Job Information
Defense Threat Reduction Agency STRATEGIC TRENDS RESEARCH MANAGER in Fort Belvoir, Virginia
Summary This position is part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Responsibilities Incumbent is the manager of the Strategic Trends Research Initiative (STRI), a research portfolio focused on sponsorships of international dialogues, strategic studies, and table top exercises. The goal of the research is to gather insights and recommendations on future weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and emerging threat challenges that could be faced by the Department of Defense, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the interagency the CWMD community, and our allies/partners. As a STRATEGIC TRENDS RESEARCH MANAGER at the GS-0301-13/14 some of your typical work assignments may include: Promotes professional development of the staff to ensure they are keeping up with strategic trends, key challenges, and future threat concepts. Guides team through solicitation, reviews, and approvals of research white papers and proposals. Develops research strategies and plans to achieve goals and objectives. Develops prioritization and sequencing for contracted projects and ensures the portfolio continues to address priority defense and WMD topics, fills gaps/seams in DoD, DTRA, and CWMD community's knowledge, and adjusts to changes in financial circumstances. Builds the portfolio focusing on year-after-year improvements to achieve best possible outcomes, and adjusts portfolio as needed to address crisis and contingency topics. Provides expertise and direction on meeting/event agendas, participation lists, work plans, and schedules. Develops budgets, spend plans, and forecasts for the portfolio and works closely with leadership on all financial matters related to research. Works closely with contracting specialists, contracting officers (KO), and financial specialists to ensure timely and accurate contracting processes are complete and legal. Anticipates and advocates for new processes, new equipment/resources, and changes in the research portfolio as necessary to achieve mission. Acts as the primary interface for external performers and practitioners. Conducts kickoffs, midpoint or in progress reviews, and other meetings during the course of the projects. Prepares and delivers informal and formal remarks to U.S. and international audiences as necessary during funded research events. Receives the final briefs (and all work products) of all projects ensuring that appropriate members of the DTRA team are present and afforded time to ask questions. Works closely with external performers to coordinate with other parts of the U.S. Government including, but not limited to, OSD (Policy), Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Department of State, and Department of Energy. Ensures integration across the portfolio to build upon success and ensure the community is well positioned to understand the future WMD challenges and can act together on mitigation or elimination of future threats. Develops annual report to Agency senior leadership to inform strategic resourcing/budget requests, strategy development, and planning guidance. Develops other timely reports and information papers/briefs as necessary to ensure the workforce and the CWMD community are well informed. Ensures internal integration occurs through sharing and promotion of research findings and recommendations with other branches, divisions, departments, and directorates. Shares and contributes to other complementary efforts within other U.S. Government entities including military services and other Departments (i.e. DoE). Conducts timely and frequent outreach to the CWMD community, including allies/partners, to ensure that products are available to the community (when appropriately cleared for release). Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service: Expert knowledge, skill, and ability in organizing and conducting CWMD-focused research; Expert knowledge of strategic analysis using classified and unclassified information in order to provide complete assessments of potential future trends affecting the development and use of WMD, and other emerging technologies; Experience presenting follow-on deliverables such as analytical reports, occasional papers, vignettes/scenarios, executive summaries, and executive briefings to senior leadership and government officials; Experience contributing to the developing of budgets, spend plans, and forecasts for a program portfolio, and; Experience assisting with the design, hosting, or coordinating of in-person workshops, conferences, dialogues, tabletop exercises or symposiums. You may qualify at the GS-14, if you fulfill the following qualifications: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service: Expert knowledge, skill, and ability in organizing, managing, and facilitating CWMD-focused research; Expert knowledge of strategic analysis using classified and unclassified information in order to provide complete assessments of potential future trends affecting the development and use of WMD, and other emerging technologies; Experience developing, authoring, and presenting follow-on deliverables such as analytical reports, occasional papers, vignettes/scenarios, executive summaries, and executive briefings to senior leadership and government officials; Experience developing budgets, spend plans, and forecasts for a program portfolio and working closely with leadership on all financial matters related to research, and; Experience leading the design, hosting, or coordinating of in-person workshops, conferences, dialogues, tabletop exercises or symposiums. 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). 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. Education Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level. Additional Information Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs: This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements: Persons with Disabilities - Schedule A Special Hiring Authority for Veterans Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses Other Special Appointment Authorities - Subpart F Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/register/) The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews, and once the selection is made, you will receive a notification of the decision. NOTE: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a declination for further consideration for employment against this vacancy. Selective Service Requirement: Please visit http://www.sss.gov for more information. For more information, please visit https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d Re-employed Annuitant: This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).