Program Manager (Assistant Director)

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Trade, Trade Regulatory Audit (TRA), located in Washington, DC.

Duties

As a Program Manager you will provide authoritative leadership and ensure consistency and alignment with executive guidance and strategic imperatives. This position starts at a salary of $143,913.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $187,093.00 (GS-14, Step 10). CBP Office of Trade is the architect of the most robust customs system in the world and the second largest revenue source for the U.S. Government. We facilitate legitimate trade, enforce U.S. laws, and protect the American economy as well as consumer health and safety. Collaborating with industry and government partners, we create a fair, competitive, and safe trade environment, and we enforce U.S. trade law to protect national economic security. Our expertise in the trade community allows us to lead the development of streamlined and efficient processes that provide certainty for legitimate importers, while combatting transnational crime. Major duties for this position include but are not limited to: Managing and directing all operations and facilities related to a specific or several program areas within Office of Trade (OT) Supporting directorate leadership by planning, evaluating, integrating and coordinating initiatives within OT Overseeing program areas, creative and measurable solutions in their programs' issue areas and is accountable for program performance and reporting performance measurement to OT senior leaders, to CBP senior leaders and to DHS. Managing staff, utilize standard program management processes and tools, develop technology-use strategies to streamline and coordinate program activities, and be able to coordinate and interpret quantitative analysis to measure program performance in order to implement new program strategies Maintaining a thorough knowledge of federal government, DHS and CBP rules and regulations that are applicable to their assigned OT program area.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Overseeing the planning, directing, and timely execution of programs that include but are not limited to budget, training, travel, and contracts by setting measurable milestones, coordinating requirements, monitoring deliverables, and aligning program activities with organizational priorities. Planning and leading projects, providing recommendations for process improvements on current and long-range plans pertaining to managerial and administrative procedures, operations programs, and financial management by analyzing requirements, assessing gaps, developing alternatives, and presenting actionable recommendations to leadership. Developing and implementing program strategies, performance measures, and program goals by defining achievable objectives, establishing tracking methods, evaluating progress, and supporting alignment with mission requirements. Coordinating with senior leaders, program offices, DHS components, contractors, and external stakeholders to improve end-to-end processes throughout the Program Office by facilitating meetings, gathering input, resolving issues, and maintaining communication across participating organizations. Managing multiple program segments assigning resources, tracking milestones, reviewing, and advising on operating procedures by prioritizing work, monitoring schedules, assessing resource needs, and recommending adjustments to support program execution. 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 10/06/2026. 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.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.