Summary

This position is located in the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) at the Economic Development Administration (EDA) at the Department of Commerce. EDA's investment policy is designed to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and the building of durable regional economies throughout the United States. This foundation is built upon two key economic drivers - innovation and regional collaboration.

Duties

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OIE oversees a portfolio of programs aimed at supporting technologies critical to the nation's national and economic security, the entrepreneurs that build the products and companies of the future, and the workforce needed to respond to business needs.

As Director, Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, he/she proactively manages the efforts of OIE staff to ensure Department and EDA priorities are comprehensively incorporated into EDA programming through nationwide competitions, including programming related to entrepreneurship, technology advancement, workforce development, national security, and economic competitiveness.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Directs, coordinates, and monitors technical and financial assistance programs within the Economic Development Administration related to entrepreneurship, technology advancement, workforce development, national security, and economic competitiveness. Further, the incumbent is responsible for directing a large group of technical and administrative personnel engaged in analyzing, evaluating, and acting on proposals or activities associated with economic development.
• Represents the Economic Development Administration in establishing and maintaining effective relations with other Federal agencies and national organizations concerned with coordinated policies and programs for economic development and, when designated, serves as the Department of Commerce member on interagency committees related to economic development.
• Stimulates interest of state, local, nonprofit, and other eligible organizations in preparing and carrying out economic development programs for specified priorities and purposes. Establishes guidelines as to the nature, scope, context, and format of any overall economic development plan submitted for approval. Reviews, evaluates, and acts upon requests for approval of overall economic development plans.
• Appears before professional, civic, and other groups to expand favorable relations with the public by discussing EDA's programs, policies, and appropriations. Works with various information media for the same purpose.
• Develops and implements strategies to meet program goals and objectives upon which the office will concentrate its efforts and appropriately allocate its portion of EDA's resources during the fiscal year.
• Counsels, advises, and collaborates with top agency officials on policy matters and major considerations in developing, implementing, and coordinating all economic development efforts as they interrelate in addressing national, regional, and subregional strategies. Advises the Assistant Secretary on special problems as they relate to national initiatives and programs and as they impact major constituents or their key representatives.
• Works with the Office of Grants Management (OGM) to design and implement grant programs that comply with all Federal, Departmental, and EDA requirements. Maintains familiarity with legal, regulatory, and policy requirements for grant administration and promotes awareness and compliance with all OIE staff.
• Develops and maintains program guidance, policies, directives, and operating procedures to improve, standardize, or streamline the administration of EDA's various assistance programs, as well as to effectively implement OMB, U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), or OIG recommendations and/or Presidential or Secretarial directives, policies, or initiatives.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national.

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 Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES.

Resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed and will be considered ineligible. Your resume should be 2 pages or fewer and must not include images, graphics, or hyperlinks (including publications and/or social media). Your resumes 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.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs).

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

1. Knowledge of economic development principles, concepts, strategies, trends, processes and/or programs, relating to innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce programming, including an ability to identify emergent trends in the field, lead teams to develop programming approaches to these trends, and the ability to coordinate with organizations and institutions such as local, state, and Federal officials to attain program goals and agency priorities.
2. Experience in designing, implementing, and overseeing Federal programs related to entrepreneurship, technology advancement, workforce development, national security, and economic competitiveness, including familiarity with the statutory, legal, and policy requirements for the administration of Federal grant programs.

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.

• 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: Applicants who are current or former members of the SES, have SES reinstatement eligibility, or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP) should submit supporting documentation (e.g., SF-50 or OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certification) reflecting their eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Education

This position does not have a positive education requirement.

Additional information

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

Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

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Benefits

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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.

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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.