Securing Travel, Protecting People - At the Transportation Security Administration, we serve in a high-stakes environment to safeguard the American way of life. In cities across the country, we secure airports, seaports, railroads, highways, and public transit systems, thus protecting our transportation infrastructure and ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce. For additional information about our agency please: Click Here.
Summary
Securing Travel, Protecting People - At the Transportation Security Administration, we serve in a high-stakes environment to safeguard the American way of life. In cities across the country, we secure airports, seaports, railroads, highways, and public transit systems, thus protecting our transportation infrastructure and ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce. For additional information about our agency please: Click Here.
All U.S. Citizens.
This position is in the Transportation Security Executive Service (TSES) and is located in Springfield, Virginia.
The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY. Resumes must capture the critical elements of Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and address the Professional/Technical Qualifications included in the Qualifications section.
The Deputy Assistant Administrator (DAA), Surface Operations functions as a senior management official and technical expert for TSA on matters involving surface security operations in Security Operations, in concert with the Assistant Administrator (AA), Surface Operations. The Surface Division uses a threat based, risk management approach to develop strategies, policies, and programs to reduce the security risks and vulnerabilities associated with surface transportation operations. Particular focus/attention is given to creating the most effective and efficient security solutions for the surface transportation network. The Surface Division includes Mass Transit and Passenger Rail; Freight Rail; Highway and Motor Carrier; and Pipeline branches. In this regard, the incumbent is responsible for strategic input for surface security operations management and services across the surface transportation sector. The responsibilities of the position not only have agency-wide impact and influence, but national impact and scope. As the DAA, Surface Operations, you will provide innovative and expert leadership in the implementation of surface transportation security operations policies, procedures, and operational activities in accordance with applicable Federal and Departmental policies, procedures, laws, and directives.
Major duties include:
Building strategic industry partnerships, engaging trusted industry operators and advisory groups on a regular basis.
Overseeing the development of grants guidance documents and proposal evaluation processes. Effectively influences the approval of Transportation Security Grant funding to reduce the risk of terrorist attacks on the surface transportation network. Ensuring a risk-based methodology is used to establish transportation grant funding priorities. Being mindful of current grant appropriations levels, recommends to the AA for Surface Operations and the Security Operations Executive Assistant Administrator (EAA) and Deputy Executive Assistant Administrator (DEAA) which investments to fund and at what level consistent with available grant appropriations.
Monitoring the progress of projects funded by transportation security grants. Maintaining a capable, knowledgeable, and well-trained network of surface transportation security professionals.
Providing expert security guidance to industry association partners and government sectors on surface security operations issues. Working closely with surface industry partners to coordinate national surface operations development. Providing expert transportation security information at industry-sponsored conferences/meetings.
Maintaining a network of surface industry operators for purposes of ensuring that there is current and consistent information regarding TSA policies and activities and their impact on surface transportation partners. As appropriate, the you will be responsible for pursuing industry partner buy-in and establishing mutual accountability.
Serving as an industry surface security operations expert for TSA. Understanding and appropriately interpreting transportation security regulations, and developing and facilitating the implementation of surface security operations and regulations; maintaining awareness and/or knowledge of the most current, impacting, and proposed/enacted legislation in the area of surface security.
You must complete a favorable Tier 5 Background Investigation (T5).
You must pass Drug Screening, subject to random drug tests.
You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.
Disclosure of your financial information is required.
You must meet the qualification requirements of this position no later than the closing date of the job opportunity announcement.
Qualifications
As a basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Professional/Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications listed below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the equivalent of the GS-15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state and local government, the private sector, or non-governmental organizations.
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 Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs) listed below. We recommend that your resume emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of programs managed, and your program accomplishments, including results of your actions.
The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY. Therefore, evidence of each ECQ and PTQ must be CLEARLY REFLECTED in your resume.
If you are a current or reinstatement eligible Career SES/TSES 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 PTQs in your resume. Current and reinstatement eligible SES/TSES members please include with your application a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) documenting your career appointment to the SES/TSES. SES CDP graduates, please include a copy of your OPM certificate.
Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs):
1. Knowledge of surface transportation security standards, regulations and transportation grant program sufficient to manage a national program.
2. Knowledge of the relationships between Department of Homeland Security components and programs and private sector organizations and/or other governmental departments, bureaus, and equivalent organizations in monitoring, networking, and managing surface transportation security.
3. Knowledge of government crisis management plans contingency measures/conditions, and risk/vulnerability assessment methodologies.
Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs):
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.
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.
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.
ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN. This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.
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.
FAILURE TO MEET OR FULLY ADDRESS EACH EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATION AND PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS IN THE 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, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
DRUG TESTING: You must pass a pre-employment drug test. In addition, you may be subject to random drug testing during employment.
SECURITY CLEARANCE: This position requires a TS/SCI (Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information) clearance that must be completed prior to appointment. You will be subject to a 5-year periodic investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.
MOBILITY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created in the wake of 9/11 to strengthen the security of the nation's transportation systems while ensuring the freedom of movement for people and commerce. TSA employs a risk-based strategy to secure U.S. transportation systems, with nearly 50,000 Transportation Security Officers, each day at more than 450 airports nationwide. The agency continuously sets the standard for excellence in transportation security through its people, processes, technologies and use of intelligence to drive operations.
As a member of the TSES, you may be subject to frequent changes in posts of duty and positions. Mobility is a condition of employment, so you must be prepared to accept, without objection, the judgment of your superiors concerning reassignments for operational and/or career development purposes, or for other reasons determined to be in the best interest of the Transportation Security Administration.
Additional information
The TSA, an excepted service agency, was established by Public Law 107-71, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA), on November 19, 2001. ATSA provides TSA with the authority to modify and develop its own human capital program, provided such modifications are consistent with 49 USC 40122.
This is an excepted service position. However, there is an interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and TSA that enables Career TSES members who have been approved by the Qualifications Review Board at OPM to qualify for Senior Executive Service (SES) positions without additional competition.
You will be required to serve a probationary period of one year unless you previously completed the probationary period in a SES/TSES position.
When you enter on duty, you will be required to complete a Public Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 278. You will need to provide this information annually.
Veteran's Preference does NOT apply SES/TSES positions.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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 to which your resume shows that you possess the Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) outlined in the “Qualifications” section of the Job Opportunity Announcement. Your resume may be evaluated by an SES/TSES rating and ranking panel, and afterwards, highly qualified candidates may undergo an interview and a reference check. The TSA Executive Resources Council (ERC) will review results and make recommendations on final selections to the appointing authority. 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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
1. Your Resume, which incorporates both Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) responses.
2. Associated Questionnaire.
3. Current SES/TSES members: You must provide a copy of the specific SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, which documents conversion or appointment, without time limitation, to the SES/TSES (except current TSA employees).
4. Reinstatement Eligible SES/TSES members: You must provide a copy of the specific SF-50 which documents conversion or appointment, without time limitation, to your formal SES/TSES position as well as any Federal agency document which confirms your successful completion of an SES/TSES probationary period. (Note: a second SF-50 dated more than a year after SES/TSES conversion or appointment, which documents continued unlimited assignment to the same SES/TSES position, will suffice to document completion of the SES/TSES probationary period).
5. Graduates of an OPM approved Candidate Development Program (CDP) which resulted in certification by the OPM QRB: You must provide a copy of a QRB endorsed program graduation certificate.
6. If you are a current or reinstatement eligible Career SES/TSES 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.
7. Non-SES/TSES members: You must provide a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (except current TSA employees).
NOTE: An award SF-50 (i.e. cash or time off award) does not indicate grade, pay band or level and will not be accepted.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL OF THE FOLLOWING MUST BE RECEIVED IN OUR OFFICE BY 11:59 PM ET (Eastern Time) ON THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS JOB OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS INCLUDES BOTH ONLINE AND FAXED APPLICATION MATERIALS. IF WE DO NOT RECEIVE ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION BY THE CLOSING DATE, YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
1. Resume which incorporates both ECQ and PTQ responses. Uploaded resumes will be accepted for this position. If you would like to create and submit your resume using USAJOBS Resume Builder, please follow the link provided. Click Here: USAJOBS Resume Builder.
2. Applicable supporting documents (see Required Documents Section).
Click the "Apply Online" button and follow the prompts to apply. We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the TSA ServeU Help Desk before the closing of this announcement for alternative options on how to apply. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, live agents are not available to answer telephone calls received at the TSA ServeU Help Desk. Please email your question or concern to HelpDesk@mailserver-hraccess.tsa.dhs.gov or fax 1-877-872-7993, or by phone at 1-877-872-7990 and leave a voicemail. The TSA ServeU Help Desk is open between the hours of 8:00AM – 8:00PM ET Monday – Friday ET, Closed on Weekends.
DHS/Transportation Security Administration
DO NOT SEND POSTAL MAIL
Merrifield, Virginia 22180
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
1. Your Resume, which incorporates both Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) responses.
2. Associated Questionnaire.
3. Current SES/TSES members: You must provide a copy of the specific SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, which documents conversion or appointment, without time limitation, to the SES/TSES (except current TSA employees).
4. Reinstatement Eligible SES/TSES members: You must provide a copy of the specific SF-50 which documents conversion or appointment, without time limitation, to your formal SES/TSES position as well as any Federal agency document which confirms your successful completion of an SES/TSES probationary period. (Note: a second SF-50 dated more than a year after SES/TSES conversion or appointment, which documents continued unlimited assignment to the same SES/TSES position, will suffice to document completion of the SES/TSES probationary period).
5. Graduates of an OPM approved Candidate Development Program (CDP) which resulted in certification by the OPM QRB: You must provide a copy of a QRB endorsed program graduation certificate.
6. If you are a current or reinstatement eligible Career SES/TSES 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.
7. Non-SES/TSES members: You must provide a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (except current TSA employees).
NOTE: An award SF-50 (i.e. cash or time off award) does not indicate grade, pay band or level and will not be accepted.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL OF THE FOLLOWING MUST BE RECEIVED IN OUR OFFICE BY 11:59 PM ET (Eastern Time) ON THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS JOB OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS INCLUDES BOTH ONLINE AND FAXED APPLICATION MATERIALS. IF WE DO NOT RECEIVE ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION BY THE CLOSING DATE, YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
1. Resume which incorporates both ECQ and PTQ responses. Uploaded resumes will be accepted for this position. If you would like to create and submit your resume using USAJOBS Resume Builder, please follow the link provided. Click Here: USAJOBS Resume Builder.
2. Applicable supporting documents (see Required Documents Section).
Click the "Apply Online" button and follow the prompts to apply. We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the TSA ServeU Help Desk before the closing of this announcement for alternative options on how to apply. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, live agents are not available to answer telephone calls received at the TSA ServeU Help Desk. Please email your question or concern to HelpDesk@mailserver-hraccess.tsa.dhs.gov or fax 1-877-872-7993, or by phone at 1-877-872-7990 and leave a voicemail. The TSA ServeU Help Desk is open between the hours of 8:00AM – 8:00PM ET Monday – Friday ET, Closed on Weekends.
DHS/Transportation Security Administration
DO NOT SEND POSTAL MAIL
Merrifield, Virginia 22180
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
