179 Day Developmental Assignment: Senior Test Operations Officer (NH-03/04), U.S. Army Testing and Evaluation Command (ATEC) Headquarters (HQ), G-3/5, APG, MD (HQ ATEC – REQ 61952)

Full TimeMD-ABERDEENHQ ATEC
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Eligibility Requirements

US Citizenship

Career Category

Engineer

Engineering Technician

IT/Computer Science

Math and Statistics

Program Analyst

Range Support

Sciences (Physical/Natural)

Other

Job Summary

This is a 179-day developmental assignment opportunity for an NH-03 or 04 (GS12 – 15 equivalent) DA Civilian ATEC employees to gain experience as a Senior Test Operations Officer in G-3/5 Safety Directorate, Test Integration and Modernization Division. NH-04 (GS 14 or 15 equivalents) preferred. Opportunity is open ATEC-wide. TDY to and from the employee’s parent organization to the host duty location, including per diem, will be funded by HQ ATEC up to $50K (DAWDA-funded).Start Date o/a 01 April 2024 or later.

 

Target Competencies: 1) Leading a team, 2) Project management, and 3) Communication skills for executive leadership (e.g. Commanding General). 

 

Duration: This is a developmental assignment for a period of up to 179 days. Start Date o/a 01 April 2024 or later. 

 

Eligibility: Current federal employees. Must have active Secret clearance. 
 

Area of Consideration: ATEC-Wide 

 

Funding: Salary and benefits will be the responsibility of the parent organization. Any overtime incurred due to developmental assignment is allowed, funded by the host organization, and must be coordinated between the host and parent organization supervisors in advance.

 

Work Schedule: The host organization will establish the duty hours. Alternate work schedules must be communicated and approved by both host and parent organization supervisors. 

 

Telework/Remote Work: Telework eligible IAW ATEC’s telework policy. (See Conditions of Employment for more details) 

 

Must be able to be on-site as needed. Mandatory on-site workday may be established after selection. 

 

TDY: The host organization will fund any TDY incurred during assignment and TDY to and from the employee’s parent organization to the duty location, including per diem. It will be DAWDA-funded. 

 

Resources: IT support and facility access will be provided by the host organization. 
 

Submission: This opportunity will require the submission of a resume and an endorsement letter from both the employee’s immediate Supervisor and Director. If you would like a template for the endorsement letter, please reach out to the contact indicated below.

 

For any questions, concerns, or requests for templates, please reach out to usarmy.apg.atec.mbx.atec-developmental-assignments@army.mil and reference the requisition number.

NOTES: Incomplete applications will not be considered. Candidates outside of ATEC will not be considered. 

Job Responsibilities

 

Duties for this position include but are not limited to the following: 

  • Serve as a Senior Test Operations Officer, performing a broad range of analyses for difficult-to-define, controversial, new or novel systems/functions of major agency. Also serve on working groups, boards, panels, and other ad hoc groups as required. Manages special projects and analysis that require comprehensive, accurate, timely, responsive, well-researched verbal and written information to senior leaders.
     
  • Review and provide input to draft requirement documents, system or performance specifications and statements of work, test plans and reports, and other acquisition and policy documents. Provides strategic direction for resolution of mission critical problems. Stimulates the development of new test policies, methodologies, and techniques to improve internal processes and capabilities.
     
  • Provide well researched mission analysis and coordinate ATEC support assignment, with the Subordinate Organizations (SOs) in a timely manner. 
     
  • Perform technical reviews of regulatory guidance and participates in the creation and update of test policies and test operating procedures. Staff and coordinate all T&E related actions from HQDA and DoD. Respond to Command-level Information Inquiries with corresponding Reports, EXSUMs, and Position Papers (e.g., VCSA, AAA, GAO).
     
  • Provide guidance, technical support and assistance to the SOs on all matters pertaining to test. Monitor progress of tests being conducted, and keeps superiors informed of general progress and controversial problems, but otherwise works independently in managing test programs. Ensure that data collected in tests conducted by contractors and other government agencies are adequate and used wherever possible to satisfy government developmental test requirements. Conduct continual review and analysis of all test activities on assigned programs to prevent unnecessary delays and to assess the quality of the testing programs.
     
  • Act as the Headquarters ATEC representative to potential customers, working to facilitate request for ATEC support. Provide technical support to the customer (e.g. RFTS, RFAS forms) and ensure information required for SO support is provided in a timely manner. Provide expert advice on the correct approach to problems encountered and on the need for more detailed investigation.
     
  • Perform staff functions in a command headquarters, component staff or equivalent major policy-making organization, conceiving, initiating, monitoring, and/or conducting major projects and studies of critical importance to agency decision-makers and missions. 
     
  • Participate in the HQ investment process (to include M&S) and supports justification of investments thru validation of upcoming test workload. Participate in the Science & Technology process (to include awareness of the technology map). 
     
  • Participate in the threat requirement process, as needed. Develop and support the Command's test management policies and practices by: preparing, analyzing, coordinating, and consolidating information for ATEC. 

Job Qualification

1. Candidate’s resume and recommendation letters will be reviewed by the selecting official. 

 

2. Testing experience is required. Training will be provided as needed on the job. 

 

3. No positive education requirements. (Engineering and ORSA preferred, but not required).

4. Candidates must possess a Secret clearance and ability to maintain during assignment.

5. Candidates must be able to participate SVTC meetings in person.

6. Candidates who have familiarity with ATEC’s mission preferred. 

7. NH-04 (GS 14 or 15 equivalents) preferred.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED. You will be evaluated based on your level of competency in the following areas:

Candidates will be evaluated based on their resume and recommendation letters from their immediate Supervisor and Director.

 

In addition to job qualifications, selections will be based on demonstration of:

-Strong oral and written communication skills 
-Problem solving and analytical skills
-Ability to work independently as well as on a team

Conditions of Employment

1. Candidates must possess a Secret clearance and ability to maintain during assignment. Candidates must be able to participate Secure Video Teleconference meetings in person.

 

2. ATEC employees must meet minimum eligibility requirements to apply for a developmental assignment according to the latest guidance published on ATEC 350-01, Chapter 9, Section III, Paragraph 9-6. External candidates must comply with their local policy’s eligibility requirements to apply for a developmental assignment. 

 

3. Candidates assigned to APG must be able to work on-site four to five days during a pay period in accordance with the latest ATEC telework policy.

 

Effective 8 APR 2024, required in-office workdays will be increased from two (2) days per pay period to four (4) days per pay period. These days should be discussed with the host organization supervisor prior to the start date. 

 

Effective 8 Sep 2024, the required in-office workdays will be increased from four (4) days per pay period to five (5) days per pay period. With this change, there will be a 2-day core day requirement for the entire HQ staff---meaning one workday of each week will be a core day for the entire HQ staff.  This core day will be determined prior to 8 Apr 24. 

 

4. Continued Service Agreement. Per AR 350-1, Army Civilians selected for non-Government training in excess of 40 hours, or Government training/developmental assignments in excess of 160 hours must sign a CSA in the Department of the Army before training begins. The period of service obligation will be equal to at least three times the length of the training period, at a minimum. Command or career program funding the training may require more time based on associated training costs. Calculation of the continued service obligation period will not include weekends or federal holidays. The obligation period begins on the first day following the completion of training or program of study. 

 

The calculator and agreement will be sent after the start and end dates have been finalized. This must be signed and returned to the S1/G1 proponent managing this action prior to the start date. A copy should also be provided to the selectee’s supervisor.