes or national security-related environment, often by effectively leading and integrating the contributions of specialized staff and subject matter experts. This includes ensuring alignment with organizational mission and directives.
  • Manage and oversee significant contracts and operations: Experience in managing and ensuring compliance of support service contracts or operational activities, including directing and leveraging staff expertise for evaluating contractor or team performance against cost, schedule, and quality requirements. This involves ensuring day-to-day operational compliance with relevant regulations, policies, and protocols.
  • Perform comprehensive program management and assessments: Experience or knowledge in oversight of program budgets, including understanding formulation, justification, and execution processes to identify potential risks or discrepancies (e.g., inadequate planning, contractor mismanagement). This includes providing leadership and oversight for self-assessments, quality reviews of internal and external work products, and assessing the overall health of complex programs. This also includes experience in guiding the identification and implementation of automation or innovative solutions for operational improvements.
  • Develop policy and engage with external stakeholders: Experience in interpreting broad-governing policies (e.g., federal, agency, or corporate) and translating them into actionable guidelines and procedures, often by directing specialized staff in the development process. This includes representing the organization in discussions and negotiations with other agencies, stakeholders, or senior leadership, and effectively communicating program performance and recommendations to influence critical decisions.
  • Supervise and manage a diverse workforce: Experience exercising full supervisory and managerial authority, including establishing organizational structures, developing performance standards, evaluating performance, and making critical decisions that impact program goals and milestones. This includes the ability to effectively guide, mentor, and leverage the expertise of a diverse team, including Subject Matter Experts, without necessarily being a recognized subject matter expert in every area.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section. If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the definition of "well qualified" which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

No positive education requirement.

Additional information

  • Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
  • More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
  • All positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
  • All males born after December 31,1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
  • In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
EEO Policy: Click HERE.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Click HERE.
Veterans Information: Click HERE.
Telework: Click HERE.
Selective Service Registration: Click HERE.

Information about the NNSA Demonstration project can be found by clicking HERE.

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.

THE APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS WILL BE IN TWO STAGES:

Minimum Qualifications:
Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Office will review the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications.

Structured Resume Review: The Human Resources Office/ Subject Matter Experts will review the first two pages of your resume to determine your technical qualifications.

Additional documentation (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) may not be considered.

A quality review will then be conducted by the HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME). Your application is rated based on the extent and quality of your experience, education (if applicable to the job), and training described in your online resume/questionnaire as related to the duties of this position. The quality categories are usually defined as "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified" and "Qualified". Veterans Preference eligible candidates will be listed at the top of whichever category your score places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher.

Your application and resume shall demonstrate that you possess the following Competencies. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the Competencies identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application.

  • Contracting/Procurement
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Project Management
  • Strategic Thinking


If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified'.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the link below.
https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12989451

National Nuclear Security Administration

Would you like to have a job that can ensure national security by providing support to the nation's nuclear and stockpile stewardship activities? If so, then apply to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Personnel and Facility Clearances and Classification (NA-74), Personnel Security Support Division (NA-743). In the position you play an important role in accomplishing the national security mission of the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.

Agency contact information

Latrice Ginwright
Email
latrice.ginwright@nnsa.doe.gov
Address
NNSA - Chief and Associate Administrator for Defense Nuclear Security
24600 20th St SE
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5507
US

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.