Federal

Program Manager (Senior Advisor)

Federal Aviation Administration ยท Department of Transportation
๐Ÿ“ Des Plaines, Illinois FV-J $124,957 - $193,721/yr
Posted: Aug 22, 2026 Deadline: Aug 31, 2026 (Closes in 6 days)

About This Position

This position serves as the Senior Advisor in a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Service Center Region or Region, Office of Policy and Strategic Engagement (APL), National Engagement and Regional Administration (ARA). The position directly supports the Regional Administrator (RA) and reports directly to the Deputy Regional Administrator (DRA). The incumbent provides advice, counsel and support for assigned areas under the purview of the RA and DRA.

Qualifications

Candidates must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level (FV-I, FG/GS-13) that is typically in or related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in this position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR FV-340-J: Specialized experience includes knowledge of the FAA organization, policies, mission, functions, and operational requirements.

Experience with representing the FAA to Congressional and aviation community officials, media, and the general public.

This position is non-supervisory. Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSAs): : As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.

In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA section, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA.

Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability.

Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided.

Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration. QUALIFICATIONS MUST BE MET BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT

Major Duties

Influences the adoption or creation of policy on highly complex and challenging policy and performance issues that cross organizational lines in support or ARA corporate leadership and horizontal integration roles. Provides leadership and guidance for non-routine issues to ensure prompt response and appropriate level of investigation and follow-through. Manages, coordinates and provides technical support and advise for multiple projects and programs as needed and assigned by management.

Examples of projects may include and/or involve noise issues, environmental challenges, runway safety, airport capacity, stakeholder engagement, international/national visitors, airport sponsor projects, and community complaints, engagement, and involvement. Facilitates multi-functional team efforts to develop procedures, products, or services that cross organizational lines. Clearly communicates objectives and deadlines and apprises leadership of status of assigned projects.

Completes and compiles appropriate background staff work in preparation for internal and external meetings, conferences, and visits for the RA and DRA, that may include preparing speeches, presentations, programs, briefing papers, and other materials. Serves as an Ambassador on assigned matters to both internal and external customers and stakeholders, which may involve special dignitaries and visitors, Congressional officials and staff, representatives of foreign governments, aviation community, industry officials, media, and the general public. Supports responsibility of RA and DRA for implementing horizontal integration of regional initiatives.

Serves on ad-hoc management groups; and performs special projects. Develops new methodologies and techniques to solve organizational challenges. Performs special studies and develops plans, policies, procedures, guidance, resources, and similar documents on operational and administrative matters.

Prepares associated plans of action, milestones and similar planning documents. Works closely with the Administrative Officer, Administrative Specialist and other staff members on document controls, planning and scheduling outreach initiatives and congressional/stakeholder inquiries. Assists to support and maintain the ARA quality management system through continuous improvement.

Perform other duties as assigned by the RA or DRA.

This position requires that the incumbent obtain and maintain a secret clearance.

Conditions of Employment

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

Education

There is no education substitution for this position.

How You Will Be Evaluated

IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

Additional Information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions. Position may be subject to a background investigation. A one-year probationary period may be required. The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty.

FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.

SECURITY REQUIREMENT: Non-Critical Sensitive (2).

This position requires completion and favorable adjudication of a background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained. Subject to a 5 year period reinvestigation. FAA's CORE COMPENSATION PLAN: This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan.

Additional information about core compensation is available on the following website: https://employees.faa.gov/org/stafoffices/ahr/policy_guidances/hr_policies/hrpm/comp/comp_ref/ Interview Statement: Some, all, or none may be interviewed. Incomplete Applications: Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

Your application/resume must have your official employment start/end dates, position title, series, grade/pay band level, and work schedule (Full-Time/Part-time hours) on your work history. This is not a bargaining unit position. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

How to Apply

Applicants may be required to complete one or multiple assessments as part of the evaluation process. This assessment aims to evaluate the competencies and qualifications essential for the position.

You must apply online to receive consideration.

Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register. RESUMES ARE LIMITED TO TWO PAGES.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC AND INCLUDE INFORMATION AS IT RELATES TO THE QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION. Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job) Relevant work experience: should align to the Job Announcement and address all required qualifications and include job title, employer name, start/end dates, number of hours worked per week. Education, certification or licensure: If required, education should include school/institution name, completion date, degree type and GPA.

Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible.

You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies.

Required Documents

Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), must be submitted. If you are an FAA employee, you MUST provide a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) containing information in Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 so it can be used to verify your position title, series, grade, tenure, and organization of record by the closing date of the announcement.

You may fax your SF-50 or upload it into the on-line application. If faxing the SF-50, please ensure you include the vacancy announcement number on the faxed copy. If you are an FAA employee, you can access and print your SF-50 from the eOPF system https://eopf.opm.gov/dot/.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Program Manager (Senior Advisor) position at Federal Aviation Administration?
The salary range for this position is $124,957 - $193,721/yr. This is a FV-J position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Program Manager (Senior Advisor) job located?
This position is located in Des Plaines, Illinois. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
There is no education substitution for this position.
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Aug 31, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, a Secret clearance is required.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.