Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Diplomatic Security Service, Office of Protection, Protective Liaison Division (PLD). The Division performs investigative, technical and administrative work to direct the Office of Protection's Diplomatic and Consular Reimbursement Programs, the Law Enforcement/ Intelligence Agencies Liaison Programs, the Foreign Mission Liaison Programs and the government Liaison Programs. The incumbent directs, manages, and supervises the PLD.

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Responsibilities

• Ensures that the Division's policies and activities are consistent with applicable statutes, regulations, Departmental directives and efficient management practices. Interprets and directs the implementation of new program policies and directives.
• Establishes overall goals and objectives of the PL division and assures their implementation.
• Evaluates ongoing program procedures and operations. Reviews the operational efficiency of the Division's functions and initiates improvements.
• Serves as the Diplomatic Security Services' expert on legislative knowledge concerning diplomatic protection including crimes against internationally protected persons.

Travel Required

25% or less - The incumbent travels 25% of the time. Travel includes work with law enforcement jurisdictions nationwide and overseas.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• One year probationary period, unless excepted by regulation.
• Obtain/maintain eligibility to access Sensitive Compartmented Information
• This is a supervisory position.
• New supervisors must successfully complete a 1 year probationary period.

Qualifications

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

- Experience negotiating reimbursable agreements for the acquisition of federal, state and local law enforcement support for the protection of a resident foreign diplomatic or consular official or a visiting foreign dignitary;

- Experience representing the Department at the highest level of government in both in formal and informal settings (e.g., officials of other Federal agencies, foreign embassy officials, law enforcement entities, state and municipal officials and Congressional staff); and

- Experience monitoring and evaluating programs to determine shifts in program emphasis and the resources needed to accomplish the organizations goals/mission.

In addition, applicant's experience must also demonstrate that the candidate possesses the following qualities:

• Ability to assign, review, and supervise the work of others;
• Objectivity and fairness in judging people on their ability, and situations on the facts and circumstances;
• Ability to adjust to change, work pressures, or difficult situations without undue stress;
• Willingness to consider new ideas or divergent points of view; and
• Capacity to "see the job through."

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-15 position.

IN ADDITION TO THE SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE IDENTIFIED ABOVE:

AGE REQUIREMENT: All applicants, except preference-eligible veterans, MUST be no more than 37 years of age upon entry into this position. If you are 37 or older, or will reach your 37th birthday, but have previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement position which may exempt you from this age restriction, you must submit a copy of the SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that you received in that position. If you are a preference-eligible veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 verifying your veterans preference eligibility.

Candidate must possess a valid U.S. driver's license.

This position requires the incumbent to carry a firearm while performing duties and maintain firearm proficiency and successfully pass periodic firearm qualifications. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition. Title 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9).

This position is authorized to receive Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) at the rate of 25% of the incumbent's salary (including locality pay) paid in addition to the salary. The receipt of LEAP is not optional and requires the incumbent to work an average of two or more LEAP hours per scheduled work day, which may include evenings, nights and weekends. The hours worked will vary depending on the nature of the assignment. The payment of LEAP commences at the beginning of the first full pay period following completion of Specialist Orientation at the Foreign Service Institute. Incumbents will receive LEAP during Basic Special Agent (BSAC) training.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: The duties of positions in this series require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Sufficiently good vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Near vision, corrective lenses permitted, must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz levels. Since the duties of these positions are exacting and responsible, and involve activities under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.

This position requires all incumbents to meet physical fitness standards to ensure they are prepared to carry out all of their official responsibilities. All applicants tentatively selected for this position must complete and submit a Physical Readiness Test (PRT) Self-Evaluation. Prior to receiving a final offer, applicants must pass a Diplomatic Security Service administered PRT. For information on the PRT standards, please visit https://careers.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/DS-PRT-Guide-Revised-161019.pdf and https://careers.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/DS-PRT-Standards-Revised-161019.pdf. Incumbents of this position will be required to maintain the physical fitness standards set by the agency and participate in triannual fitness testing.

The incumbent must pass periodic physical examinations, meet physical standards set by the Agency for the position, and otherwise fulfill the requirements for law enforcement positions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c).

MOBILITY AGREEMENT: Selectee must sign a mobility agreement to accept relocation to other geographic locations if required by the agency. A valid driver's license is also required.

This position requires the incumbent to work various shifts (e.g., 8:15am-5pm), 12am-8am, 4pm-12am, in addition to 2 or more LEAP hours, on a daily basis. In short, the hours worked will vary depending on the nature of your assignment.

TRAINING: Must successfully complete OR have successfully completed the Criminal Investigations Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glenco, GA, AND the New Agent Course at the Diplomatic Security Training Center. Candidates will be required to sign a Training Agreement attesting to their understanding that failure to successfully complete the training will result in removal.

Education

See the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements, if applicable.

Additional information

For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or ReasonableAccommodations@state.gov .

If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs) and other characteristics that are relevant to the duties of this position and must be fully supported by information in your resume:

- Ability to organize and lead teams;

- Ability to plan and organize work;

- Ability to apply business and management theories, principles and methods in the conduct of strategic and financial planning, resource allocation and the coordination and management of human resources;

- Ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand;

- Knowledge of national and/or international security programs; and

- Ability to identify program requirements and deficiencies and make appropriate change.

Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. 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). Your resume should include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week. For assistance with creating a resume, please click here .

Qualified candidates are assigned a score between 70 and 100. Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) candidates must be rated "Well Qualified" for the position and earn a score of at least 85 (when applicants are rated in a range of 70 to 100) to receive consideration for selection priority. If, after reviewing your resume and self-assessment questionnaire responses and a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, a score will be manually determined that reflects your documented experience. This may result in a lower score, which may also eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements and submit any required supporting documentation by the closing date of this job opportunity. Your application package must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this job opportunity announcement for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. Applicants found to be among the top qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.

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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
National security

Required Documents

All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system "Gateway to State" by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

1. Resume - your resume or any other written format you choose should contain the required information as specified in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section. Insufficient information will result in an ineligible rating.

2. A completed online job specific self-assessment questionnaire through the Department's automated system "Gateway to State".

3. Transcripts - if applicable, see the Qualifications section of the announcement. If selected, an official/sealed college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment.

4. If you are qualifying based on other criteria listed under the Qualification Section of this announcement, you must submit the required supporting documentation (certificates, certifications, etc.) with your application by the closing date.

5. Current eligible DOS employees (per 3 FAM 2315) including non-competitive applicants must submit a SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) that shows the effective date, position title, series, grade, salary, tenure, position occupied, full promotion potential, AND submit a copy of your most recent completed annual performance appraisal that includes the final rating. If a performance appraisal does not exist, is incomplete or unavailable, a Form DS-1812 (Applicant Appraisal) or equivalent form from another agency signed by the current supervisor is acceptable. Mid-year progress reviews will not be accepted.

6. CTAP eligibles must submit a copy of the appropriate documentation with their application. See link below:

CTAP Considerations

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.