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Program Manager (Chief of Operations)

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Operations Division

Summary

About the Position: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is recruiting for Chief of Operations Division Chiefs across the enterprise to serve as Regional or District senior leaders. The Chief of Operations is responsible to the Commander for the operation and maintenance of assigned projects and programs.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/02/2025 to 12/16/2025
Salary
$146,481 to - $195,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Little Rock, AR
Los Angeles, CA
Jacksonville, FL
Chicago, IL
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CEDE-26-12842534 - MP
Control number
851330400

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Duties

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  • Plan, coordinate, and direct short- and long-range work programs for operations and maintenance missions.
  • Perform strategic planning for the overall Operations program, including restructuring initiatives.
  • Formulate and recommend policies, procedures, and regulations governing district operational activities.
  • Provide program quality assurance and advice to Senior Leaders and Commanders.
  • Exercise command and control for Operations and Maintenance, Environmental Compliance, and Regulatory programs (where applicable).
  • Oversee and manage operation and maintenance of multi-purpose facilities and associated infrastructure, which may include hydropower plants, lock and dams, navigation facilities, maritime operations, levee systems, and ports, recreation facilities, habitat management units and water management activities.
  • Ensure environmental protection in all operations, including recreation and maintenance programs.
  • Represent the district or division in coordination with external partners and stakeholders.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Some duty locations may require that a Secret security clearance must be obtained and maintained as required for this position.
  • Participation in the Mandatory Drug Testing Program may be required, as this is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) in accordance with USACE policy.
  • The position may require business travel (Temporary Duty, TDY) up to 25% of the time.
  • The position requires a valid state issued driver’s license.
  • This position is emergency essential (E-E). In the event of a crisis situation, the incumbent, or designated alternate, must continue to perform the E-E duties until relieved by proper authority.
  • The incumbent or the designated alternate may be required to take part in readiness exercises.
  • Position cannot be vacated during a national emergency or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the organization to function effectively.
  • The position is designated "key," which requires the incumbent, or designated alternate, to be screened from military recall status.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998


In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) Providing programmatic oversight of the operations of civil works projects such as flood risk management, hydropower production, inland and/or coastal navigation, maritime operations, regulatory, natural resources management, water supply, recreation, environmental stewardship, and emergency management; 2) Developing and establishing policies to facilitate implementation of program initiatives; 3) Managing the implementation of program strategies to ensure successful outcomes; 4) Developing and managing program budgets, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and efficiently; and 5) Coordinating, developing, and providing authoritative interpretations of civil works policy and regulations. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-14).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:
  • Budget Administration
  • Leadership
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Program Management
  • Project Management


Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-14).

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year probationary period may be required.
  • One year supervisory probationary period may be required.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) or a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a Science, Engineering and Analysis Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • Advanced-in-Hire, Enhanced Leave Accrual, Student Loan Repayment, and/or Recruitment/Relocation incentive MAY be authorized if determined to be in the best interest of the government.
  • Cincinnati, OH duty location includes any location within Lakes and Rivers District (LRD) Headquarters. If located outside Cincinnati, incumbent to work (in person) from Cincinnati (LRD HQ) office 2-3 days/week based on mission requirements. LRD District locations include: Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; Louisville, KY; Nashville, TN; Buffalo, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; and Huntington, WV.

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 announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

As part of the assessment process, you will complete a competency-based Situational Judgment Test (SJT). This test presents realistic job-related scenarios and evaluates your judgment and decision-making in alignment with the core competencies required for the position.

You may claim Military Spouse preference.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

The selecting official has requested a competitive and non-competitive candidate list for this vacancy. If you are eligible for the non-competitive list, you will be evaluated on basic and/or minimum qualifications, as applicable. While required to answer the assessment questions, non-competitive candidates will not be evaluated against the competitive rating and ranking criteria. The selecting official may select from any of the candidate lists.

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