Summary

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Mission Support in Washington, DC.

The CAO provides executive-level direction to and oversight of assigned administrative and agency support functions in direct support of all Agency organizations.

Duties

Help

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is responsible for a large portfolio and workforce, and for planning, directing and implementing the full scope of administrative business activities for FEMA. The CAO serves as the principal advisor to the Administrator, Deputy Administrator, and the Associate Administrator and Deputy Associate Administrator for Mission Support, on matters relating to Agency administrative and assistance activities, by providing input on policy issues relevant to FEMA; advising/participating in Agency-wide operations; and engaging in short and long-term planning for the Agency with administrative related activities.

The CAO is responsible for the oversight of the functional areas of occupational health, and deployment readiness; energy, environmental, and sustainability management; privacy, records, directives, and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) management, real and personal property management; facilities management and support services; mail management and related programs.

In addition, is tasked with providing services that drive organizational productivity, ensures resources are allocated efficiently, and maintains financial integrity and transparency so that FEMA can demonstrate high value to stakeholders, customers, and the taxpayer for every dollar spent.

Primary Duties

• Responsible for oversight and coordination of a full range of executive-level managerial responsibilities, to include establishing the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (OCAO) goals and plans, resource needs, allocations, and use; oversight of OCAO component efficacy and support processes; guiding development of organizational policy; coordinating OCAO support activities within and outside of FEMA; and assessing the organizational efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness of programs to customers.
• Provides direct executive leadership for major programs and projects with agency-wide impact. Provides executive leadership and direction for the following functions: property management; space planning; records management; safety; energy and sustainability; privacy; and other support services.
• Serves as the senior agency official responsible for implementation of laws, Executive Orders, regulations and similar directives for assigned program areas, including serving as Senior Real Property Officer under E.O. 133327 (real property asset management) and serving as the designated Senior Official responsible for E.O. 13423 (environment, energy and transportation).
• Speaks authoritatively in meetings with top FEMA officials, representatives of other government agencies, state and local officials, and other outside groups. Specifically represents FEMA in discussions and negotiations with General Services Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, other branches of Department of Defense, and numerous State officials regarding leased and leasing of property.
• Assures that adequate management controls are in place and effectively employed to prevent waste, fraud, mismanagement and abuse.
• Represents the Agency on various inter- and intra-agency groups and boards to coordinate policy, guidance, procedures and activities. Serves on the Undersecretary of Management's Readiness Support Council as the FEMA representative.
• Develops and defends positions on major issues arising within the office's areas of responsibility. Toward this end, achieves and maintains currency with FEMA programs; extant and proposed policies; planning issues; and responsible OCAO program areas.
• Assesses the impact of Presidential guidance, new legislative requirements, and similar external factors, and in acting to satisfy requirements and improve systems and operations to meet goals and objectives.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You may be required to undergo periodic drug testing.
• You must be able to obtain/maintain the required security clearance.
• Selectee will be required to complete form OGE-278, Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Form.
• You will serve a one-year probationary period unless you previously completed the probationary period in the SES.
• You must submit to a pre-employment drug test.

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. 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.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.

TQ 1: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of principal customer (e.g., operational program office) missions and OCAO support requirements; specifically, operational component/program office requirements and mission sets. Demonstrated ability to exercise authoritative and decisive leadership over and effectively manage a programmatically dynamic and complex organization.

TQ 2: Ability to communicate expertly, both orally and in writing. Ability to deal effectively on an interpersonal basis with high-level officials, both within and outside the government and knowledge of key regulations and laws with relevance to supported missions and mission support functions.

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 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs:

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 the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, you do not need to address the (5) ECQs in your resume. In lieu of, you MUST attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Education

There is no recognized education to qualify for this position; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation will be acceptable.

Additional information

This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position.

Veteran's Preference does not apply to the Senior Executive Service.

All candidates must be able to deploy with little or no advance notice to anywhere in the United States and its territories for an extended period of time. If selected, you will be subject to 24-hour on-call in the event of an emergency. In this event, this service may include duties other than those specified in the official position description. Selectee must be able to relocate to emergency sites with little advance notice and function under intense physical and mental stress.

Background Investigation: You must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation in order to obtain a Top-Secret w/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Drug Testing: You must submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.

Benefits

Help

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.

Review our 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.