Deputy Director, International Operations

Office of the Secretary of the Interior • Washington, DC

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Deputy Director, International Operations serves in the Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of the Secretary (OS), Office of International Affairs (INT), in Reston, Virginia, or Washington, D.C. The role provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for international programs, agreements, budgets, staff, and related systems. It is a supervisory position and may require completion of a supervisory probationary period.

This Merit Promotion announcement is limited to current career and career-conditional DOI employees in the Office of the Secretary and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) eligibles. The position requires at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service; education cannot substitute for experience. The position is suitable for telework with supervisor approval. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered on a case-by-case basis, and a continued service agreement may be required in certain circumstances.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment is subject to a background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must participate in Direct Deposit and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Pre-employment and random drug testing are required; a verified positive drug test precludes appointment.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period; continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Must meet applicable Time-in-Grade requirements for competitive candidates.
• Must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience must include all of the following: developing strategic plans for international programs and overseeing international travel policies; developing policy memoranda for senior officials on emerging international issues; leading agreement management for international partnerships; and coordinating international program financial management for budget planning, execution, and regulatory compliance.
• Applicants must document hours worked per week as specified in the announcement; current Federal employees may need to provide a non-award SF-50 if their resume does not include hours per week.
• Education cannot be substituted for the required experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for international operations by developing multi-year strategies, annual operating plans, and Departmental positions on international operational issues.
• Ensure compliance with ethics, travel, procurement, information security, and data-sharing requirements; establish internal controls and conduct periodic reviews to maintain audit readiness and mitigate operational risk.
• Oversee systems for international travel, agreements, financial management, and related processes to ensure accuracy, accountability, and efficiency.
• Supervise multidisciplinary staff; set priorities, evaluate performance, and manage recruitment, staffing, onboarding, and workforce planning for domestic and overseas operational needs.
• Formulate and manage multi-year budgets and annual funding requests; oversee budget execution, conduct cost-benefit analyses, and prepare briefing materials and justifications for senior leadership, OMB, and Congress.
• Develop, negotiate, and manage international agreements, including MOUs, IAAs, and cooperative agreements, throughout their lifecycle and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Monitor agreement performance and financial obligations, lead corrective actions as needed, and provide expert guidance on agreement authorities and statutory requirements.
• Represent the Department in interagency forums and policy discussions, and advise senior leadership on operational issues, risks, and emerging priorities affecting international programs.
• Direct cooperative agreements and grants administration for international initiatives, ensuring compliance with DOI regulations, reporting standards, and performance monitoring requirements.

Benefits

• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available to eligible employees; benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered on a case-by-case basis, but is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed