Academies Program Officer
What you'd do
This position is located in the Office of Maritime Labor and Training. The Officer supervises staff in performing analysis for the State Academies Program (46 CFR Part 310). Responsibilities include managing federal financial aid to six State Maritime Academies (SMAs), directing budget execution, and overseeing the Student Incentive Payment (SIP) program and maritime service compliance.
Major duties
As the Academies Program Officer, you will: Supervise staff engaged in the execution and financial management of Federal Aid to six State Maritime Academies, ensuring compliance with 46 CFR Part 310. Direct and coordinate agency policies regarding budget preparation, administrative fiscal control, and the allocation of funds for training ship fuel and student incentives. Maintain strategic liaison with Academy Presidents, Congressional officials, the Department of the Navy, and the USCG to ensure program smooth administration and cadet compliance. Develop program alternatives responsive to national policy, performing cost analyses and drafting federal regulations or legislative amendments as required. Oversee compliance systems, specifically the Maritime Service Compliance System (MSCS), to monitor student service obligations and investigate potential breaches. The ideal candidate for this position has extensive experience in the commercial maritime sector with exposure to ocean carrier industry, in intermodal operations, project cargo, stevedoring, freight forwarding, vessel operations and customer relations as they relate to capabilities of U.S.-flag carriers.
What you need to qualify
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include: Experience administering federally regulated programs within a maritime or higher education environment, including interpreting and applying regulatory requirements under federal statutes and regulations (e.g., 46 CFR), developing policy guidance, and advising senior institutional leadership on compliance and program implementation. Experience managing federal financial assistance programs, including grants, cooperative agreements, or direct subsidy funding, with responsibility for budget formulation, fiscal oversight, allocation of funds, , and ensuring compliance with federal financial management regulations. Experience serving as a liaison and coordinating program activities with senior stakeholders across multiple organizations, including Department of Defense (Navy) officials, Congressional representatives or staff, and state-level executive offices, to resolve issues, communicate program requirements, and support mission objectives. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Program Management & Regulatory Oversight: Expert knowledge of 46 CFR Part 310 and statutory requirements for SMAs. Financial Management & Federal Assistance: Ability to manage Federal Aid, Grant/Cooperative Agreements, and SIP funds within fiscal controls. Compliance & Risk Management: Skill in identifying breaches of service obligations and maintaining compliance monitoring systems. Strategic Coordination & Liaison: Skill in representing an agency with high-level stakeholders and negotiating complex agreements. For all types of consideration, 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. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
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