Strategic Operations Officer

Summary This position is being filled under a stream-lined hiring authority, Title 21 of the United States Code (21 US Code 379d-3a) as amended by the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016, section 3072 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, Section 3624. The candidate selected for this position will serve under a career or career-conditional appointment and be paid under the provisions of this authority. This position is being recruited based on the Title 21 Pay Table 7, Band E. Learn more about this agency Duties Serves as the principle operational authority, exercising independent judgement to design, implement, and sustain operational systems and frameworks that enable COP leadership to focus exclusively on strategic, policy, and stakeholder priorities. Works directly with Shared Service liaisons and providers across human resources, finance, IT, facilities, procurement, and administrative support. Attends Center/Office/Program (COP) Senior Leadership team meetings and All Hands meetings as a standing member and provides operational updates, raises concerns, and contributes to strategic discussions. Analyzes current processes, identifies inefficiencies, and implements improvements. Establishes operational policy, governance frameworks, and decision criteria for the Center/Office/Program (COP); issues guidance that is binding on operational staff and shapes how the COP interfaces with Office of Operations (OO) shared services. Conducts expert-level data analysis to identify trends, systemic performance gaps and emerging operational risks, translating findings into actionable recommendations presented directly to COP and Office of Operations (OO) leadership. Requirements Conditions of employment U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date. The candidate selected for this position will serve under a career or career-conditional appointment within the competitive service. Direct Deposit: You will be required to have all federal salary payments electronically deposited into a bank account with a financial institution of your choice. FDA participates in e-Verify: All new hires must complete the I-9 form; this information will be processed through e-Verify to determine your employment eligibility. If a discrepancy arises, you must take affirmative steps to resolve the matter. Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service. Please go to http://www.sss.gov for more information. Financial Disclosure may be required. Ethics Clearance may be required. Background Investigation Requirement: All employees must pass a security investigation. Failing to pass the background check may be grounds for removal or legal action. If hired, you may be subject to additional investigations at a later time. Certification of Accuracy: All information concerning eligibility and qualification is subject to investigation and verification. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection, or appropriate legal action. Probationary periods are required for new employees appointed to competitive service positions for the first time; or reinstated employees who return after a break in service of 30-days or more and who have not completed a probationary period. Qualifications These positions support the following Center/Office/Program (COPs): Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII) Human Foods Program (HFP) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) Office of Operations (OO) Office of Commissioner (OC) Oncology Center for Excellence (OCE) Office of Policy, Legislation, and International Affairs (OPLIA) In order to qualify for the Strategic Operations Officer position which falls under the 0301 occupational Series, you must meet the following requirements by 11:59 pm EST on 06/03/2026: In order to qualify for the Strategic Operations Officer, AD-0301-E, you must demonstrate in your resume at least nine (9) years of qualifying experience: resolving complex, multifaceted operational issues the cut across organizational boundaries, applying mastery-level knowledge to develop authoritative solutions that become the standard of practice for the Center/Office/Program (COP) and may influence Office of Operations (OO)-wide policy and procedures. Establishing operational policy, governance frameworks, and decision criteria for the COP; issues guidance that is binding on operational staff and shapes how the COP interfaces with OO shared services. In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the percentage of times the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above. PHS Commissioned Corps Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps may apply online to this announcement. Candidates will be referred to (CC) personnel and not as candidates for conversion to a permanent career or career-conditional appointment. You must submit documentation to verify your eligibility to apply for this vacancy. For most applicants, an SF-50 will be required. However, if you are applying based as a Veteran, person with a disability, or a displaced former employee, you will be required to provide other supporting documents as applicable. See the Required Documents section for more details. Education There is no education substitution for this position at the Band E level. Additional information The application limit, if applicable, for this advertisement is: 150 applicants. Additional Conditions of Employment: Pre-employment physical required: No Drug testing required: No License required: No Mobility agreement required: No Immunization required: No Bargaining Unit: No Telework eligible position: Telework is at the discretion of the supervisor. Financial disclosure statement, OGE-450, required: Please be advised that this position may be subject to FDA's prohibited financial interest regulation and may require the incumbent of this position to divest of certain financial interests. Applicants are advised to seek additional information on this requirement from the hiring official before accepting this position. This position may require financial disclosure reporting and will be subject to FDA's prohibited financial interest regulation. If you are hired, you may be required to divest of certain financial interests. You are advised to seek additional information on this requirement from the hiring official before accepting any job offers. For more information please visit the FDA Ethics web page: https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/jobs-and-training-fda/ethics. Additional Information: Additional selections may be made for similar positions within the commuting area(s) of the locations listed through this vacancy announcement. Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon funds availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require you to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a period of up to 3 years. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Incentives include the following: moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentive; student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc. If you are serving, or have served in the last 5 years (from 06/03/2026) as an Executive Branch political, Schedule C, or Non-career SES appointee, HHS/FDA may be required to obtain approval by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prior to beginning employment. You can find out if you have held one of these appointment types by looking at your Standard Form 50s in your Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF), in Section 5 where the legal authorities are listed. If you have served or are currently serving, you must provide a copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, documenting this appointment. In addition, you will be required to respond to the question in the assessment and certify your responses to the questionnaire. See Political Appointee FAQ - OPM for more. Active-duty U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Officers are encouraged to apply. If selected, officers may either (1) remain on active duty assigned to the designated billet for PHS assignment, or (2) separate or retire from the Commissioned Corps before entering a Title 21 civilian appointment. All requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement (06/03/2026); only education and experience gained by this date will be considered. You must continue to meet all requirements throughout the entire hiring process. Expand Hide  additional information 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. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.