Program SpecialistProgram Manager / Federal Protective Service (FPS) / DHS

Working with the Program Managers (PMs) and other agency personnel, the Program Specialist accomplishes project management related duties in the day-to-day management and process of each project and/or program such as the Mega Center, Management and Program Services, Financial Management, Information Technology, and Administrative Support, etc. Incumbent is responsible for managing the efficient and effective coordination and accomplishment of the planning, scoping, and direction of major projects within program areas. Serves as the point of contact for representatives of other agencies, managers and personnel impacted or affected by the administration and performance of applicable contract.Applies knowledge of management concepts, principles, methods, and practices. Responsible for management, control, development, coordination and execution of assigned programs and requirements for data/document management. Ensures individual project objectives, milestones, and budgets are accomplished within overall program objectives. Prepares and answers correspondence relevant to project/programs. Prepares fact sheets, issue papers, local policies and Scopes of Service (SOS), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and decision documents as necessary.

JOB LOCATIONS (6)

ABOUT THE JOB

Controls and manages program or project schedules, milestones, scopes, quality controls, risk, issues, communication management, and budgets from preliminary stages through design, development, operation and de-commission close-out, as needed. Monitors resources and interim milestones to ensure consistency with scheduled work and monitors and measures performance (earned value, metrics, and other project management performance methods) in order to assure commitments of all parties are maintained. Conducts assessments of documentation requirements for data/document management arid training. Coordinates and maintains all necessary training documentation in appropriate file. Prepares and presents formal and informal presentations pertaining to projects/programs in areas of responsibility to the PMs, mid- and senior- level management. Maintains constant liaison with counterparts at higher levels (regional, HQ) on policy and program issues as required. Works with regional and HQ personnel to develop and implement initiatives which effect organizational or procedural changes as a result of directives from higher headquarters, lessons learned and evaluations of current/existing processes.Assists management in the planning stages of organizational or procedural changes by advising on the logical relationships of duties, sources, availability, and full utilization of required skills in order to facilitate project and program development and meet management objectives. Through effective and efficient coordination, ensures team members are fully informed on changes and matters that affect the program.Coordinates and/or administers all phases of assigned contracts from inception to completion including identifying what is needed to accomplish program mission requirements. Develops and coordinates with program officials and contracting office contract-related Management Decision Documents, Contract Scopes of Work, Evaluation Plans, Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs), Technical Evaluation criteria and Quality Assurance Surveillance Plans, Market Research Reports and other procurement documents for acquisition programs. Evaluates contractor proposals and serves on source selection boards. On occasion, serves as the primary COR or alternate COR for assigned contracts. Working in conjunction with government and industry standards, updates specifications to applicable contract areas within the scope of responsibilities. Responsible for coordinating and conducting meetings between the Government Technical Representatives, Contracting Officer, or Legal Counsel in order to obtain guidance, and to resolve or clarify contracting legal issues. Participates in post-award conferences with winning contractors and Government technical representatives. Monitors contract costs and schedule and performance; prepares monthly contract summaries; reviews and approves contractor invoices; and inspects and accepts contract deliverables on behalf of the Government.Submits findings and recommendations to the Contracting Officer for review, acceptance, and signature. Serves as a technical expert in pre-solicitation meetings or discussions held concerning requirements for procedural and technical adequacy. Interprets contract specifications in daily interactions with contractors and other affected government representatives; provides advice regarding responsibilities to the Government, the consequences of failure to comply, and subsequent penalties that may occur. Evaluates performance against contractual requirements and ensures quality and administrative elements and terms are followed throughout the contract periods of performance. Confers with contractor personnel to urge correction of noted deficiencies. Ensures all information is retained for reference and reconciliation purposes. Guidelines used include the FAR, Field Manuals, contract specifications, and standard checklists for evaluating procedures and operations.Verifies and validates funding source which include review of work authorization in order to ensure description of services, funding needed, and period of performance match desired requirements. Provides description of the requirements, function, cost of the service and other information as part of a funded requisition to the FPS contracting group.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Controls and manages program or project schedules, milestones, scopes, quality controls, risk, issues, communication management, and budgets.
• Monitors resources and interim milestones to ensure consistency with scheduled work and measures performance to assure commitments are maintained.
• Coordinates and maintains all necessary training documentation and prepares and presents formal and informal presentations pertaining to projects/programs.
• Develops and coordinates with program officials and contracting office contract-related documents for acquisition programs.
• Evaluates contractor proposals, serves on source selection boards, and monitors contract costs and schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of management concepts, principles, methods, and practices.
• Ability to manage, control, develop, coordinate and execute assigned programs.
• Skills in data/document management and training documentation coordination.
• Experience in developing Management Decision Documents, Contract Scopes of Work, Evaluation Plans, and other procurement documents.
• Capability to interpret contract specifications and evaluate performance against contractual requirements.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY

Basic pre-employment investigative background check may be required.

BENEFITS

• Successful completion of this DHS unpaid internship will make the candidate competitive for possible full-time DHS employment.

OTHER

Successful completion of this DHS unpaid internship will make the candidate competitive for possible full-time DHS employment.