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Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Specialist

Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Secret Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Joining the Secret Service, Office of Protective Operations, Special Operations Division, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Unit allows you to work in an elite federal law enforcement agency providing challenging and rewarding support securing the airspace for USSS protectees and protected sites. This position starts at a salary of $94,199 (GS-12 step 1) with potential to $145,617 (GS-13, step 10). For more information on the Secret Service click here. 

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
08/11/2023 to 08/25/2023
Salary
$94,199 to - $122,459 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
Washington, DC
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - 50% - 75%
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13 - GS-13 - Full Performance
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Announcement number
OPO-RMA319-23-MP
Control number
742828700

Duties

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The selectee will serve as a Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Specialist in the Office of Protective Operations, Special Operations Division, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Unit. Typical work assignments include:

  • Utilizing and operating a variety of fixed, mobile, portable, and other C-UAS sensor systems, to detect, identify, track, and mitigate a threat UAS and/or the UAS operator. Assisting in the set- up/break-down, sensor data analysis/interpretation, and operation of various C-UAS systems to include portable radar systems, cameras, detection systems, and mitigation solutions.

  • Referring to and complying with all applicable regulatory and procedural guides; maintaining levels of proficiency and skill to ensure operational currency on applicable counter unmanned aircraft system technologies.

  • Coordinating counter unmanned aircraft system mission with various Federal, state, local, tribal law enforcement agencies, DHS/ USSS units, U.S. and foreign air traffic control facilities, and U.S. and foreign government offices/coordination centers.

  • Initiating, preparing, and/or maintaining files that include operational records, track information, video files, and information reports which may be utilized in the preparation of case materials for the prosecution of suspects in support of a law enforcement investigation. Using and protecting classified systems, information, and documents.

Apply for this exciting opportunity within the C-UAS Unit to serve a critical role in securing the airspace from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and providing early warning of UAS threats.  You will operate various C-UAS systems, work with the Unit to operationalize comprehensive C-UAS security plans, and travel in support of the USSS protective mission. For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. citizenship is required.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment:

If selected for this position, you will be required to:

  • Obtain and maintain a top secret Tier 5 clearance. For more information visit OPM Mythbuster Page.
  • Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.
  • Submit to a polygraph examination prior to your appointment.
  • Complete a pre-employment medical examination (including vision, hearing, cardiovascular and mobility of extremities) by an authorized Government physician and be determined physically fit to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties. You will be required to undergo regular physical examinations and to maintain a level of physical fitness in accordance with the standards and policies of this agency.
  • May experience some discomforts associated with the work environment, while conducting protective advances to set up and operate portable radar equipment in remote areas.
  • Work demands physical traits and mental strains associated with the air traffic control occupation.
  • Incumbent must have the ability to remain calm in crisis situations that may occur and during long periods of tension or fatigue.
  • Incumbent is required to remain on duty until properly relieved and may perform substantial amounts of irregular overtime.
  • Incumbent must maintain established physical requirements.
  • Some physical activity (e.g. walking, standing, climbing, bending, and heavy lifting) may be conducted on protective advances to survey and set up portable radar equipment in remote areas.
  • Incumbent works in a setting that is designed to support the agency's 24-hours, seven days per week operational center and which occupies isolated and confining space.

Qualifications

You qualify for the GS-12 level (starting salary $94,199) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level performing such duties as: airspace security, facility or base security, protection, law enforcement, operational planning, threat assessment or tracking, or aviation experience, and have general experience working with unmanned aircraft systems, radar/sensor operations, or counter-unmanned aircraft systems. 

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.

Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current competitive service employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50, "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to comply.

Qualifications Must Be Met: The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

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

No education requirement at this level.

Additional information

Building on a Tradition of Excellence and Meeting the Challenges of the Future The Secret Service is a premier law enforcement organization with two critical national security missions: protect our nation's leaders and to conduct criminal investigations. Our team members continue a tradition of excellence - whether investigating financial crime or protecting national and visiting foreign leaders. In the Secret Service, we serve the country with duty, loyalty, justice, integrity and courage. In the Secret Service, we:

  • Protect the President, the Vice President, and other leaders; investigate threats against them; and safeguard their residences and other facilities
  • Plan and implement security designs for National Special Security Events
  • Investigate financial crimes including fraud, identity theft and computer-based attacks on banking or telecommunications infrastructure

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 Personnel Management (OPM) guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

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.

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 will require a credit check after a conditional offer of employment has been accepted.

Other incentives may be authorized.

More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade and unit occur.

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

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

The Secret Service prohibits employees from having visible body markings (including but not limited to tattoos, body art, and branding) on the head, face, neck, hand and fingers (any area below the wrist bone) (exception: a single conservative and unobtrusive tattoo in the form of a ring is authorized on one finger).

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the duties of the position. A score will automatically be calculated based on your answers to the vacancy specific questions. All answers provided in the online process must be substantiated by your resume. 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:

  • Ability to communicate essential information clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Knowledge of Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems equipment and technology and of tactics and procedures for UAS operations to include detection, identification, tracking, and mitigation.
  • Ability to work professionally with external mission partners.
  • Knowledge of security or protection operations.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85.0 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must be 1) a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. Veteran’s preference does not apply under Merit Promotion procedures. View VEOA information on Feds Hire Vets.

An interview may be required for this position.  If an interview is required, failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.  

Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3).


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