Program Management

GS-0340

Position Overview

DOI depends on Program and Project Managers to oversee and direct projects and programs that serve the public and support responsibilities that include:

  • Promote energy security and minerals development;
  • Increase access to outdoor recreation opportunities;
  • Enhance conservation stewardship;
  • Improve the management of wildlife and habitats; and
  • Maintain important relationships with Indian tribes, Alaska Natives, and insular areas.

Whether managing a single, short-term project or a program of national scope, these expert coordinators help DOI meet its multi-faceted mission.

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Bureau of Reclamation
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
National Park Service
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Geological Survey

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate is a superior problem solver, planner, decision-maker and collaborator with excellent program/project management skills, political savvy, external awareness and business acumen.

Work Environment

Work is typically performed in an office setting.

Minimum Education Requirements

Please see the Administrative and Management Group Qualification Standard on the OPM website.

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Journey:

    • Developing detailed plans, tasks, milestone dates and schedules to track and manage processes and costs throughout a project’s life cycle
    • Coordinating and collaborating with others to monitor, maintain and report on status and progress of work; Establishing program objectives and metrics
    • Making recommendations and acting when necessary to address problems or adjust to changing external factors or forces
    • Drafting guidance and direction regarding program management and reporting
    • Planing and Initiating a comprehensive evaluation system for the review and analysis of proposed costs, program development, and performance

  • Senior:

    • Establishing a culture of diversity, inclusion, equity, and engagement in the workplace; Empowering first line managers to take decisive and well-thought out actions
    • Managing a district or regional office or a complex national program or initiative; Acquiring and managing the fiscal and human capital resources necessary for program or project success
    • Monitoring and responding to legislative, political, social and economic trends; Delivering briefings and testimonies, and coordinate effectively with national level groups, Congress, high level state officials
    • Directing long range planning activities that include multi-year work plans covering multiple programs
    • Contributing to policy and decision making, recommending management actions and alternatives to meet operational, political, programmatic, administrative, and other goals

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Strengths by Level

Journey 12
Senior 14-15
  • Accountability
    Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
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    Journey 12
    Senior 14-15
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
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    Journey 12
    Senior 14-15
  • Customer Service
    Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
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    Journey 12
    Senior 14-15
  • Decision Making
    Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
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    Journey 12
    Senior 14-15
  • External Awareness
    Identifies and understands economic, political, and social trends that affect the organization.
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    Journey 12
    Senior 14-15
  • Interpersonal Skills
    Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
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    Journey 12
    Senior 14-15
  • Oral Communication
    Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
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    Journey 12
    Senior 14-15
  • Organizational Awareness
    Knows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization.
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    Journey 12
    Senior 14-15
  • Problem Solving
    Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
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    Journey 12
    Senior 14-15
  • Project Management
    Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance.
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    Journey 12
    Senior 14-15
  • Reasoning
    Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
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    Journey 12
    Senior 14-15
  • Resilience
    Deals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Recovers quickly from setbacks.
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    Journey 12
    Senior 14-15
  • Teamwork
    Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
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    Journey 12
    Senior 14-15
  • Writing
    Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
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    Journey 12
    Senior 14-15

Common Pathways

Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...

31.9%

Miscellaneous Administration and Program

See Position Details
12.4%

Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences

See Position Details
5.3%

Park Ranger

See Position Details
Less Common Pathways (<2%)

Where We Are

DOI employs people at more than 2,400 locations across the United States and territories. Use the Position Locator tool to see where current DOI employees work. To check for job opportunities, scroll down and click "See jobs on USAjobs.gov."