Competitive Service Jobs in Washington DC

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Looking for Competitive Service jobs in Washington DC? Browse our curated listings with transparent salary information to find the perfect Competitive Service position in the Washington DC area.

Senior Public Affairs Specialist

Company: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations - AmeriCorps

Location: Washington, District of Columbia Washington, District of Columbia

Posted Nov 13, 2024

This job posting is for a position in the Department of the Chief Executive Officer, Office of Communications and Marketing. The role requires U.S. citizenship, a 2-year probationary period, and a satisfactory background check. Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience in strategic media planning, press management, or related areas. Experience can include internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs. Education cannot substitute for experience. The role offers a comprehensive benefits package as part of a U.S. government career.

SECURITY SPECIALIST

Company: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations - National Archives and Records Administration

Location: Washington, District of Columbia Washington, District of Columbia

Posted Nov 13, 2024

The National Archives and Records Administration is seeking a Security Specialist in the Security Management Division. The role involves overseeing personnel, physical, and holdings security, controlled-access information, physical accessibility, emergency planning, and workplace health and safety at NARA-occupied facilities. The position requires a one-year probationary period, successful completion of a background investigation, and a top-secret clearance. Specialized experience includes conducting security surveys and safeguarding sensitive records. Education can be substituted for experience under certain conditions.

Senior International Trade Specialist

Company: Department of Commerce - Commerce, International Trade Administration

Location: Washington, District of Columbia Washington, District of Columbia

Posted Nov 13, 2024

This job posting is for a Senior International Trade Specialist role in the Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Office of Enforcement & Compliance. The position requires U.S. citizenship, a background investigation, and possibly a probationary period. Specialized experience in tariffs, Section 232 Exclusions, and trade barrier removal is necessary for the GS-14 level. No specific education requirement is stated. Various hiring authorities are mentioned, including Veterans Recruitment Act, Veterans Employment Opportunities Act, and Military Spouse Non-Competitive Hiring Authority. A comprehensive benefits package is offered to federal employees.

Campaign Finance Analyst

Company: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations - Federal Election Commission

Location: Washington DC, District of Columbia Washington DC, District of Columbia

Posted Nov 13, 2024

This job posting is for a position in the Reports Analysis Division (RAD) of the Office of Compliance (OC) at the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The role has potential for promotion to GS-0301-11 grade level, based on demonstrated ability. It's a Bargaining Unit position requiring U.S. citizenship, clearance of a background investigation, and possible registration for Selective Service. A 2-year probationary period is required. Qualifications include specialized experience or education, with options for combination. Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met. Additional qualifications include experience with campaign finance and analytical research, and proficiency in written and oral communication, analysis, customer service, and self-management.

Senior International Trade Specialist

Company: Department of Commerce - Commerce, International Trade Administration

Location: Washington, District of Columbia Washington, District of Columbia

Posted Nov 13, 2024

This job posting is for a Senior International Trade Specialist role in the Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Office of Enforcement & Compliance. The position requires U.S. citizenship, a background investigation, and possibly a probationary period. Specialized experience in Tariffs, Section 232 Exclusions, and trade barrier removal is necessary for the GS-14 level. No specific education requirement is stated. Various hiring authorities are mentioned, including Veterans Recruitment Act, Veterans Employment Opportunities Act, and Military Spouse Non-Competitive Hiring Authority. A comprehensive benefits package is offered to federal employees.

Program Analyst

Company: Judicial Branch - Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts

Location: Washington, District of Columbia Washington, District of Columbia

Posted Nov 13, 2024

The Program Management Analyst position is to be filled within the Enterprise Project Services Division (EPSD) in the Department of Technology Services (DTS). DTS oversees the judiciary's national IT management, governance, and oversight processes. The role requires at least one year of specialized experience in cost estimation, risk management, and improving project delivery. A Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is preferred but not required. All new employees must complete an FBI background check, E-Verify, and direct deposit setup. They will also undergo a trial period and may be subject to conversion to permanent status based on funding and staffing.

Chief Engineer

Company: Legislative Branch - Architect of the Capitol

Location: Washington, District of Columbia Washington, District of Columbia

Posted Nov 13, 2024

The Architect of the Capitol is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead a workforce of over 300 employees, responsible for long-range facility planning, architectural and engineering design, historic preservation, and project, program, and construction management on the Capitol complex. The role involves safe and efficient delivery of planning, design, and construction services. Requirements include passing a drug test, providing narratives to ECQs and PTQs, and meeting qualifications as per the OPM standards. Applicants must be US citizens or meet specific immigration criteria. A bachelor's degree in engineering or architecture, or equivalent experience, is required. The position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive retirement plan, and various benefits including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, flexible work hours, and paid leave.

Human Resources Specialist - DIRECT HIRE (P)

Company: Department of Transportation - Maritime Administration

Location: Washington, District of Columbia Washington, District of Columbia

Posted Nov 13, 2024

The Office of Human Resources manages human capital and personnel policies for the Maritime Administration. The Human Resources Specialist oversees these policies and programs. U.S. citizens with specialized experience can apply online by the closing date. Required documents must be submitted. Direct Hire Authority will be used for this position. Males born after 12/31/1959 must register for Selective Service. PCS, Relocation, and Recruitment Incentives may apply. A one-year probationary period may be required. Telework eligibility depends on the position. Qualifications include either education or specialized experience. GS-09 requires one year of experience in HR issues, GS-11 requires one year of experience in interpreting guidelines and conducting research. No education requirement for this job.

Technical Writer (Federal Agency)

Company: Aalis Management Consulting

Location: Washington DC

Posted Nov 13, 2024

Aalis Management Consulting is seeking a skilled Technical Writer to support their team with drafting, revising, and refining technical documentation. The ideal candidate will have strong technical writing experience, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively.

INTERDISCIPLINARY ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER/PHYSICAL SCIENTIST

Company: Department of the Navy - Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command

Location: Bangor, Washington Bangor, Washington

Posted Nov 13, 2024

This is a public notice for anticipated vacancies, requiring US citizenship, suitability for federal employment, and participation in direct deposit. The position necessitates a Professional Engineer (PE) registration for the Environmental Engineer Series and a year of specialized experience. A bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program or equivalent is required. Additional benefits and information about the position are provided.

Supervisory Management and Program Analyst

Company: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations - U.S. International Trade Commission

Location: Washington, District of Columbia Washington, District of Columbia

Posted Nov 13, 2024

This position is for the Associate Director of Operations and Performance Improvement Officer (PIO) in the Office of Operations. The role involves strategic planning, performance improvement, and handling international trade issues. Requirements include obtaining a secret security clearance, U.S. citizenship, and passing a background investigation. The GS-15 level requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-14, including analyzing agency-wide issues, supervising projects, and communicating with high-level officials. No education requirement is specified. The role offers a comprehensive benefits package as part of a U.S. government career.

Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist

Company: Department of Transportation - Federal Aviation Administration

Location: Washington, District of Columbia Washington, District of Columbia

Posted Nov 13, 2024

This position, which requires US Citizenship and occasional domestic travel, offers a Manager Performance Incentive (MPI) based on agency and individual performance. The role involves drafting policies, providing advice on environmental rules, leading workgroups, and conducting research for policy recommendations. Applicants must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience in civil aviation noise policies, management advisory, workgroup leadership, and environmental research. The position is subject to a background investigation and a one-year probationary period. Federal benefits are offered, including a comprehensive package designed to make a federal career rewarding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are typical salary ranges by seniority for Competitive Service roles?
Junior Cloud Engineers earn $80,000–$110,000, mid‑level SREs range $110,000–$150,000, senior architects and lead incident responders command $150,000–$220,000+, with executive roles exceeding $250,000 depending on company size and region.
What skills and certifications are required in Competitive Service?
Core skills include Kubernetes, Terraform, CI/CD (GitLab, Spinnaker), observability (Prometheus, Grafana), and incident‑response platforms (PagerDuty, Opsgenie). Certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), Certified DevSecOps Professional, and ITIL Foundation are highly valued.
Is remote work available for Competitive Service positions?
Yes, most Competitive Service roles offer 100% remote or hybrid arrangements. Companies prioritize cloud‑first toolsets, which enable distributed teams to manage services from anywhere while maintaining strict security controls.
What career progression paths exist in Competitive Service?
Typical progression starts with Support Engineer → SRE → Cloud Architect → Incident Response Lead → Technical Program Manager or VP of Reliability. Continuous learning and cross‑functional experience accelerate movement into leadership and strategy roles.
What industry trends are shaping Competitive Service today?
Emerging trends include multi‑cloud orchestration, IaC automation, AI‑Ops for predictive incident mitigation, zero‑trust security architecture, and the integration of observability with machine‑learning analytics to reduce mean time to recovery.

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