Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Operations Coordination (OPS).

The primary purpose of this position is to perform analytical activities to ensure OPS staff actions are synchronized to effectively support DHS HQ and OPS senior leadership; to ensure coordination of expert analysis and perspectives on issue areas that encompass all OPS lines of business and Department mission areas; to represent OPS on a variety of intra-Departmental activities.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

As a Program Specialist GS 0301 9/11/12, your typical work assignments may include:

• Review, advise on/and conduct multi-faceted analyses, evaluations, or investigations where definitions, methods, and/or data are incomplete, controversial, uncertain, or boundaries of the studies are extremely broad/difficult to determine in advance.
• Conduct long-range planning and analysis activities of new substantive agency programs where precedents are scarce or nonexistent.
• Work with high level echelons within the organization to develop long-range management plans for efficient and effective program implementation and administration.
• Apply a wide range of qualitative/quantitative assessments methods for the improvement of complex short/long-range goals, developing detailed plans for implementing them, and overseeing implementation of the goals in subordinate organizations.
• Assist in determining the need for written policies and procedures, overseeing the development of policies and procedures, and reviewing and recommending approval upon completion.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service
• You must successfully pass a background investigation
• You must be able to obtain a (insert clearance level) Security Clearance
• You must submit to a pre-employment drug test
• Current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements.
• Shared Certificates Statement: Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Qualifications

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This is a Drug Testing Designated Position (TDP) and is covered by the Department of Homeland Security Headquarters Drug-Free Workplace Program. The incumbent is required to sign a Condition of Employment form (for certain positions identified as critical under the drug testing program) and must pass urinalysis testing, as required prior to appointment, reassignment, or transfer, and employee will be subject to random testing while employed with the Department in a TDP.

Due to the nature of the mission, which includes providing emergency/crisis support, the incumbent is subject to recall either to the National Operations Center (NOC), or an alternate Continuity of Operations (COOP) facility during emergency operational support conditions, training or exercises. Such incidents may require the incumbent to work extended hours and days outside his or her normal work schedule. Long hours under highly stressful and demanding conditions may be the norm during contingencies or major operations. The incumbent may be required to work rotating shifts, including night work, weekends and holidays.

This position involves critical duties and responsibilities that must continue to be performed during crisis situations and contingency operations. Required responsiveness to elevated threat levels may require special considerations, such as travel, temporary relocation and extended or rotational hours of work.

Specialized Experience:

You qualify at the GS-09 grade level if you possess one of the following: A. One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in Federal service ; OR. A Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the first year may be used to qualify for the GS-09 level. OR you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the comparable experience not gained through federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as; 1) Providing analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency/effectiveness of program operations; 2) Developing analytical techniques and evolution criteria to the measurement and improvement of program effectiveness and/or organizational productivity; 3) Supporting activities for planning and organizing programs, plans, and proposals involving substantial agency resources, and requiring extensive changes in established procedures; and 4) Presenting staffing recommendations and/or negotiating solutions to disputed recommendations.

You qualify at the GS-11 grade level if you possess one of the following: A. One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in Federal service; OR. A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related OR. A Combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application. NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the first two years may be used to qualify for the GS-11 level; OR you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as; 1) Applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency/effectiveness of program operations; 2) Adapting analytical techniques and evolution criteria to the measurement and improvement of program effectiveness and/or organizational productivity; 3) Supporting activities for planning and organizing programs, plans, and proposals involving substantial agency resources, and requiring extensive changes in established procedures; and 4) Presenting staffing recommendations and/or negotiating solutions to disputed recommendations.

To qualify for the GS-12, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the comparable experience not gained through federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as; 1) Applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency/effectiveness of program operations; 2) Adapting analytical techniques and evolution criteria to the measurement and improvement of program effectiveness and/or organizational productivity; 3) Supporting activities for planning and organizing programs, plans, and proposals involving substantial agency resources, and requiring extensive changes in established procedures; and 4) Presenting staffing recommendations and/or negotiating solutions to disputed recommendations.

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.

All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Time-in-grade
Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement.

Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE.

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.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Education

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html .
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage.

Additional information

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.

This position may be filled at the GS-09, GS-11 or GS-12 level. If selection is made at the GS-09 level, promotion to the GS-11 and GS-12 level may occur without further competition.

Selectee may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid.

Suitability Statement:

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment , and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.

Interviews are required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Land Management Eligible: Applicable to Merit Promotion JOAs that are accepting applications from individuals within or outside the agency's workforce. Please include the hiring path for Land and Base Management: Current and former employees of a land management agency who were initially hired at a land management agency under a time-limited appointment in the competitive service.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training will be rated https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11000340 based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform this job:
Oral Communication, Planning and Evaluating, Program Management, Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis, and Writing

If you are the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the job questionnaire and application, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11000340

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must be 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. (Note: Veteran's preference does not apply under Merit Promotion procedures. View VEOA information on Feds Hire Vets .

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you will be removed from consideration or your score will be lowered.

Consideration may be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards as an indicator of quality of prior experience. No points will be awarded.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans , Peace Corps / VISTA volunteers , and people with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility and to understand the documentation that would be required with your application, click on the links above and contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

Your resume NOTE: For what to include in the resume, click on the link:

Your responses to the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11000340

Are you a current or former federal employee? Submit your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current grade; your highest grade held; your current promotion potential and proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases ands accessions.

Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information

Are you a veteran? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 or other (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) and/or documentation of service connected disability. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information .

Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)?

Submit the following:
- A copy of your agency notice,
- A copy of your most recent performance rating\, and
- A copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location

8. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee?
Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
- Position title
- Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee)
- Agency
- Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

9. Are you applying under special hiring authorities as a military spouse?
- Provide a copy of your:
- Marriage certificate, and
- Your spouse's PCS or A completed SF-15 with supporting documentation.

10. Are you applying under Schedule A hiring authority for persons with severe disabilities? Provide: Evidence of your intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefit.

11. You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.