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Security Specialist

Department of Homeland Security
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Infrastructure Security Division (ISD)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Who May Be Considered:

This position is located in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Infrastructure Security Division (ISD), Security Programs (SP), Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP).

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
08/04/2023 to 08/06/2023
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$84,546 to - $109,908 per year

The salary range listed reflects the GS base rate (not including locality). Upon selection, the salary will be adjusted to include locality.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)
Remote job
Yes
Telework eligible
Not applicable, this is a remote position.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
ISD-DE-12073577-23-RA
Control number
741286500

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Duties

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Joining CISA means being part of the team focused on securing the Nation's physical and cyber infrastructure against threats to public health and safety, economy, and national security; we Defend Today, Secure Tomorrow. Within CISA, the Infrastructure Security Division (ISD) focuses on protecting critical infrastructure from all hazards by managing risk and enhancing resilience through collaboration with the critical infrastructure community, which includes private sector owners, operators, and employees; state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) officials; and other federal agencies.

Visit www.cisa.gov to learn more about CISA and how you can be part of the team to Defend Today; Secure Tomorrow.

In this position, you will serve as a Security Specialist within the Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP)'s Technical Assistance Branch (TAB). The professional selected for this role will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of OBP's Current Operations Team. Typical work assignments include:

  • Attending TAB's Technology Integration Sections Technology Training Events and works closely with FBI Certified Public Safety Bomb Squads (PSBS) to improve the response and technical capabilities of bomb technicians;
  • Defining and implementing quality-focused evaluation measures, data collection processes, and methods
    for ongoing assessments of PSBS focused C-IED programs.
  • Implementing counter-IED strategies, solutions, programs, and products to address identified counter-IED knowledge, skill, and ability requirements of public and private sector stakeholders;
  • Conducting periodic evaluations of continuous functions to ensure the organization meets its stated goals and identifies areas where operational efficiency can be enhanced;
  • Staying up to date in directives such as the National Guidelines for Bomb Technicians (2023), the National Strategic Plan for U.S Bomb Squads (2018), Presidential Policy Directive 17 (PPD 17) Countering Improvise Explosive Devices (2013), and C-IED Implementation Plan (2020), as well as important issues related to emerging and evolving counter-IED needs from FSLTT and private sector stakeholders, internal CISA headquarters and regional offices, and research results from the academic community;
  • Working with internal CISA partners and external organizations to facilitate CIED programs through a variety of delivery methods, including, but not limited to, assessments, briefings, webinars, classroom instruction, virtual training, and web-based independent studies;
  • Coordinating with other federal programs to improve prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery activities to ensure counter-IED capability and capacity-building in communities. Works closely
    with Public Safety Bomb Squads and sometimes attends Technology Integration Events;
  • Assists in the preparation of decision papers, reports, and analyses on counter-IED program activities for
    Agency leadership. Writes memos, talking points, briefings, and other correspondence for senior
    Federal, DHS and Agency leadership;
  • Represents DHS, CISA, ISD, and OBP as a counter-IED subject matter expert and speaks for the DHS at
    national and international meetings, symposia, and conferences to address national counter-IED policies
    and programs.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • Complete the initial online assessment and USA Hire Assessment, if required.
  • Selective Service - Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service see http://www.sss.gov/
  • All Federal employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.
  • 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.
  • This position has been identified as a drug testing designated position (TDP) for purposes of the CISA's Drug-Free Workplace Program. All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to a drug test to screen for illicit/illegal drug use prior to receiving a final offer of employment. A final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result. After appointment, you may be subject to periodic random drug testing.
  • You must be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
  • One-year probationary period may be required.
  • This position may be designated as essential personnel. Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, and acts of terrorism or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations (5 U.S.C. 7501-7533 and 5 CFR Part 752, as applicable).
  • Interviews may be required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration. The interview process may consist of in-person or phone panel interview.

Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Specialized Experience necessary as noted below.

Specialized Experience for GS-13: You may qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level performing the following duties:

  1. Experience leading operations of FBI Hazardous Device School certificed Public Safety Bomb Squads (PSBS) and bomb technicians;
  2. Conducting Public Safety Explosive Detection Canine operations and their deployment with Public Safety Bomb technicians;
  3. Experience rendering safe and or removal of suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), incendiary devices, explosives;
  4. Presenting highly technical information to varied audiences at meetings, symposia, conferences and National Bomb Squad Commanders Advisory Board (NBSCAB) meetings;
  5. Preparing written materials such as decision papers, reports, and analyses on PSBS programs activities, memos, talking points, briefings and other correspondence.
NOTE: Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

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.

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

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Additional information

  • Promotion Potential: This position is at the full performance level.
  • One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy announcement. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
  • Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses WILL NOT be paid.
  • Other incentives may be authorized.
  • 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 has been designated EXCLUDED bargaining unit representation under the national security provision of 5 U.S.C. 7112(B)(6).
  • The salary range indicated in this announcement reflects the minimum base pay up to maximum base pay. The salary will be adjusted to include the locality pay for the selected duty location. General Schedule (GS) locality pay tables for all areas may be found on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website at: Salaries & Wages.
  • When entering a federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses. NOTE: Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire

Shared Certificate: When CISA completes their selections, the remaining list of qualified candidates may be shared with other DHS Component agencies who are hiring for similar positions. You will have an opportunity to opt-in if you would like your name, application materials, and assessment results shared to be considered for employment with other DHS Component agencies. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore other job opportunity announcements.

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 based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Accountability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Operations Management
  • Oral and Written Communication
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Problem Solving and Decision Making
  • Project Management
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Category Rating Procedures: If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:
  1. Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF), and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.
  2. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
  3. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (I/CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not I/CTAP eligible. View information about I/CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under I/CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. (This position is not considered scientific/professional.) Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on https://www.fedshirevets.gov

To preview the application questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12073577

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