Program Manager (Branch Chief)

Customs and Border Protection

$149K — $194K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of relevant experience in a supervisory role
  • Expertise in leading business transformation and strategic initiatives
  • Skill in project monitoring and progress reporting
  • Ability to supervise and mentor project teams
  • Experience in developing performance goals and standards
  • Proven ability in decision-making for employee qualifications and promotions
  • Strong technical and administrative oversight capabilities

Responsibilities

  • Lead agency-wide business transformation initiatives
  • Monitor and report on project progress regularly
  • Supervise project execution and collaborate with analysts
  • Establish employee performance standards and goals
  • Advise employees on performance requirements and progress
  • Ensure fair recommendations on employee qualifications and promotions
  • Develop procedures and techniques for staff guidance

Benefits

  • Comprehensive federal benefits package
  • Access to employer-sponsored health insurance options
  • Retirement savings plans with employer contributions
  • Generous paid leave and vacation policies
  • Opportunities for professional development and training
Full Job Description
Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Finance, Programming and Investment Analysis Directorate, Indianapolis, IN.

Additional selections may be made to include other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Duties

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This supervisory position that is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Finance (OF), Investment Analysis Office (IAO), Strategic Business Transformation Branch.

Typical Duties Include:

  • Leading agency-wide business transformation and strategic initiatives
  • Monitoring projects and reporting regularly on progress; developing feedback/research materials based on best practices
  • Supervising project execution; collaborating with analysts to develop plans for efforts; and interpreting and summarizing insights to stakeholders.
  • Establishing standards and preparing performance goals for employees.
  • Advising employees of the performance requirements of their positions and keeps them informed of their progress in meeting the requirements.
  • Ensuring equality when making recommendations related to qualifications, selections, assignments, training, promotions, details, discipline, and awards.
  • Developing and prescribing procedures, techniques and furnished policy guidance to staff.
  • Directing high-level priorities and reviewing approved work based on fulfillment of assignment objectives.
  • Providing technical and administrative oversight by directing, coordinating, and managing the work of a team of government analysts and/or subject matter experts.


This position starts at a salary of $149,323.00 (GS-15, Step 1) to $194,122.00 (GS-15, Step 10) with promotion potential to $194,122 (GS-15 Step 10).

GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position.Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
  • Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
  • All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
  • You may be required to pass a background investigation


This vacancy has a local commuting area requirement, as defined below:

  • The area surrounding the duty station by which people reasonably travel back and forth from home to work; Or
  • The employee's permanent duty station is located within the reasonable travel area surrounding the duty station of this vacancy; Or if applicable
  • For employees who are detailed or temporarily promoted for more than 1 year to another duty location, the detailed or temporary duty location is considered to be the duty location of record for commuting area purposes. For employees detailed or temporarily promoted for less than one year, the permanent duty location is considered the duty location of record for commuting area purposes.


Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

provide full technical, managerial, and administrative guidance for employees, ensuring the efforts to accomplish the CBP financial mission objectives and comply with established policies and legislative guidance.

  • Resolving disputes concerning program priorities and direction.
  • Evaluating reports and reviewing the performance evaluations of other employees made by the direct reports.
  • Resolving grievances and employee complaints and making decisions on work-related issues presented by subordinates.
  • Leading, managing, and directing a professional staff


NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

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.

You must:

  • Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
  • Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 07/13/2026.


The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

  • Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
  • A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
  • Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
  • Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government


Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

Additional information

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

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.

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.

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.

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