Executive Director for Drones and Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Executive Director for Drones and Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Department: Department of Homeland Security

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $151661 - $228000 Per Year

Job Summary: The Executive Director for Drones and Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), DHS Headquarters, Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate, in the immediate Office of the Under Secretary for S&T.

Major Duties:

• The Executive Director for Drones and Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems provides high level advice and counsel on science and technology issues and critical matters pertaining to polices, priorities, and program direction of the Department and Directorate. Reviews and analyzes key emerging science and technology issues of direct and substantial interest and concern. Specific responsibilities include: Oversees the allocation and execution of resources to support DHS and other government agencies in monitoring drones and counter unmanned aircraft systems. Conducts comprehensive research and development on monitoring procedures for drones and CUAS to ensure compliance with established guidelines and participates in the formulation of departmental policies, directives, and procedures. Ensures these policies are consistent with legal requirements, administratively sound, efficient, and cost-effective. Provides oversight and expert guidance on drones, CUAS and related program areas, advising the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, and senior officials on issues impacting national security. Offers expert advice and input on monitoring procedures to ensure adherence to established guidelines, assessing legislative matters and their impact on departmental programs related to drones and CUAS. Provides recommendations on optimal approaches for equipping DHS components and other government agencies with requirements, capabilities, standards, systems analysis, systems engineering, technology readiness, and operational testing and evaluation. Advises senior officials on the development and planning of department-wide programs, ensuring continuity of operations and integrating drones and CUAS policies into business and government processes. Provides insights on emerging technologies such as 5G, augmented reality (AR), and computer vision, highlighting their potential to enhance drone communication, intelligence, and market growth. As drones and CUAS usage expands for personal and commercial purposes, refines and implements DHS rules and regulations based on government standards to address new security vulnerabilities and attack vectors introduced by drones and counter unmanned aircraft system. Develops policies and oversees compliance for drones and counter unmanned aircraft system based delivery applications, including the transportation of food, mail, and medicine, as companies experiment with these innovations. Manages advancements in drones and CUAS technology, including extended flight times, improved range through battery innovations, enhanced AI integrations, and the development of smaller, more capable drones and CUAS. Fosters formal relationships with senior officials in other executive departments regarding homeland security matters as it relates to drones and CUAS. Represents the Under Secretary and senior management in high-level meetings and conferences with private citizens, industry representatives, and federal, state, or local officials with vested interests in homeland security drones and CUAS. Prepares briefings for the Under Secretary and senior officials on critical issues and decisions, ensuring DHS positions as it pertains to drones and CUAS are effectively represented, and crosscutting issues are resolved promptly and efficiently.

Qualifications: 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 qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). A sample 2-pages resume that incorporates ECQs and TQs can be viewed on this link (indexed at page 16 - 17) Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ 1: Demonstrated extensive knowledge of drones and counter-unmanned aircraft systems (CUAS), as well as advanced management and organizational principles and practices. TQ 2: Demonstrated strong decision-making skills that deliver high-quality outcomes by leveraging technical expertise, analyzing complex problems, and assessing risks effectively. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Detailed information on each ECQs, the underlying and fundamental competencies, and informaton regarding the Structured Interview QRB (SIQRB) Process are available in the "Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board." Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES. Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES. Current or Former Political Appointees: OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the DHS Headquarters Executive Services team.

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date 01/28/2026 of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. DHS Headquarters Executive Services team will not modify or change any part of your application. Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact DHSHQSeniorExecutiveServicesTeam@hq.dhs.gov.

Application Deadline: 2026-01-28