Supervisory IT Project Manager (Chief of Staff)

This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

About the role

Work directly with the NIST CIO as the principal advisor for the Office of Information Systems Management, leading the execution of policies for NIST's IT programs, governance framework, and strategic compliance.

Responsibilities

• Executive Strategy & Advisory: Work directly as the principal advisor to the NIST CIO, directing the execution of IT policies, governance frameworks, and strategic compliance for the Office of Information Systems Management (OISM).
• Executive Representation: Serve as the formal surrogate for the CIO in high-level decision-making, policy negotiations, and inter-agency leadership forums.
• Bureau-Wide IT Governance: Act as the primary liaison between Department of Commerce (DoC) headquarters, external bureaus, and the NIST CIO to ensure unified, aligned IT governance.
• Internal & External IT Communications: Direct strategic messaging across all internal and external IT channels to enhance operational transparency and drive service excellence.
• Business Intelligence & Analytics: Oversee bureau-wide business analytics and data visualization services to empower data-driven strategic decisions.
• Scientific Research & Policy Advisory: Advise OISM and NIST senior leadership on navigating controversial scientific research methodologies entangled with complex IT policy shifts.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Community Support: Execute targeted engagement strategies between NIST researchers and Operating Units (OUs) to align IT services with specialized scientific needs.
• Data Call Oversight & Delivery: Lead cross-functional teams across OISM and NIST OUs to respond to high-priority external data calls with accuracy and strict deadline adherence.

Requirements

Basic Requirements: For all positions, individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below.

• Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
• Customer Service: Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
• Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level (ZP-IV at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as experience in developing strategic plans and policies, facilitating communication, and customer liaison for IT services.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.