Deputy Suitability Director

Deputy Suitability Director

Department: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

Location(s): Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Salary Range: $152963 - $197200 Per Year

Job Summary: As the Deputy Director of Suitability Executive Agent Programs (SuitEA) you will serve as the principal advisor to the Suitability Director on government-wide personnel vetting policy, operations, and performance. You will oversee suitability programs that affect Executive Branch agencies nationwide, guide strategic planning and modernization initiatives, and provide executive-level leadership to ensure effective oversight of delegated vetting authorities.

Major Duties:

• Serves as principal advisor to the Suitability Director on suitability operations, adjudications, policies, and regulatory requirements. Oversees government-wide personnel vetting performance, including oversight of delegated functions and compliance with Executive Agent policy. Leads strategic planning, program evaluation, and process improvement initiatives to support modernization of suitability and vetting operations. Provides senior-level guidance to program managers and supervisors on program priorities, operational execution, and resource use. Establishes and maintains working relationships with senior officials across OPM and other Federal agencies to coordinate policy and program activities. Represents OPM in interagency forums, working groups, and meetings involving suitability and personnel vetting issues. Supervises and evaluates subordinate managers and staff, including making selections, approving training, addressing performance issues, and resolving employee relations matters.

Qualifications: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service (or equivalent) that includes all of the following: Managing or overseeing personnel suitability, credentialing, or vetting programs with government-wide or multi-organizational impact. Developing, interpreting, or implementing policies or procedures related to personnel vetting, adjudications, or background investigation programs. Providing executive-level advice or recommendations to senior leaders on program performance, compliance, or strategic direction. Leading or supervising managers or professional staff responsible for program operations, evaluations, or oversight activities. Applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-14 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-15 level. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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.

How to Apply: Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: 1. Click the Apply Online button. 2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. 3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. 4. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. 5. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. 6. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. 7. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. 8. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. For more general information, system requirements, reasonable accommodation information, and to request assistance regarding the USA Hire Assessments, review the following resources: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_Assessments To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

Application Deadline: 2026-01-20