Department of Homeland Security

Operations Technical Director

Topeka, Kansas Full time

Operations Technical Director

Department: Department of Homeland Security

Location(s): Topeka, Kansas

Salary Range: $127829 - $166182 Per Year

Job Summary: This vacancy is for a GS - 0301 - 14, Operations Technical Director located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, PPC COMMAND STAFF in TOPEKA, Kansas.

Major Duties:

  • You will serve as an Operations Technical Director and be responsible for serving as a principal advisor to the Command on a wide range of complex program and technical issues. You will manage a division of approximately 125 personnel including pay and personnel technicians, and others. Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team. Typical work assignments include: Conducting program management planning and reviewing all internal and external focused business functions of the Pay and Personnel Center (PPC). Reviewing operations on a continuing basis in terms of overall effectiveness and efficiency; advising on the staffing, overall planning and establishment of procedures to improve existing and/or new PPC operations. Serving as a technical advisor to the Command on sound management policies and procedures for use within an assigned area of responsibility. Maintaining contact with Commandant and other Federal agencies for the purpose of exchanging current data concerning ongoing programs, to obtain and/or provide data concerning changes to existing programs, etc. Performing self-directed special assignments which may concern any phase of PPC operations and requiring research in analyzing, appraising and evaluating operational plans. Performing supervisory, administrative, and human resource management functions.

Qualifications: To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis. Managing a diverse organization/department. Establishing and managing workload based on priority. Broad thinking, analyzing trends and types of workflow changes. Planning for future events based on trend analysis. Developing solutions to known and perceived challenges. NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or related applicable assessment) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. NOTE: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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: Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a resume and any applicable and or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional information. We encourage you to apply online. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, any applicable assessments, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM eastern standard time on 01/20/2026. It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. If claiming eligibility under the VOW Act: The VOW Act requires Federal agencies to treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligibles, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD214. In order to be considered under the VOW Act, the certification must specify that the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package for this job announcement. The certification must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, character of service, military rank, type of discharge, and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by, or by direction of military members' military personnel offices, unit commanders or higher headquarters. Agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact Nakeesha Lawson at nakeesha.s.lawson@uscg.mil to obtain an alternative application. Delegated Examining GS-05 or above The vacancy questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions. This provides an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot.

Application Deadline: 2026-01-20