The Chief Information Officer (CIO) serves as the senior executive responsible for providing strategic leadership, vision, and direction for all information technology, cybersecurity, and data operations at the National Endowment for the Humanities. The CIO oversees the agency's enterprise-wide information systems, ensures compliance with federal IT and acquisition requirements, advances modernization initiatives, and leads a diverse professional workforce in support of NEH's mission.
Major duties include:
Leading the design, development, integration, and implementation of enterprise-wide information systems that support agency programs and operations.
Providing executive leadership on current and emerging information technology and cybersecurity issues, ensuring alignment with federal standards and modern best practices.
Formulating and implementing major internal IT programs, policies, and governance structures to meet federal requirements and organizational priorities.
Overseeing IT acquisition strategies, resource management, and procurement activities in compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations and OMB guidance.
Representing the agency in interagency councils and working groups, fostering partnerships, and negotiating solutions that advance enterprise initiatives.
Serving as a key member of senior leadership and contributing to cross-organizational initiatives and special projects requiring coordinated technical and strategic action.
Supporting additional enterprise technology leadership roles, including serving as the agency's Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO) or Chief Data Officer (CDO), as needed.
You must meet all qualification requirements upon closing date of this announcement.
Favorable background investigation
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service
Public Financial Disclosure Report is required annually.
Qualifications
As a basic requirement for entry into the senior executive service (SES), applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible executive leadership and supervisory experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability. This experience should be sufficiently broad in scope and at a major management level in a large or complex organization. The ideal candidate will have experience supervising many employees through subordinate supervisors and have experience hiring, developing, and evaluating employees. Typically, experience of this nature is at the GS-15 or equivalent level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector.
Your application should demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully fulfill responsibilities inherent in SES positions such as:
Leading the work of an organizational unit
Ensuring the success of one or more specific major programs or projects
Monitoring progress toward strategic organizational goals, evaluating organizational performance and taking action to improve performance
Supervising the work of employees, developing policy and other executive functions
If your experience does not include these basic qualifications, you will not be determined qualified for this position.
Veterans' preference: Is not applicable to positions in the Senior Executive Service.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs) related to this position within your resume. RESUME MUSTNOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Narrative statements specifically addressing the ECQs and/or the TQs are not required but must be addressed within your two page resume. Applications received with resumes exceeding the 2-page limit will be disqualified and will not receive further consideration. 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. See Applicant Guidance on the Two-Page Resume Limit here.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy these technical qualifications.
TQ 1 - Enterprise Information Systems, Architecture, IT Modernization, Leadership
Demonstrated ability to lead the design, development, integration, and implementation of enterprise-wide information and technology systems for an organization with national scope; demonstrated experience advising senior executives and nontechnical stakeholders on IT and related matters.
TQ 2 - Cybersecurity, IT Policy, Continuity of Operations, and Risk Management Expertise
Experience implementing policies and operational solutions aligned to federal IT cybersecurity and privacy laws/regulations; leading risk management process; addressing emerging cyber security issues; and applying knowledge of new technological developments.
TQ 3 - Federal IT Acquisition, Governance, and Resource Management
Mastery of federal IT governance, budgetary and procurement processes, and acquisition requirements; oversight of IT investments, aligned with the agency's mission objectives and in compliance with FAR, OMB guidance, and federal government IT standards and requirements.
TQ 4 - Enterprise Information Technology for Grant Management and Records Management
Demonstrated leadership experience in the implementation of enterprise IT programs that support the federal grantmaking operations lifecycle, Grants.gov and automated grant processing, Interagency Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding, 2 C.F.R 200, NARA - Capstone, FOIA and Records Management requirements and procedures.
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 two-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. Review ECQ guidance in OPM Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board.
These are the five ECQs and their competencies:
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 Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.(Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, Civic-Mindedness).
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. (Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology).
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. (Competencies: Technical Skill, Problem Solving, Agility and Resilience).
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. (Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgement).
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. (Competencies: Operational Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking).
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, please attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.
A method to present demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs is to use the C - C - A - R model (Challenge / Context / Action / Results):
1. Challenge - Describe a specific problem or goal.
2. Context - Talk about the individuals and groups you worked with, and/or the environment in which you worked to tackle a particular challenge (e.g., clients, co-workers, members of Congress, shrinking budget, low morale).
3. Action - Discuss the specific actions you took to address a challenge.
4. Results - Give specific examples of the results of your actions. These accomplishments demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of your leadership skills.
Education
N/A
Additional information
1. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
2. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
3. This position required a 1-year probationary period for initial SES appointment.
4. Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) must be submitted to verify federal status.
5. Additional information on the Executive Core Qualifications is available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/executive-core-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.
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.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under the SES Merit Staffing Selection Procedures. We will review your resume and supporting documentation and compare this information to your responses to determine if you meet the qualifications for this position.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
All applicants must submit a two-page resume (not to exceed two-pages) which reflects demonstrated experience for each Executive Core Qualification (ECQ) and Technical Qualification (TQ). Failure to submit a two-page resume WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION. As a result, you will be rated as "INCOMPLETE". 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 ECQs and TQs listed above. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Applicants will be evaluated on the quality and extent of their total accomplishments, experience, the ECQs, and the TQs.
Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more structured 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/.
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.
A copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal (from either the Federal or private sector). Please remove your social security number.
A cover letter. (In your cover letter, please describe what appeals to you about the NEH's mission and how your skills and experience would make you an ideal candidate.
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.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/03/2026 to receive consideration.
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 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 the closing date.
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.
Only send documentation as requested/required by this announcement and that directly supports your qualifications for this position.
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.
National Endowment for the Humanities
400 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 20506
US
Next steps
You will receive an acknowledgment email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your rating and/or referral status. If you are selected for an interview you may be contacted by the ERB and/or selecting official.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
A copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal (from either the Federal or private sector). Please remove your social security number.
A cover letter. (In your cover letter, please describe what appeals to you about the NEH's mission and how your skills and experience would make you an ideal candidate.
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.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/03/2026 to receive consideration.
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 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 the closing date.
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.
Only send documentation as requested/required by this announcement and that directly supports your qualifications for this position.
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.
National Endowment for the Humanities
400 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 20506
US
Next steps
You will receive an acknowledgment email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your rating and/or referral status. If you are selected for an interview you may be contacted by the ERB and/or selecting official.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.