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Watch Officer, Senate Operations Center #5425

Legislative Branch
Senate
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Senate Sergeant at Arms is seeking a [insert Job Title]. The complete vacancy announcement and application can be found on the United States Senate Career Page at https://sen.gov/J5NY. This vacancy announcement closes at 7pm EST on the closing date. Late applications will not be accepted.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/30/2025 to 07/14/2025
Salary
$126,372 to - $175,868 per year
Pay scale & grade
AD 00
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Washington, DC
Few vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - N/A
Relocation expenses reimbursed
NoThe Senate Sergeant at Arms does not pay for relocation expenses.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
0
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
req672
Control number
839788900

Duties

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Obtains, analyzes, and processes information to determine what is pertinent to the event/incident and the stakeholders receiving the information; identify information shortfalls, critical issues, and sources for obtaining the required information. Maintains situational awareness of planned or unplanned events and incidents that may affect the personnel, facilities, or business of the United States Senate. Acts in the SAA’s best interest during any shift, takes responsibility over the watch during all hours, serves as the point of contact for After Action Reports, passes relevant and important information up the chain of command, ensures equipment and systems are in working order, and ensures adequate coverage of shift operations with qualified/trained personnel. Coordinates with other Command, Operations, and Fusion centers and designated stakeholders for clarifying information on potential impacts to Senate Members, staff, facilities, and operations. Develops and delivers, as directed, briefings to Senior Staff on the current Senate operational environment. Collects and analyzes information from a variety of sources, information feeds and contacts thereby developing Senate - specific situational awareness used in standard and specialized reports, summaries and briefings for the SOC, senior Senate Officers, and staff as directed. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • For conditions of employment and citizenship requirements, please visit the job announcement on the United States Senate Career Page at https://sen.gov/J5NY.

Qualifications

Other Duties/ Responsibilities:

  • Provides emergency/crisis support and is subject to recall to the Senate Operations Center primary location, an alternate Continuity of Government facility, or telework site during emergency operational support conditions, training, or 
    exercises. Such incidents may require the employee to work extended hours and days outside the normal work schedule.

Required Work Experience: 3-5 years

Required Special Skills/ Knowledge:

  • Ability to remain calm and provide accurate details during stressful situations.
  • Skill and ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with a wide variety of personnel through various methods for the purposes of receiving, reporting, and coordinating information and communication plus providing input or revising guidance and procedures.
  • Skill to recognize critical, time sensitive information from the flow of routine information and to take immediate action to alert appropriate personnel.
  • Knowledge of the relationships between Federal, State, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement, intelligence, and emergency services operations.
  • Knowledge of a wide range of crisis, incident management, and security concepts, principles, and practices to independently review and analyze related requests for information, incidents, and notifications.
  • Knowledge of principles and current planning methods for continuity and business recovery operations, and emergency management.
  • Knowledge of analytical skills in the area of opensource searches.
  • Knowledge of using a Common Operating Picture in an incident-based operations center environment.
  • Ability to develop effective working relationships with Senate staff, local, state, and federal law enforcement and security agencies.
  • Ability to exercise tact and discretion with others regarding sensitive and confidential issues.
  • Ability to analyze difficult and complex issues and make recommendations for action.
  • Ability to conduct research and prepare analyses and reports.
  • Ability to obtain Incident Command Systems (ICS)-100, 200, 700, and 800
  • As part of our hiring process, we may conduct a skills assessment to better understand an applicant’s proficiency in key areas relevant to the role. 

Working Conditions:

  • Since this position requires onsite presence in support of the U.S. Senate when in session, this position requires the employee to be available and prepared to work during government shutdowns, in inclement weather, on holidays, and during late night, overnight, and weekend sessions. In the context of government furloughs, this position is considered excepted.
  • This position directly supports essential services of the U.S. Senate. As such, this position requires the employee be available and prepared to work during government shutdowns, in inclement weather, on holidays, weekends, and during late nights to ensure essential services to the Senate continue without interruption. In the context of government furloughs, this position is considered excepted.
  • No exceptional physical demands

Security Clearance:

  • This position requires that the applicant obtain and maintain a Top-Secret U.S. Government security clearance.
  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens in order for the SAA to submit your application for a security clearance.

Desired Qualifications: 

  • Experience monitoring and synthesizing data from classified and open-source intelligence, situational awareness platforms, and emergency alert systems.
  • Strong skills in drafting and delivering timely situation reports (SITREPs), briefings, and notifications to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Ability to work effectively in high-pressure, time-sensitive situations and adapt to rapidly changing operational environments.
  • Demonstrated experience working in 24/7/365 operations, including shift work, holidays, and weekends.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to clearly convey complex information to leadership and peers.
  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in relevant tools and systems (HSIN, Microsoft Office Suite, mass notification platforms).
  • Familiarity with the operations, geography, and security posture of the U.S. Capitol complex or prior experience supporting Congressional or federal agency missions.

Education

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, homeland security, or emergency management.

Additional information

The Sergeant at Arms is an equal opportunity employer in accordance with the requirements of Senate rules, regulations, and applicable Federal Laws. This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Decisions to grant reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Please email employment@saa.senate.gov with “Applicant Accommodation” in the subject line. No moving, relocation or pre-employment travel expenses will be paid for this position, or while in application for this position.

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 by a panel on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education. Highly qualified candidates may be interviewed and a reference check conducted.

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