WE ARE THE NRO

For sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America’s advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet.

Learn more at NRO.gov.

Basic Eligibility For A Position With The NRO

• You must be a U.S. Citizen
• You must be 18 years of age or older
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
• You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing
• You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations

Federal Employee Vaccination Requirement

To ensure compliance with nationwide COVID-19 vaccine protocols, please visit NRO Apply Now to review the latest guidance.

Where You Will Work

This position serves as the Mission Compliance Group (MCG) Deputy Chief/Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), in NRO’s Office of Policy and Strategy (OP&S). OP&S reports directly to the Director, NRO (DNRO) and is accountable for successfully shaping and driving internal NRO, national, Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC), civil space, commercial, and international policies and strategies related to overhead reconnaissance, all in support of the over-arching goal of forging an NRO policy and strategy foundation that enables NRO leadership and personnel to accomplish their mission and objectives. OP&S is also responsible for managing NRO mission compliance consistent with relevant DoD and Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) policies and directives, while ensuring that effective enterprise-level governance is developed and implemented across the NRO. In performing these functions, OP&S works with a broad range of NRO and interagency partners on overhead-related policy and strategy issues, foreign relations and international cooperation activities, and civil and commercial space-related issues in order to build and maintain strategic relationships and efforts that allow the DNRO to affect agendas, guide thinking, and influence outcomes.

Within this broader mission context, OP&S/MCG leads, executes, and strengthens the NRO’s Mission Compliance Program (MCP). The Director of OP&S (D/OP&S) serves as the NRO’s Chief Mission Compliance Officer (CMCO) and both the Principal Deputy Director (PDD/OP&S) and the Deputy Director (DD/OP&S) serve as NRO Deputy MCOs (DMCO). MCG is the focal point for ensuring that the NRO conducts all mission and mission-related activities in accordance with applicable Executive Orders (E.O.s), laws, and appropriate IC and DoD directives, policies, and procedures. MCG ensures NRO awareness of mission compliance policies, responsibilities, and authorities by undertaking outreach activities, instituting policies and standards, and developing and maintaining training. MCG monitors and assesses activities for compliance and responds to reported, suspected, and/or potential compliance violations. In performing these functions, MCG works with a broad range of NRO, IC, DoD, and interagency partners on mission compliance-related policy and strategy issues.

The MCG Deputy Chief/SIGINT reports to the MCG Chief, who is responsible for leading, executing, and strengthening the NRO’s MCP on behalf of D/OP&S. Under the guidance and direction of the MCG Chief, the MCG Deputy Chief/SIGINT has the responsibility to develop, implement, and sustain SIGINT Mission Compliance-related policies and procedures that are consistent with applicable E.O.s, laws, and appropriate IC, DoD directives, policies, and procedures. The MCG Deputy Chief/SIGINT has a pivotal role enabling the NRO mission by streamlining SIGINT Mission Compliance-related processes and procedures. The MCG Deputy Chief/SIGINT ensures that the relevant SIGINT portion of the MCP is synchronized with the appropriate National Security Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and Defense Intelligence Agency Compliance elements. The MCG Deputy Chief/SIGINT identifies opportunities, addresses risks, represents the NRO, and builds effective NRO, IC, and DoD partnerships in the Mission Compliance realm. In performing this function, the MCG Deputy Chief/SIGINT will assist with leading and managing a globally distributed team consisting of government and contract personnel.

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for Senior Level (GG-14/GG-15), Compliance Program Manager, occupational series 0340. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here.

Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.

This is a full-time position that is open from December 08, 2022 to December 22, 2022. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on December 22, 2022.

Who May Apply

• This position is open to the public.
• Federal government employees MUST currently be at the grade level or higher as indicated in this announcement. This is NOT a promotion opportunity for current Federal government employees. If selected for the position, Federal government employees will transition laterally at their current grade level and step.
• Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.
• The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.

What You Will Be Doing

The MCG Deputy Chief/SIGINT will perform the following major duties and activities:

• Leads and manages the establishment and implementation of the relevant SIGINT portion of MCG program activities and initiatives in concert with broader NRO, IC, and DoD priorities and activities, while fostering cooperation and communication across agencies and departments.
• Leads the formulation and documentation of SIGINT Mission Compliance-related policies and strategies across the NRO enterprise and with IC, DoD, and other partners.
• Coordinates proposed changes to SIGINT Mission Compliance policies and procedures with NRO stakeholders and Mission Partners to ensure that proposals align with the NRO mission, goals, and objectives.
• Leads, or as appropriate, mediates and assists in the resolution of SIGINT Mission Compliance policy issues, disputes, and findings.
• Executes expert-level support to OP&S SLT and the MCG Group Chief on SIGINT Mission Compliance-related policy and procedural issues, activities, and programs that affect the NRO and its mission partners and stakeholders.
• Facilitates synchronization, integration, and effective coordination of SIGINT Mission Compliance-related activities with IC and DoD mission partners, as well as with other government agencies, stakeholders, and related parties, as appropriate.
• Facilitates the coordination and de-confliction of competing requirements and priorities of multiple stakeholders to identify an effective and coherent path forward for MCG, OP&S, and broader NRO initiatives in this arena.
• Provides expert-level policy and strategy analysis and advice to support senior NRO, IC, and DoD leader deliberations and decisions regarding commercial, civil, and national security space and cyber policies, regulatory issues, and agreements as they may relate to international cooperation to ensure that NRO equities and foreign partnerships are considered and/or protected.
• Leads the development and presentation of SIGINT Mission Compliance-related briefings and reports for NRO, IC, DoD, and Congressional senior leadership and officials.
• Represents the NRO in SIGINT Mission Compliance-related interagency working groups and studies.
• Promotes information sharing and knowledge management of SIGINT Mission Compliance-related activities within the NRO, across the IC and DoD, and with other government agencies, mission partners, and stakeholders.
• Maintains situational awareness and keep NRO leadership informed of significant SIGINT Mission Compliance issues and activities across the spectrum of the IC, DoD, U.S. industry, and foreign partner realm.
• Leads special projects that span the breadth of NRO and OP&S activities and priorities, as needed.
• Assists the MCG Chief with leading a globally distributed MCP team consisting of government and contract personnel professionals.
• Assists the MCG Chief with leading, managing, overseeing, and supervising the performance and activities of government personnel assigned to MCG and proactively addresses any conduct or performance issues.
• Leads and oversees the performance and activities of contractor personnel assigned to MCG and proactively addresses any conduct or performance issues through the appropriate contract management authority.

Acts as the MCG Chief, as requested/directed, when the MCG Chief is unavailable. In coordination with the MCG Deputy Chief/GEOINT, the MCG Deputy Chief/SIGINT is also responsible for assisting the MCG Chief in the day-to-day management and oversight of MCG activities, including review of all substantive products, daily task prioritization and quality control, government personnel management, and advising the MCG Chief on all matters of OP&S concern. The incumbent makes decisions on work problems presented by subordinates and oversees their work. Based on MCG Chief guidance, the MCG Deputy Chief/SIGINT plans work to be performed by subordinates based on priorities, difficulty of work to be performed, and capabilities of employees. Evaluates the performance of subordinate team members. Advises, counsels, or instructs employees on both substantive and administrative matters. Administers an overall training plan for team members. Participates in the selection of candidates for subordinate positions taking into consideration skills and qualifications, mission requirements, and EEO and diversity objectives. Identifies employee developmental needs and provides or arranges for training (formal and on-the-job) to maintain or enhance job performance. Encourages self-development. Prepares reports and maintains records of work accomplishments and administrative information, as required. Maintains project files, and program and administrative materials. In coordination with the MCG Deputy Chief/GEOINT, coordinates annual leave schedules for staff members; ensures peak workload times are accommodated. Resolves informal and formal complaints of employees. Recommends selections, promotions, and awards to the MCG Chief. Performs other duties as assigned.

What You Need

• Experience and demonstrated skill leading, managing, and overseeing government and/or contractor personnel.
• Experience working with the DoD/IC and other stakeholder communities and demonstrated ability to maintain/utilize a professional network across these communities to capture and leverage best practices.
• Experience managing, leading, and orchestrating complex initiatives and programs involving multiple organizations and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the IC mission and organization, with desired emphasis in policies and strategies relevant to protection of U.S. Person privacy.
• Knowledge of the DoD mission and organization, with desired emphasis in policies and strategies relevant to protection of U.S. Person privacy.
• Knowledge of (or capacity to quickly learn and apply) applicable laws, E.O.s, directives, regulations, and guidance related to intelligence and intelligence-related activities, intelligence oversight and privacy.
• Superior analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to think strategically, identify needs and requirements, develop recommendations, and evaluate outcomes against goals and objectives.
• Expert ability to analyze and interpret the impact, implication, and applicability of regulations, guidelines, laws, and directives.
• Expert ability to identify and use principles, rules, and relationships to construct arguments or interpret facts, data, or other information.
• Expert ability to dissect problems into meaningful parts and use logic and judgement to determine accuracy and relevance of data as well as ability in identifying and reconciling gaps, uncertainties, and key assumptions of data.
• Expert ability to integrate evidence/information, evaluate and prioritize alternatives, understand implications, and assess similarities and differences in data to develop findings or conclusions.
• Expert organizational and interpersonal skills to facilitate diverse forums, manage competing priorities, mediate contentious policy disputes, advocate new ideas/concepts/processes, and negotiate mutually acceptable solutions.
• Superior ability to exercise independent judgement on time-sensitive issues.
• Excellent oral communication skills, with demonstrated skill and experience communicating effectively with audiences of varying seniority and expertise.
• Excellent written communication skills, with demonstrated skill and experience communicating effectively with audiences of varying seniority and expertise.

Desired Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience directly supporting NRO, IC, or DoD intelligence-related activities.
• Experience and current knowledge across the spectrum of NRO mission programs and capabilities.
• Knowledge of the SIGINT intelligence discipline, and the capacity to quickly expand that knowledge base.
• 5+ years of experience directly supporting NRO, IC or DoD intelligence-related activities.
• 3+ years of experience and current knowledge across the spectrum of NRO mission programs and capabilities.
• 3+ years of progressively responsible experience in the full range of intelligence-related program/project management with emphasis on requirements generation, program planning and execution, test and evaluation, operations, to include team and/or project leadership.
• Experience supporting IC, DoD, or NRO intelligence-related policy and strategy functions or equivalent.
• Experience developing, analyzing, and implementing E.O.s, laws, and IC and DoD policies and procedures related to intelligence oversight and compliance.

Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform and is typically in or directly related to the duties of the position as described above. Experience must be reflected in your resume.

Other Information

• Overtime Statement: MAY be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Travel Statement: MAY be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
• Financial Disclosure: MAY be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
• Geographic Mobility Agreement: MAY be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness, and/or career development.
• Information Assurance (IA): Must achieve the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment.
• Emergency Essential: Certain positions MAY be deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements.

Location

Chantilly, VA

Salary

2022 salary range for the Washington, DC area:

GG-14: $126,233 - $164,102

GG-15: $148,484 – $176,300

**This position is a Senior level DCIPS position. The NRO is accepting applications from U.S. Citizens and current federal government employees for this position. To qualify for the position, federal government employees MUST currently be at the GG-14 or GG-15 grade level and may ONLY apply for a lateral reassignment at their current grade level and step. Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.

Hiring Incentives

The NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at management’s discretion.

Trial Period

All new DCIPS employees will be required to serve a 2-year trial period.

Veterans’ Preference

DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans’ Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Vol 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans’ preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC, you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:

• An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please send your request to Hiring@nro.mil.

Privacy Act Notice

Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

Read more about the Privacy Act of 1974

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