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ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Department of Defense
Warfighting Acquisition University

Summary

Purpose of the Position: Serves as the Supervisory Associate Director, Human Capital Initiatives (HCI), WarU, providing executive leadership and strategic oversight for Department-wide acquisition workforce human capital programs, policies, and workforce development initiatives. Leads efforts to enhance workforce readiness, talent management, and organizational effectiveness while ensuring alignment with statutory requirements, Department priorities, and mission objectives.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 07/28/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 28, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$143,913 - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
NH 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
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
WarU-26-13004318-EB
Control number
876234500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent DoW Federal Civilian Employees in the competitive service, eligible Priority Placement Program DoW Military Spouse Preference applicants, and eligible PPP applicants. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) eligibles in the local commuting area. Also open to all veterans who are eligible for competitive appointment under Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA).

Duties

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  • Serves as the principal deputy to the Director, HCI, providing executive-level leadership, oversight, and direction for the development and implementation of DoW-wide acquisition workforce human capital strategies, policies, and programs to ensure the Department attracts, develops, and retains a highly qualified, agile workforce capable of meeting current and future mission requirements. Serves as the Acting Director, HCI in the Director's absence.
  • Exercises full supervisory authority over a multidisciplinary staff, including planning and assigning work, setting priorities, resolving resource conflicts, and ensuring continuity of operations during periods of high operational tempo or organizational change. Fosters an accountable, high-performing organization aligned to Department priorities.
  • Leads the integration and execution of acquisition workforce programs across the Department, translating Congressional, OSW, and OUSW(A&S) direction into actionable policy and program outcomes. Ensures consistent, Department-wide implementation of workforce initiatives, aligning Components, Functional Areas, and stakeholders to a unified acquisition workforce strategy.
  • Directs enterprise-level strategic planning efforts to drive continuous improvement in workforce capability, capacity, and readiness. Identifies and implements talent management transformation initiatives to strengthen workforce quality, balance, and long-term sustainability.
  • Oversees complex, cross-functional initiatives, ensuring alignment with Departmental priorities, delivery of measurable outcomes, and accountability for results across Services, Fourth Estate, and functional communities.
  • Provides authoritative analysis and advisory support on legislation and policy, assessing the impact of new and proposed federal statutes, regulations, and guidance on the acquisition workforce. Leads development of legislative proposals, oversees implementation of statutory requirements, and engages with Congressional stakeholders and staff on workforce-related matters.
  • Directs collaboration with Functional Area Leaders, Directors of Acquisition Career Management/Director of Acquisition Talent Management, Services, and Fourth Estate organizations to shape career field frameworks and life cycle workforce management strategies. Ensures alignment of education, training, experience, and assignment pathways with mission needs and statutory requirements.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guidance, please go to http://www.sss.gov for more information
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoW Priority Placement Program
  • Incumbent may be required to obtain and maintain an appropriate security clearance.
  • You may be required to serve a one (1) year probationary period.
  • The incumbent of this position may be required to work overtime, irregular shifts, and/or on the weekend.
  • Work may require travel away from the normal duty station on commercial aircraft.
  • Incumbent must obtain certification as a DoW Acquisition Program Manager Practitioner. Certification must be obtained within 5 years of entry of duty, as specified in DoW Instruction 5000.66.

Qualifications

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS: General education and/or experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for Administrative and Management positions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower broadband level, NH-03, comparable to GS-13 or equivalent in other personnel pay systems. Relevant experience includes:

  1. Experience developing or implementing acquisition workforce legislative proposals or statutory requirements.
  2. Experience briefing senior executives, Congressional staff, GAO, or other external oversight organizations.
  3. Experience leading workforce transformation, talent management modernization, or strategic workforce planning initiatives affecting a large, geographically dispersed workforce.
  4. Experience managing acquisition workforce programs involving education, training, certification, career field management, or workforce readiness.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Education is not substitutable for specialized experience for this grade level.

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY
? If the position you are applying for has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with your application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

The intent is to use AcqDemo Direct Hiring Authority to fill this position.

Warfighting Acquisition University requires reporting to the assigned duty location during each pay period. The University supports telework as determined by agency policy, but remote work and full-time telework are not offered.


This position is in the Competitive Service. For more information regarding Competitive Service employment please visit:
https://www.usajobs.gov/help/working-in-government/service/
WarU participates in e-Verify with the Department of Homeland Security and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

If selected for this position, you must be able to start employment within 30 days of acceptance (unless otherwise approved by WarU).

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Temporary and Term Appointments: If you are selected for a temporary or term position in the competitive service, your appointment may be extended to the maximum period allowed by law without further competition

If applicable, AcqDemo Expanded Probationary Period for Supervisors and Managers: An additional supervisory probationary period of one year may be required when an employee is officially assigned to a different supervisory position that constitutes a major change in supervisory responsibilities from any previously held supervisory position, (e.g., moving from a journeyman level supervisory acquisition position to a Critical Acquisition Position or moving from a Critical Acquisition Position to a Key Leadership Position).

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): You must be well qualified for the position to receive special selection priority under the ICTAP. A qualified ICTAP eligible achieving a score of 90 or above will be considered well qualified. You must submit a Separation-Reduction in Force (RIF) SF-50; a RIF Notice showing separation within the past year (or declining a management directed reassignment outside the commuting area, or a Termination of Disability Notice from OPM) and most recent performance appraisal. For more information, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: Military Spouse Preference applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected at the full performance level and placed at the full performance level. You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

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.

Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy. Your application (resume and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed on the announcement under qualification requirements. Errors or omissions may affect your consideration for employment.

Veterans' preference eligibility is treated as a positive factor when making a selection from external sources. It is applied when the organization makes a final selection from the candidates with substantially equal qualifications as described in the Best Meets Mission Requirements definition below. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package.

Best Meets Mission Requirements definition: Applicant has the knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies to substantially exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. This equates to the best qualified assessment criteria established for the vacancy and based on overall demonstrated experience, education, training, appraisals/evaluations, job-related awards, certifications, honors and relevant outside activities.

Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.ssc-cc@mail.mil

Warfighting Acquisition University

Join WarU and be a part of a world-class Department of War organization committed to training and supporting Warfighting acquisition professionals. In addition to training courses, WarU offers a variety of learning events and experiences, provides tools and resources to help on the job, conducts direct assistance to organizations, and offers access to an entire community of practitioners, experts and policy makers. WarU promotes a culture of lifelong learning both for faculty and staff and for the members of the Warfighting Acquisition Workforce they serve. Join our dynamic team and help give our military the competitive advantage they need.

This position is under the DoW Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project (AcqDemo) within Title 5 Competitive Service.For more information on Acq Demo please go to the DoW AcqDemo website at https://acqdemo.hci.mil/ and Fact Sheet at https://acqdemo.hci.mil/faq.html

Agency contact information

HR Customer Care Center
Phone
(317) 212-0454
Email
dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.dfasmeritcc@mail.mil
Address
Warfighting Acquisition University
9820 Belvoir Road
Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Warfighting Acquisition University, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.waru.edu/

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