Summary

As the Director, Officer and Enlisted Personnel Management (OEPM), the incumbent serves as the principal staff advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Military Personnel Policy for all functional areas and responsibilities assigned to that directorate. The Director is responsible for the development of DoW policy affecting the lifecycle, from initial entry, retention, promotion, evaluation, career management, and separation.

Duties

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Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provides executive assistance to the ASW(M&RA) on matters referred by the Military Departments, major policy proposals referred for coordination to the OUSW (P&R) by other OSW offices, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as those from other government agencies or other sources, and action and information items referred by the Under Secretary.
• Develops policies, conducts analysis, provides advice, makes recommendations, and issues guidance on Department plans and programs, including coordinating activities relating to the ASW(M&RA) responsibilities in developing and managing military personnel capable of meeting national security objectives and will prepare such reports as required by Congress relating to officer and enlisted management programs and workforce planning issues.
• Designs major program and operating plans, establishes policies, sets goals and ensures the most effective application of available resources to achieve directorate goals. The incumbent is fully responsible for planning, formulating, developing, implementing, evaluating and reporting on the effectiveness of military personnel management related to laws, executive orders, directives, and policies pertaining to the responsibilities of Department of War (DoW).
• Initiates programs, actions, and taskings to ensure adherence to DoW policies and national security objectives; and ensures that programs are designed to accommodate operational requirements and promote readiness and efficiency of the forces.
• Reviews and evaluates programs for carrying out approved policies and standards; and reviews and evaluates recommendations concerning officer and enlisted personnel priorities. The incumbent participates in a primary role within OEPM in all planning, programming, and budgeting activities related to the Department responsibilities in the area of officer and enlisted personnel management.
• Promotes coordination, cooperation, and mutual understanding within the Department of War and between the Department and other Federal agencies and the civilian community. As directed, represents the Department of War with segments of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the Federal Government in matters pertaining to officer and enlisted personnel management.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.
• All newly appointed Career SES leaders must sign the Reassignment Rights Obligations Agreement as a condition of appointment into the SES.
• You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test before you can be appointed into this position. Designated and/or Random Drug Testing required.
• In order to qualify for this position, you must be able to obtain a Top Secret security clearance and access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).
• Submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 08/19/2026
• The individual selected will be required to file an 'Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
• You will serve a one-year probationary period unless you have previously completed the probationary period in the SES.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration).

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 be disqualified. Please see "Required Documents" section below for all resume formatting requirements.

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.

Do NOT submit a separate narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

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

TQ 1: Expert knowledge of and comprehensive experience with Military Personnel Policy systems and principles, with specific emphasis on the full range of officer and enlisted management matters, including an understanding of workforce planning processes and manpower management systems.

TQ 2: Ability to communicate clearly and work effectively with senior decision-makers and peers. Candidates must be able to build, leverage and lead collaborative networks to negotiate complex and often controversial issues with the Military Departments, the Joint Staff, War Agencies, Combatant Commands, the White House, and the Congress.

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.
  
  • Sub-Competencies:
    
    • Knowledge of the American System of Government: Demonstrates understanding and appreciation of the American system of government, including the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, separation of powers, federalism, and the historical development of the American Nation.
    • Commitment to the Rule of Law: Upholds the principles of the American Founding, including equality under the law and democratic self-government. Ensures the law is applied fairly and consistently.
    • Civic-Mindedness: Stays up-to-date on important developments in American government and aligns organizational objectives and practices with presidential and public interests. Demonstrates a 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.
  
  • Sub-Competencies:
    
    • Fiscal Responsibility: Strategically manages, allocates and monitors financial resources. Aligns priorities and initiatives to justify budget proposals. Monitors expenditures, cuts unnecessary costs, and uses cost-benefit analysis to set priorities.
    • Managing Resources: Manages resources efficiently and effectively based on current and projected organizational goals, skills, budget considerations, and staffing needs.
    • Leveraging Technology: Explores emerging technology and potential applications. Incorporates technology to enhance efficiency and achieve results. Ensures access to and security of technology systems.
• 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.
  
  • Sub-Competencies:
    
    • Technical Skill: Possesses the requisite technical knowledge and subject matter expertise to consistently produce timely, high-quality work. Is considered a strong contributor in his or her domain.
    • Problem Solving: Engages in critical and data-driven thinking when diagnosing root causes and evaluating options. Identifies and promptly addresses the most pressing, high-priority problems.
    • Agility and Resilience: Anticipates and adapts to change, new ideas, new information, and new conditions. Is committed to continuous improvement. Deals effectively with pressure and remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity.
• 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.
  
  • Sub-Competencies:
    
    • Accountability: Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, appraised, trained, and retained. Takes swift action to address performance- or conduct-based deficiencies in employees supervised. Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
    • Developing Others: Recognizes and rewards outstanding achievement in others. Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods. Cultivates a dynamic environment in which employees are not afraid to make mistakes.
    • Executive Judgement: Makes well-reasoned, timely, and effective decisions and considers short- and long-term implications. Communicates effectively with stakeholders across all organizational levels, sharing and guarding information where appropriate.
• 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.
  
  • Sub-Competencies:
    
    • Operational Mindset: Effectively translates strategies into actionable steps and processes. Partners effectively with stakeholders to drive adoption and addresses blockers to ensure successful implementation.
    • Innovation: Applies creativity to improving products and processes, challenges convention, takes measured risks, and considers ways to simplify and remove unnecessary requirements.
    • Strategic Thinking: Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization by evaluating conditions, resources, capabilities, constraints, and organizational goals and values.

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 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. See "Required Documents" section for additional information.

Additional information

DoD Joint Enterprise-Wide Experience Statement: In addition, DoD requires an Enterprise Perspective. This individual must have the ability to apply a broad point of view and an awareness and understanding of individual or organizational responsibilities in relation to DoD or government-wide strategic priorities is required. Executives must demonstrate ability to work with internal and external partners to support national security objectives. This perspective is typically gained through a variety of diverse work experiences. This information should be embedded within the resume.

Veterans preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service.

Applications MUST be submitted through USAJobs.

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.

Tiering: The Office of the Secretary of War structures its SES positions into tiers to determine the pay range for each position. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Department.

Submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 08/19/2026

Check your email closely following the closing of this vacancy on 08/19/2026, as the invitation link to complete the USA Hire Assessment should arrive within 7 calendar days of the close date. You will have a four (4) calendar day window to complete the assessment. Please check both your junk and spam email as the assessment will come from a no-reply email.

"ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTINUED IN BENEFITS SECTION"

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American r