Duties

Summary

This position is located in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Partnership and Engagement (OPE).The primary purpose of this position is to develop and implement a cohesive approach to academic engagement with institutions of higher education, community colleges, school systems, and academic partnership groups.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Executive Director for Academic Engagement leads and oversees the development and implementation of a cohesive approach to academic engagement with institutions of higher education, community colleges, school systems, and partnership groups to introduce, establish, and/or sustain department-wide strategies, policies, plans, programs and initiatives to achieve the goals of the Office. The Executive Director reports to the Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement and works in close coordination with, and at the direction of, the Assistant Secretary for engagements related to the Secretary's Office.

The academic community is a valuable source of innovation, ingenuity and learning, and DHS must effectively and wholly
harness the talent of students and academics to research and develop cutting edge technologies, identify solutions to
complex policy problems, continue to advance the professionalism of today's workforce, and educate the future leaders of
tomorrow in the area of homeland security.

The Executive Director is primarily responsible for ensuring that the goals of the Office are met, and as such:

• Serves as the DHS lead for academic engagement in accordance with the OPE Assistant Secretary and Secretary's vision.
  Chairs the organizational structure, ensuring broad-based collaboration and coordination.
• Serves as the Designated Federal Official for the Secretary's Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council, which is the
  Secretary's Federal Advisory Committee that delivers recommendations for taskings received by the Secretary of Homeland
  Security.
• Advises on the development of strategic plans, special initiatives and policies related to academic engagement. Develops,
  evaluates and analyzes project proposals and develops implementation and action plans. Ensures accountability to
  specified outcomes and deliverables. Determines impact on current resources and projects resource needs necessary for
  the completion of planned activities having DHS-wide and national impact.
• The Executive reports to the Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement and works in close coordination, and at the direction of the Assistant Secretary for engagements related to the Secretary's Office Represents the Secretary, DHS, and OPE leadership with the academic community; ascertains the issues and concerns of these stakeholders, and discusses and builds support for policy proposals and resource needs.
• Serves as an adviser on major issues and problems affecting policies, long-term and short-term programs, and initiatives that impact academic engagement efforts, resources and the support for those policies among DHS stakeholders.
• Oversees the selection, staffing, resources, and workload of program staff, prepares and executes budget/allocates human
  and fiscal resources, and generates status reports on collaborative, engagement initiatives and efforts to ensure the
  effective and efficient execution of OPE goals. Monitors the progress of the unit's strategic and tactical goals, and makes
  recommendations on goal adjustments, as necessary. Oversees the strategic analyses and studies affecting short-term and
  long-term goals.
• The Executive Director approves and ensures the development and coordination of DHS positions in gaining cooperation and
  consensus from the academic community and other entities in the implementation and the management of academic
  engagement policy meetings that address homeland security issues.

Travel Required

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

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
00

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 may be required to undergo periodic drug testing.
• You must be able to obtain/maintain a Top Secret (SCI) security clearance.
• Selectee will be required to complete form OGE-278, Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Form.
• You will serve a one-year probationary period unless you previously completed the probationary period in the SES.
• You must submit to a pre-employment drug test.

Qualifications

As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Technical Qualification(s) and Executive Core Qualifications listed below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-15 grade level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show in your resume that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Technical Qualification(s) listed below. We recommend that your résumé emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of programs managed, and your program accomplishments, including the results of your actions.

The application process used to recruit for this position is the RESUME-ONLY, therefore, evidence of each ECQ and TQ must be CLEARLY REFLECTED in your resume.

Your application package must be a total of 5 pages. Any information submitted in excess of 5 pages WILL NOT be considered.

A sample 5-page resume that incorporates ECQs and TQs can be viewed on this link (indexed at page 29 - 37) http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/GuidetoSESQuals_2012.pdf

**If you are a current or reinstatement eligible Career SES member or a graduate of an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) and your ECQs have been previously certified by OPM's Qualifications Review Board, you are not required to address the ECQs. However, you MUST address all mandatory TQs in your resume. Current and reinstatement eligible SES members, please include with your application a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) documenting your career appointment to the SES. SES CDP graduates, please include a copy of your OPM certificate.**

Executive Core Qualifications - Mandatory

You will be evaluated on the following Executive Core Qualifications:

ECQ 1 - LEADING CHANGE: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.
Leadership Competencies: Creativity and Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, and Vision

ECQ 2 - LEADING PEOPLE: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
Leadership Competencies: Conflict Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others, and Team Building

ECQ 3 - RESULTS DRIVEN: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high- quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
Leadership Competencies: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, and Technical Credibility

ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.
Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, and Technology Management

ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS: This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.
Leadership Competencies: Partnering, Political Savvy, and Influencing/Negotiating

These competencies are the foundation for success in each of the Executive Core Qualifications: Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Integrity/Honesty, Written Communication, Continual Learning, and Public Service Motivation.

Detailed information on the Executive Core Qualifications is available at http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/qualify.asp

Technical Qualifications - Mandatory

You will be evaluated on teh following Technical Qualifications:

TQ1:Demonstrated experience in analyzing complex academic issues and providing advice to the private sector or to government entities in matters affecting national interests or matters that directly impact the viability of large organizations. Demonstrated experience in advising senior level officials on important academic issues in homeland security and campus resilience issues.
TQ2. Demonstrated management abilities involving both policy, administrative, and engagement activities in an agency. Demonstrated ability to work with larger academic community to evaluate and develop and/or change agency objectives, and programs.

FAILURE TO MEET OR FULLY ADDRESS EACH MANDATORY EXECUTIVE CORE AND TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS IN THE 5 PAGE RESUME WILL ELIMINATE A CANDIDATE FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

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 or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.

Education

No positive education is required for this position.

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 "Employee 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. ( https://www.opm.gov/news/releases/2016/08/newly-established-leave-policy-gives-disabled-veterans-more-time-to-address-medical-issues-1/ )

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for Top Secret/SCI clearance as a condition of placement in this Special Sensitive position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Veteran's Preference - Veteran's Preference does NOT apply to the SES positions.

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

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.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12654 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.

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.

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

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, education and experience. Your resume will be evaluated by an SES rating and ranking panel, and afterwards, highly qualified candidates may undergo an interview and a reference check. The DHS Executive Resources Board (ERB) will review results and make recommendations on final selections to the appointing authority where final interviews and reference checks may occur. Only the selectee will be required to write Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) narratives. Unless you have already been certified by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB) in the past, your ECQs must be certified by the QRB before appointment can occur.

Please be advised candidates who are unable to meet or fully address each of the five mandatory ECQs and the two TQs in the 5 page resume will eliminate a candidate from further consideration.

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 onduty. False statements on any part of the
application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

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

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

Your Resume, must be 5 pages, which incorporates both ECQ and TQ responses;

A complete Occupational Questionnaire.

Are you a current or reinstatement eligible SES member? You must provide a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your career appointment to the SES.

Are you a graduate from an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program? - Candidates who have successfully completed an Office of Personnel Management approved SES Candidate Development Program must submit a copy of their certification. Your status must be clearly stated in your resume.

Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? You must 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

FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS BY THE CLOSING DATE WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF FURTHER CONSIDERATION.