Program Manager (Associate Director)
What you'd do
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Enterprise Services, Administrative Services Division, located in either Washington DC or Indianapolis, IN.
Major duties
This position is a Program Manager within DHS, specifically supporting CBP's Enterprise Services. The role advises senior leadership on human capital policies and strategies, manages complex human capital programs, ensures compliance with laws and regulations, and serves as a liaison with other agencies and unions on sensitive human capital issues. This position starts at a salary of $147,945.00 (GS-15, Step 1) to $192,331.00 (GS-15, Step 10). Major duties include: Formulating comprehensive human capital policies and procedures to ensure alignment with national priorities, statutory requirements, and OPM guidance across CBP. Leading the development, implementation, and oversight of agency-wide human capital strategies, including workforce transformation, talent acquisition, and analytics integration. Managing multiple interconnected human capital programs, setting performance goals, allocating resources, and monitoring progress to optimize operational effectiveness. Engaging with high-level stakeholders, including DHS officials, federal agencies, and national unions, to represent CBP interests, conduct negotiations, and deliver briefings on critical human capital issues. Supervising and mentoring subordinate staff, establishing performance expectations, fostering continuous improvement, and resolving complex personnel issues.
What you need to qualify
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: Designing and implementing human capital strategies or programs that address workforce transformation, talent acquisition, or analytics integration for a large organization. Coordinating the development, review, or update of human capital policies and procedures to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and agency guidance. Facilitating cross-organizational teams or initiatives to resolve complex human capital issues, achieve consensus among stakeholders, or implement integrated solutions. Advising senior leadership on sensitive human capital matters, including organizational restructuring, workforce planning, or the impact of new legislation or regulations. Evaluating the effectiveness of human capital programs by conducting analytical studies, risk assessments, or audits, and recommending corrective actions to improve program outcomes. 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 07/20/2026. 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.
Before you apply
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