Office Director

Summary

The Office Director for the Office of Consular Applications (CA) is located in Washington, DC, reporting directly to the Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCIO) for Enterprise Applications. CA leads and executes the Department's global consular applications program, supporting visa, passport, and overseas citizens services operations. CA is also responsible for ensuring the security, interoperability, and worldwide implementation of consular technology systems.

Duties

The Office of Consular Applications (CA) is responsible for the design, development, testing, maintenance, training, security, and worldwide implementation of the Department's consular applications, supporting visa, passport, and overseas citizens services operations across more than 240 overseas posts and 30 domestic centers and agencies. The incumbent manages an office with an annual budget exceeding $820 million, a direct-hire staff of over 160 employees, and a contractor workforce of more than 1,400, overseeing approximately 47% of the Department of State's IT footprint, including over 70% of the Department's High Value Assets. Additional duties and functions include the following: Serves as the principal advisor to senior Department, Bureau, and U.S. Government (USG) leaders on all matters related to consular applications. Provides executive oversight, direction, and management of all consular applications, including their development, maintenance, updates, and security, ensuring compliance with Congressional mandates, FISMA, and FITARA requirements; and directs strategic development of consular applications and associated systems, providing authoritative technical and programmatic advice on current and emerging needs. Manages a budget exceeding $820 million, overseeing large-scale, highly complex contracts from procurement through oversight, subject to periodic independent audits. Serves as system owner for consular applications, developing and maintaining Department-wide policy guidance on consular applications and systems development. Leads reviews of major consular program areas, including Passport Services, American Citizen Services, Immigrant and Non-immigrant Visas, Consular Management, Fraud Prevention Programs, NameCheck, biometrics, and systems interoperability; and integrates emerging technologies — including AI, machine learning, and facial recognition — into worldwide consular operations to strengthen global connectivity and border security. Represents the Bureau and Department in interagency forums, coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other partners on border security, counterterrorism, and law enforcement objectives. Engages extensively with senior officials across the Department, other federal agencies (e.g., DHS, FBI), Congress, and private-sector partners to advocate for and defend Department IT policy and consular technology initiatives. Exercises full supervisory authority over subordinate Division Directors and staff, including hiring, performance management, disciplinary actions, awards, and resource allocation across seven divisions: Management and Administration, Cybersecurity, Visa, Platforms and Automation, Common Services, Citizenship Services, and Enterprise Operations. Develops and adjusts long-range strategic plans, resolving complex, controversial, and high-impact issues affecting the Department's global consular mission. Requirements

This position is a drug-testing designated position subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's completion and favorable adjudication of a background security investigation. The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521 requires the applicant selected for the this position submit a financial disclosure statement, OGE-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually and upon termination of employment. 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. As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible executive leadership and supervisory experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) listed below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-14/15 grade level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector. The application process to recruit for this position is the RESUME BASED method. You must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications ( MTQs) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed and will be disqualified. If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. Please submit your 2-page resume as an additional attachment. It is strongly recommended that you submit your 2-page resume in PDF format. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing ECQs or MTQs. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): YOUR RESUME (NOT TO EXCEED TWO PAGES) MUST CLEARLY DOCUMENT AND DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE OF YOUR ECQs : ECQ 1 – Commitment to 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. 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 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. MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (MTQ)s: IN ADDITION, YOU WILL BE EVALUATED ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (MTQ): Your responses to the MTQ should be embedded/addressed within your resume not to exceed two pages. MTQ 1 Demonstrated executive-level experience planning, directing, and managing large-scale, mission-critical information technology programs — including budget formulation, staffing, and contractor oversight — in support of a large public or private organization's operations. MTQ 2 Demonstrated expert knowledge of advanced information technology functions — including IT governance, enterprise architecture, applications development, capital planning, and cybersecurity — combined with the ability to advocate and negotiate technology policy and program positions with senior USG officials, Congressional staff, interagency partners, and industry representatives. NOTE: Your demonstrated leadership ability and the evidence of the ECQs and MTQs must be clearly shown in your resume. A separate narrative statement will not be accepted. A sample 2-page resume that incorporates ECQs and MTQs can be viewed on this link (indexed at page 16 - 17), “Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications” and “Senior Executive Service Qualifications & Fundamental-Competencies”. YOU WILL BE ELIMINATED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION IF YOU FAIL TO FULLY DEMONSTRATE EACH ECQ AND MTQ AND IF YOUR RESUME EXCEEDS TWO (2) PAGES. Current or Former (within last 5 years) Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer 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, please indicate this in your resume. Serving in a Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES appointment WILL NOT eliminate you from consideration.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Veterans' Preference does not apply to the Senior Executive Service. You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications stated in this vacancy announcement. A multi-step process is used to evaluate and refer applicants: 1. Minimum requirements: Your application package must show that you meet all the requirements including the education and/or experience required for this position. You will be rated “not qualified” if you do not possess the qualification requirements for the position. If your application is incomplete, you may be found “ineligible”. 2. Rating and Ranking: A panel of subject matter experts will review your application and evaluate your qualifications for this position based on the information in your application. Your application will be evaluated based on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of this position. 3. Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application will be referred to the selecting official for consideration for interview. The DOS Executive Resources Board (ERB) will review results and make recommendations on final selections to the appointing authority where final interviews and reference checks may occur. Your supporting documents are an integral part of the process for determining your qualifications for the position. If your responses are not supported by your resume limited to two pages, you will be eliminated from consideration. After reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, if a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Incomplete or late applications will not receive further consideration. The application process to recruit for this position is the RESUME BASED method. You must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED two (2) pages. Resumes exceeding the two (2) page limit will not reviewed and will be disqualified. 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 ECQs or MTQs. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Unless you have already been certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB) previously or possess noncompetitive SES eligibility, your executive qualifications must be certified by OPM before a career SES appointment can occur. Candidates seeking initial career SES appointment may be required to participate in a structured QRB interview administered by OPM as part of the certification process. Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/. You may preview questions for this vacancy. Other Information

For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or [email protected]. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of State requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for Top Secret/Sensitive Compartment Information clearance as a condition of placement in this Special Sensitive position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.