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UAS Security Program Advisor

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Deputy Associate Administrator for Security and Hazardous Materials Safety, ASH-2.
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Serves as the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) principal expert for coordination of critical security policy, operational and programmatic issues arising from the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS). Responsible for formulating and coordinating the FAA position on those UAS security issues which involve multiple program/functional areas within the FAA and all levels of government, external stakeholders, and industry partners.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
12/26/2019 to 01/02/2020
Salary
$113,116 to - $175,372 per year

The salary listed above does not include locality. Locality will be determined based on the duty location of the selectee.

Pay scale & grade
FV L
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
FAA Location Negotiable Upon Request, United States
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - The job may require travel from time- to-time, but not on a regular basis. The travel may be for training or other work-related duties.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes— - Permanent Change of Station (PCS) - Employees with status: A fixed relocation payment of $27,000 will be paid.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
NA
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
AWA-ASH-20-0012SC-65303
Control number
555256000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Also open to former excepted service federal employees eligible under an interchange agreement. Current or former federal employees must have met a one year probationary period or trial period in the competitive or excepted service. Applications will be accepted from preference eligibles and veterans who are honorably discharged from the Armed Forces after completing at least 3 years of continuous active duty service.

Duties

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The incumbent reports directly to the Deputy Associate Administrator for Security and Hazardous Materials Safety, ASH-2. Serves as the focal point for the integration of those UAS security related program issues beyond the scope of the individual component programs and ensures agency actions, engagement and messaging, regarding all aspects of UAS security, are aligned.

Leads internal FAA workgroups to formulate agency positions and achieve consensus on critical security policy elements/issues that cut across programmatic lines, for which no one LOB/SO is exclusively responsible. Responsible for socializing those positions within the broader community of federal agencies and private sector participants to help drive national consensus. Provides expert-level program assessments that serve as the basis for new initiatives, major policy decisions and long-range planning. Develops and provides the strategic direction for UAS security coordination activities at all levels of government and is expected to lead interactions with senior DOT/FAA leadership, other Federal agencies, members of Congress, state and local officials and the media on high-profile UAS security issues.

Serves as the external interface and primary representative of the agency collaborating with other Federal Agencies, security partners, and industry stakeholders on UAS security issues affecting multiple Lines of Business or Staff Offices (LOB/SOs), drawing on them for programmatic support and information to ensure that FAA communicates a coordinated policy and message. Represents the FAA on UAS security concerns in public fora, domestic and international conferences and meetings, and must be fully prepared at all times to support top agency executives in Congressional hearings/testimony on any aspect of security concerns as a result of UAS implementation/integration, when called upon to do so.

Maintains expert knowledge of legislative/congressional, public policy security issues, and related agency positions impacting UAS program implementation, their commercial impacts/significance and public perceptions and concerns regarding use, safety and security of UAS. Develops guidance, procedures and approaches for addressing UAS security concerns, taking into consideration Congress, FAA, organizational policies, government-wide rules and regulations, and industry standards.

Actively involved with/aware of related policies, Administration priorities and public policy emphases at Department of Transportation level and skilled to integrate policy and program priorities across multiple organizations and organizational interests. Ensure major policy and programmatic security issues addressed effectively consider/incorporate, consonant with Administration positions, and transportation initiatives.

Informed expert on issues specifically with Departments of Defense, Energy, Justice, and Homeland Security for implementing the mandates relating to new Counter-UAS (C-UAS) authorities provided to DOD and DOE in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 and 2017, and to DHS and DOJ in the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act; this implementation requires extensive coordination with the FAA.

Establishes/maintains effective liaison with internal stakeholders having major programmatic responsibilities and impact on UAS implementation, to include the Air Traffic Organization, Airports, NextGen, Aviation Safety, Chief Counsel, Policy and International Affairs and Environment, Government and Industry Affairs, and Communications for the purpose of fully identifying, addressing, prioritizing and managing those UAS security issues requiring integration across programmatic and organizational lines.

Interactions with top-level program managers and executives within the FAA, similar levels in other Federal agencies, and industry partners for the purpose of coordinating resolution of major security policy/program security issues derived from the implementation of UAS in the NAS.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents)
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.

Qualifications

Candidates must have one year (52 weeks) of SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (FV-K or FG/GS-15) that is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as:

  • Experience advising senior-level officials on UAS security matters that may impact aviation safety; Developing an organization’s position on UAS security concerns for Congressional and industry engagement; AND Engaging with intra-agency, Interagency and private sector partners on UAS security concerns.

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; or (3) alphabetical, and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration.

You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered.

Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification.

*Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position.*

Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA.

**All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.**

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.

Preview job questionnaire

Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies.

This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.

NOTES:

1) As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each Leadership and Management Dimension and Technical Requirement.

In lieu of providing a narrative response in the text box listed below each Leadership and Management Dimension and/or Technical Requirement, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a human resource specialist as appropriate.

2) This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about core compensation is available on the following website: http://jobs.faa.gov/FAACoreCompensation.htm .

3) This Level 4 (Special Sensitive) position requires favorable adjudication of a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.

4) Some, all, or none of the applicants may be interviewed.

5) This announcement is limited for the receipt of applications. Once at least 100 applications are received, it will close at 11:59p EST on that date, or on the initial closing date, whichever occurs first.



This is not a bargaining unit position.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay , COLA

How you will be evaluated

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



IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

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