Deputy Director Operations

Summary

The Department of the Interior is seeking highly qualified candidates for the Senior Executive Service (SES) position of Deputy Director, Operations, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, located in Washington, D.C. The Department classifies SES positions by category to establish minimum pay levels. This position is designated as Category 1, with a minimum annual salary of $207,060 Veterans' preference does not apply to positions in the Senior Executive Service (SES).

Duties

As the Deputy Director of Operations, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), you will lead Service-wide operations, establish strategic and operational priorities in coordination with the Director, and oversee their implementation to advance the Service's national conservation mission and achieve organizational results. Major Duties: Direct the day-to-day operations of the FWS Regional Offices, establishing priorities, coordinating activities across organizational boundaries, resolving significant operational issues, and ensuring consistent implementation of national policies. Advise the Director on organizational management, operational effectiveness, and resource requirements; evaluate organizational structures and management practices; and direct or recommend improvements to enhance efficiency, accountability, performance, and internal controls. Oversee implementation of Departmental and Administration policies, priorities, and management initiatives, ensuring compliance with applicable statutory, regulatory, and Departmental requirements. Align and oversee fiscal, human, organizational, information, and other resources with Service priorities; evaluate performance and major programs and investments; identify operational challenges; and direct or recommend corrective actions. Review significant Service-wide policy, management, operational, and program recommendations; consider relevant scientific, legal, fiscal, economic, and administrative factors; and approve actions within delegated authority or provide recommendations to the Director and other approving officials. Represent the Director and FWS in engagements with Congress, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of the Interior, other Federal agencies, and interagency forums to advance Service priorities, negotiate solutions, and resolve significant program and operational issues. Exercise the Director's authority, consistent with applicable delegations, during the Director's absence to ensure continuity of executive leadership and operational oversight.

Qualifications

Educational Requirement Basic requirement, applicants MUST have: A. Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, or at least 30 semester hours in courses, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education; OR C. Experience: Four years of experience that demonstrated that the applicant acquired knowledge and understanding of one or more of the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or related disciplines equivalent to that which would have been acquired through completion of a 4-year course of study as described in A above. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, 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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. To meet the minimum qualifications, you must submit a two-page resume (max) that shows you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and two Technical Qualifications (TQs). To be considered, only the first 2 pages of your resume will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Technical Qualifications (TQs) are designed to assess an applicant's experience relevant to the specific position requirements. Your resume should clearly demonstrate your experience and accomplishments related to the two TQs below: TQ 1- National Fish and Wildlife and Natural Resource Program Leadership Executive-level experience leading, directing, or integrating complex natural resource, conservation, or other science-based programs involving multiple organizational components, competing program priorities, and significant governmental and external stakeholder interests. TQ 2- Strategic Organizational, Resource, and Operational Management Executive-level experience developing and implementing organization-wide strategies, policies, and operational improvements for a large, geographically dispersed natural-resource organization, including evaluating program performance, aligning fiscal and human resources with mission priorities, and advising leadership on significant conservation and operational decisions. Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). Your two-page resume should also show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications listed below. Your resume should clearly demonstrate your experience and accomplishments related to the ECQs. By statute, the Office of Personnel Management prescribes Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) for the appointment of career SES members. The ECQs were designed to assess executive experience and not technical expertise. ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. Sub-Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, Civic-Mindedness ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. Sub-Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology ECQ 3: Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. Sub-Competencies: Technical Skill, Problem Solving, Agility, and Resilience. ECQ 4: Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. Sub-Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgement ECQ 5: Achieving Results: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Sub-Competencies: Operational Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking In addition to meeting the basic requirement and demonstrating the required ECQs and TQs, candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Government, supporting the principles of the American republic, and upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Already SES Certified? If you are currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the Senior Executive Service, or have completed a Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program (SES CDP) approved by OPM, you only need to submit a two-page resume and personnel action showing you have held a career SES position. SES CDP graduates must submit a two-page resume and a copy of their CDP program certification with their package.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combinati