Duties

Summary

The U.S. Secret Service, Office of Technical Development and Mission Support, Technical Security Division, is responsible for providing a technically secure environment for the President at the White House, Vice Presidential Residence, and such places that the President and Vice President may be temporarily located and providing technical security for other protectees during travel and at their residences, as directed or requested. For more information on the Secret Service click here.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

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The Office of Technical Development and Mission Support, Technical Security Division is seeking to hire talented individuals to provide overall program and project planning, coordination, management, and quality assurance for interrelated technical areas including, but not limited to: chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) threat detection and countermeasures; infrastructure protection; and protective equipment for CBRNE safety.

If selected, you will serve as an Biologist on specialized projects and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders in developing, formulating, planning, managing, directing and executing operational programs, thus promoting best practices and enhancing the agency's investigative and protective missions.

Duties may include:

• Testing, evaluating and developing protocols for new Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) detection and mitigation systems.
• Utilizing and evaluating existing and state-of-the-art technology for the detection of hazardous materials and other applicable biological related program areas. Suggesting guidance and technical oversight to adapt and implement processes that have a positive impact on agency missions.
• Conducting research to maximize quality assurance and user safety and to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and standards, for deployed and proposed technologies and procedures.
• Utilizing and maintaining familiarity in a wide variety of technical and advanced sample collection tools, hazards detection systems, decontamination products, and best practices to allow for improvements in hazards screening and mitigation capabilities.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Obtain and maintain a Top Secret (Tier 5) security clearance. For more information visit OPM Mythbuster Page .
• Must successfully complete a polygraph examination.
• Pass a drug test (urinalysis).
• Certify you have registered with the Selective Service System if you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, or certify you are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.
• May require Financial disclosure report.
• Shift work may be required. The incumbent must be able to work holidays, evenings, weekends and during inclement weather and government shutdowns as required to support operations.
• This position is an emergency essential position. The incumbent will be subject to on-call and irregular work hours.

Qualifications

You must demonstrate at least one (1) year of the defined specialized experience listed below and meet the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR).

Specialized experience is defined as performing such duties as:

GS-11: To qualify for the GS-11 ($72,750) you must have at least one year of specialized experience performing such as providing information on the impact of biology and biological properties on analytical technologies; assisting with developing new methods or techniques to evaluate data obtained from validation studies, adapting established protocols and procedures in response to test or study finding.

OR

3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D degree or Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree,

GS-12: To qualify for the GS-12 ($87,198) you must have at least one year of specialized experience performing such as conducting complex biological tests and/or procedures using specialized methods and techniques; modifying established protocols and procedures in response to test or study findings; locating, identifying, and acquiring equipment, personnel, and materials needed for multiple scientific project, within time frames and budgetary constraints.

GS-13: To qualify for the GS-13 ($103,690) you must have at least one year of specialized experience performing such duties as developing, implementing, and troubleshooting, process improvement, technical evaluation and recommendations; resolving problems involving matters, modifying or adapting standard processes and procedures as well as to assess, select, and apply remedies suited to problem or situation; advising the Contracting Officer on all technical matters, recommending contract awards, testing end products and coordinating installations.

GS-14: To qualify for the GS-14 (starting salary $122,530) you must have at least one year of specialized experience performing such duties as providing program planning, coordination, management, quality assurance, execution and control for interrelated design and development programs; preparing operational, and maintenance specifications and guides for end-use for fielded technology; developing standards and test plans to assure reliability of system performance throughout its lifecycle; preparing solicitations for proposals based on rigid and independently developed criteria, specifications and other requirement; conducting research to maximize quality assurance and user safety and to while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and standards.

AND

OPMs Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) is defined as: General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series, 0401

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. Information about ICTAP eligibility can be found by clicking here to access OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under ICTAP, you must meet the basic requirement and specialized experience as described above for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

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

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

Please see the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) referenced in the "Qualification" section.

Additional information

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

E-Verify Statement: DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Click here to learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

It is federal government policy not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties through no fault of their own. For more information on this subject click here.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for 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.

This position may require a credit check after initial job qualifications have been determined.

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy https://www.opm.gov/about-us/our-people-organization/support-functions/equal-employment-opportunity/

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

"This announcement is being filled using the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) direct-hire authority. Agencies may appoint candidates directly to jobs, without regard to the provisions of Title 5 U.S.C.3309 through 3318. Applicants who meet the basic requirement and specialized experience for the position will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. Veterans' preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to the announcement."

Upon review, your resume and/or supporting documents need to support your answer choices and reflect the one year of specialized experience requirement, in order to be considered. If the one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the next lower grade level cannot be identified in your resume, you will be considered not qualified. The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:

• Knowledge of related natural and physical sciences, including, but not limited to molecular biology, virology, microbiology, botany, agronomy, hydrology, chemistry, and soil science, sufficient to understand and apply the concepts and methodology to problems encountered.
• Skills in performing complex tests and/or procedures that require using highly specialized methods or techniques.
• Ability to resolve problems involving matters, modifying or adapting standard processes and procedures as well as to assess, select, and apply remedies suited to the assigned problem or situation.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness , National security

Required Documents

Please see "How to Apply" section.

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.