Defense Threat Reduction Agency

PROGRAM MANAGER (STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH)

Defense Threat Reduction Agency$110K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of specialized experience in communication or strategic outreach
  • Expertise in developing strategic messaging frameworks
  • Skilled in public speaking and presenting to high-level stakeholders
  • Strong grasp of national security policy and its communication needs
  • Experience managing complex communication campaigns in a government or defense context

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the Senior Communications Advisor for strategic initiatives
  • Develop and oversee department-level messaging frameworks
  • Establish communication channels with federal agencies and DTRA components
  • Align outreach with chemical and biological defense S&T programs
  • Manage and expand global biodefense collaboration networks
  • Author executive briefings and strategic communication reports
  • Integrate scientific methods into multi-domain outreach campaigns

Benefits

  • Access to a comprehensive federal employee benefits package
  • Opportunity for telework flexibility
  • Inflation adjustment on pay rates
  • Focus on career development with continuous learning opportunities
  • Subject to recruitment incentives based on hiring manager's approval
  • Availability of flexible work schedule
  • Enhanced job security and pension from federal employment
Full Job Description
Summary

This position is part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Duties

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As a PROGRAM MANAGER (STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH) at the GS-0340-14 some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Senior Communications Advisor: Serves as the principal Strategic Communications and Engagements Advisor to Department leadership, directing the design, implementation, and management of a comprehensive, department-level strategic communications program.
  • Department-Level Messaging: Develops and governs Department-level strategic messaging frameworks and oversees the creation, review, and public presentation of all Department media and outreach materials to ensure brand and mission alignment.
  • Interagency Liaison & Alignment: Establishes and maintains critical communication channels and liaison relationships across DTRA, DoW components, and federal government agencies to synchronize and apprise stakeholders of the DoW's physical CBD S&T programs.
  • Acquisition-Aligned Outreach: Leverages acquisition program management principles, business acumen, and national security expertise to align strategic outreach efforts with the identification, development, and delivery of chemical and biological defense S&T capabilities.
  • Global Partnership & Collaboration: Manages and expands global biodefense collaboration networks, fostering domestic and international strategic partnerships within the CB community to streamline the transition of emerging S&T efforts into operational DoW capabilities.
  • Executive Guidance & Reporting: Routinely authors and delivers authoritative written and verbal guidance, executive briefings, and strategic communication reports for S&T Managers and senior Department leadership to drive decision-making.
  • Multi-Domain Campaign Integration: Integrates scientific methods and strategic communication tools to design, execute, and monitor multi-domain outreach campaigns that demonstrate the value, progress, and national security impact of the Department's scientific portfolio


Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Occasional Travel
  • Work Schedule: Full-time
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: Subject to approval by the hiring manager
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Not Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance.
  • Must consent to and pass pre-employment drug testing and be subject to periodic random drug testing thereafter.
  • This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Program Management functional area. The incumbent will be required to become certified in the Practitioner tier within 5 years.
  • The incumbent is required to acquire a minimum of 40 continuous learning points (CLPs) every fiscal year as a goal and 80 CLPs being mandatory within 2 years
  • Travel 20% CONUS/OCONUS
  • Valid Passport required.


Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS 14 , if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. For the GS-14 grade level, one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service, military or private sector:

  • Designing publicity campaigns, managing technical area messaging, and advising leadership on communication funding and publicity strategies
  • Translating scientific, technical, and chemical/biological defense (CBD) concepts into, compelling, and compliant written and verbal narratives tailored for S&T managers, DoD leadership, and international partners
  • Synthesizing high-level agency goals to align communication plans with national security policy, drafting critical executive-level briefings, POM statements, and budget justifications
  • Managing U.S. and International CBD organizational structures to build productive interpersonal relationships, coordinate joint communication efforts, and facilitate collaborative research agreements
  • Utilizing qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods to measure the effectiveness of communication campaigns, ensuring outreach materials strictly comply with operational, environmental, and diplomatic security protocols.


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

Other Notes:

ACQUISITION POSITION: This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Program Management functional area. The incumbent will be required to become certified in the Practitioner tier within 5 years. The incumbent is required to acquire a minimum of 40 continuous learning points (CLPs) every fiscal year as a goal and 80 CLPs being mandatory within 2 years.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements: Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses

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

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Who Needs to Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov))

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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.

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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.

About Defense Threat Reduction Agency

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is an agency of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) and is headquartered in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The agency is responsible for countering weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and reducing the threat posed by WMD to the United States and its allies. DTRA provides research, development, testing, and evaluation services to the DoD and other government agencies. The agency was established in 1998 and has since played a key role in the U.S. government's efforts to prevent the proliferation of WMD.
Learn more about Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Size
2,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1998

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