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Emergency Management Specialist

Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Secret Service
Operational Communications & Integration Division

Summary

Joining the Secret Service, Office of Technical Operations will allow you to support protective operations by overseeing and maintaining advanced communication systems and mobile command units.

For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/16/2026 to 01/23/2026
Salary
$63,795 to - $118,204 per year

Salary listed reflects the General Schedule (Base) table and, if applicable, will be adjusted to include the locality pay of the worksite location.

Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 13
Locations
FEW vacancies in the following locations:
Washington, DC
Miami, FL
Chicago, IL
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
50% 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
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
TEC-KG-12858910-26-MP
Control number
854745100

Duties

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The selectee will serve as an Emergency Management Specialist in the Office of Technical Operations. Typical work assignments include:

  • Serves as a key member of the OCI team in Multi-Agency Communications Centers, Unified Command Posts, and Site Security Rooms, enacting communications plans and coordinating with Federal, State, and local partners for protective operations and National Special Security Events.
  • Develops, coordinates, and implements emergency management and continuity of operations plans, including preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities; conduct HSEEP-compliant exercises; and ensure essential functions continue during all hazards.
  • Collects, analyzes, and disseminates operational information; maintains liaison with internal and external stakeholders; represents TEC in conferences, exercises, and briefings; and ensure effective communication and information-sharing with law enforcement and public safety partners.
  • Operates and maintains complex communications systems (e.g., LMR, DEN, satellite, secure networks), supports integration of video/sensor data, and provides technical support for communications equipment.
  • Manages program records, budgets, and maintenance for Mobile Command Posts; develops and review policies, procedures, and continuity plans; prepares reports and executive correspondence; and lead training and awareness activities to support OCI's strategic objectives.
Apply for this exciting opportunity to provide guidance and support of a variety of missions within the Office of Technical Operations. This Emergency Management Specialist position starts at a base salary of $63,795.00, GS-11 step 1, with promotion potential to a base salary $118,204.00 GS-13 step 10.

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
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 Full-Scope polygraph examination prior to your appointment.
  • Submit a credit check after a conditional offer of employment has been accepted.
  • Possess a valid CDL at the time of appointment or obtain a CDL within 12 months after onboarding.
  • Perform irregular shift work with adjustment in shift with little to no advance notification.
  • Undergo and pass a physical fitness assessment.
  • This position requires frequent travel aboard commercial and/or military aircraft.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To be considered qualified for this position you must meet the following qualification requirements for the respective grade level in which you are applying.

You qualify for the GS-11 level (starting base salary $63,795) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level performing such duties as:

  • Participating in emergency operations or exercises as part of a multi-agency team.
  • Contributing to the development and revision of emergency management or continuity of operations plans.
  • Coordinating with internal and external stakeholders in the delivery of emergency management related programs and assistance.
  • Troubleshooting and resolving complex technical issues to ensure uninterrupted communications during emergency operations.
  • Preparing detailed reports and executive correspondence to communicate program status and provide recommendations.

OR

You have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related, from an accredited college or university that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform this work. (NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial) to support your claim).

OR

You have a combination of specialized experience (less than one year) and graduate education (beyond 2 years of graduate education), that when combined equals 100% of the qualification requirement. Note: Only graduate education in excess of two years (generally 36 semester hours) may be used in this calculation. (NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial) and your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet the experience to support your claim.

You qualify for the GS-12 level (starting base salary $76,463) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level performing duties such as:

  • Collaborating with multiple agencies to ensure timely and effective information sharing during critical incidents.
  • Planning exercises to maintain continuity of essential functions during critical incidents.
  • Organizing complex information to facilitate coordinated response and informed decision-making during critical incidents
  • Providing technical support for a wide range of communications equipment and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure reliable and continuous communications during emergency situations.
  • Leading training and awareness activities to advance organizational strategic objectives and ensure efficient program management.
You qualify for the GS-13 level (starting base salary $90,925) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level performing duties such as:
  • Implementing and managing communications plans and coordinating with Federal, State, and local partners in support of protective operations and National Special Security Events.
  • Evaluating organizational preparedness and implementing effective continuity strategies in emergency situations.
  • Communicating information with law enforcement and public safety partners to promote coordinated response efforts and improve situational awareness.
  • Analyzing and interpreting emergency management-related directives, regulations, policies, laws, standards, and guidance.
  • Managing and coordinating the collection, analysis, and presentation of complex data/reports and providing recommendations to senior management and/or other stakeholders.

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.

The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

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.

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

For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for a position by substituting education or training for experience, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

Additional information

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.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to HRsupport@usss.dhs.gov.

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.

This position is covered by Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUO) and additional compensation may be paid at the rate of up to 25% of the base salary.

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).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. 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. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • First Response
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Manages and Organizes Information
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork
  • Technical Problem Solving

The USA Hire 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.

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.

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).

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

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