Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals. Note: Federal employees with permanent status or individuals eligible for special appointing authorities may also apply to Job Announcement #26R-SB-313869-MPA-OPS

The Associate Director of Security Operations is responsible for leading and directing the physical security program used throughout the Smithsonian Institution. 

In this position, you will:

1. Lead all core supervisory functions such as hiring, training, assigning work, evaluating performance, and guiding personnel actions while ensuring high-quality, complete work products. 
2. Provide executive direction for programs and special projects, driving efficiency, operational improvements, and alignment with organizational goals. 
3. Develop recommendations on organizational structure, personnel alignment, delegated authorities, and program improvements.
4. Brief and represent senior OPS and institutional leaders on security and management requirements that affect operations, including programs, procedures, staffing, contracting, and budget planning.
5. Coordinate the work of subordinate security managers to produce timely security plans and policies, conduct tabletop exercises and disaster‑response drills, and ensure readiness for potential emergencies.
   
   

Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment

Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level in the Federal Service.  For this position, specialized experience is defined as: 

1. Providing executive level oversight to a large workforce of professional, technical, administrative, and sworn law enforcement/protective personnel
2. Developing, implementing, and directing law enforcement, security, and emergency management programs that protect collections, staff, and visitors.
3. Integrating law enforcement and security operations with risk management, threat mitigation, incident response, and continuity planning in support of mission-critical objectives
4. Providing briefings and analytical support to senior leadership, AND
5. Identifying staffing and resource needs for an organization

 
Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual 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.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

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 evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above.  The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

1. Performance management, talent development, and employee‑relations skills to effectively guide, support, and evaluate staff.
2. Skill in strategic planning, organizational analysis, and program‑management  to evaluate operations, recommend structural improvements, and oversee daily
   administrative functions. 
3. Skill in oral and written communication.
4. Leadership
5. Program Management

Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:

Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job-related competencies above.

Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job-related competencies above.

Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job-related competencies above to a substantive degree.

This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher. Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position.

Important Note:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.