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Security Specialist

Department of State
Department of State - Agency Wide
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, High Threat Programs Directorate, Office of Special Programs (DS/HTP/SP).  You will serve as the DS liaison to the Department and interagency coordinator for personnel recovery planning in support of crisis and contingency operations. 

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/12/2024 to 04/26/2024
Salary
$139,395 to - $181,216 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
Rosslyn, VA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Travel, both foreign and domestic, may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
DS-2024-0082
Control number
786545000

Duties

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  • Develops/supports interagency collaborative efforts to synchronize all potential resources and capabilities, consistent with Presidential Policy Directive 30 (PPD 30), Hostage Recovery Activities and Personnel Recovery Efforts.
  • Participates in and recommends DS policy development and implementation; and provides expertise in the planning and coordination of operational responses to isolating events, threats, and incidents through the liaison with other USG entities.
  • Domestically develops post isolation support protocols, e.g., after care and support to individuals held captive, to synchronize responsibilities and capabilities of USG agencies supporting embassies worldwide.
  • Collaborates with DS leadership and staff to identify program deficiencies, disseminates best practices and develops lessons learned criteria among the interagency. Works with stakeholders in resolving policy and operational/administrative issues.
  • Drafts a wide variety of program related documents, i.e., policy, memos, cables, papers, Executive Secretariats (requests for other agency support), and reports. Prepares and provides briefings for decision-makers and partner nations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. 

NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement.

Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F.

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience developing, assessing and implementing strategic public relations (PR) initiatives focused on security operations at diplomatic missions.
  • Experience overseeing, implementing and administering a crisis and/or recovery program.
  • Experience developing written policies and protocols which address hostage engagement strategies.
  • Experience analyzing data and developing metrics to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of crisis/recovery operations. 

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-14 position.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

  • For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or OAA@state.gov.
  • If eligible, telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. 
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.  If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days.  Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions. 

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume will be conducted and compared against your responses to the assessment questions to determine if you are qualified for this job.  Note:  Responses to questions that are not fully supported by the information in your resume may result in adjustments to your rating. 

Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements, as described in the “Qualifications” section of this announcement, will be assigned a score between 70 and 100.  The assessment is used to measure the degree in which your background matches the competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:

  • Knowledge of security concepts, regulations and procedures.
  • Skill in assessing the effectiveness of crisis management efforts.
  • Ability to convey complex data to a variety of stakeholders.
  • Ability to operate in a liaison capacity.

Applicants found to be among the top qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.  Qualified non-competitive candidates must be deemed best qualified based on the applicant assessment in order to be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.

Agency Career and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP and ICTAP) candidates must be rated "Well Qualified" for the position and earn a score of at least 85 (when applicants are rated in a range of 70 to 100) to receive consideration for selection priority.


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