Summary

The Executive Director, Analysis and Intake, Security Capabilities (SC), Transportation Security Administration (TSA) oversee and manages the day-to-day operations of four subordinate Divisions: Intake, Modeling & Capacity Analysis, Operations Improvement, and Capability Integration & Optimization.

Duties

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The Executive Director, Analysis and Intake, reports directly to the Assistant Administrator, Security Capabilities (SC) and is the primary advisor on highly complex scientific, engineering, and technology related issues and policies for SC to acquire and deploy systems and technologies that screen passengers, accessible property, checked baggage, and cargo for unauthorized explosives, incendiaries, weapons, and other prohibited items onboard aircraft and in other modes of transportation (for example: rail, highways, and waterways). The Executive Director has a significant public role as TSA's most visible scientific and/or engineering expert, applying advanced and highly complex technologies. Represents TSA at scientific forums, conferences, and delegations and to the international community. Expert professional knowledge of theories and principles is applied and concepts of engineering, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and/or other scientific and engineering disciplines to promote the mission, goals, and objectives of TSA and SC. Besides creating new capabilities and enhancing existing ones, a major goal of Analysis and Intake is to integrate relevant capabilities to provide a more cohesive and comprehensive approach to explosives detection. Provides direction to and oversight of the activities for Research Services and Outreach.

High level duties include:

• Coordinates regularly with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other TSA organizations and external stakeholders to ensure buy-in for SC programs and addresses highly complex scientific, engineering and technological issues. Speaks on behalf of the AA and DAA on critical scientific, engineering and technology policy issues regarding key SC programs and operations.
• Oversees the strategic value of science and technology for the sustainable development of security technology programs increasing industry, academia and community recognition and respect for Security Capabilities mission. Stimulates and encourages multi disciplinary, multi-agency research, development and extension of TSA programs.
• Oversees the planning, directing and carrying out of highly complex scientific, engineering, and technological inquiries, analyses, and projects in largely undefined areas involving the scientific, chemical, and technological aspects of explosives. Provides expert guidance and oversight to project managers and specialists and ensures the effective identification and resolution of challenges related to explosives science and technology.
• Serves as a senior scientific and engineering leader, responsible for organizing and directing the work of ad hoc matrix teams and providing overall project leadership in highly complex scientific, engineering, and technological undertakings related to explosives. The position is critical to the planning, evaluation, and implementation of long-range scientific, engineering, and technological programs and standards, and to establishing Security Capabilities and TSA's official position and policy in broad program areas.
• Serves as a recognized authority on the physical, chemical, and technological properties of explosives, as well as the engineering concepts relevant to explosives detection and mitigation systems. Leads teams of professional and technical staff in conducting highly complex analyses of a wide range of explosives characteristics. Coordinates with other subject matter experts to integrate advanced technology and systems design concepts with scientific, chemical, and engineering applications, resolving highly complex and persistent issues involving explosives. Utilizes applied physics to develop and implement new screening technologies and systems for the detection of explosive materials.
• Oversees the strategic value of science and technology to support the sustainable development of security technology initiatives. It aims to increase recognition and respect for the Security Capabilities mission among industry, academia, and the community. The program stimulates and encourages multidisciplinary and multi-agency research, development, and extension of TSA programs, fostering innovative solutions and strengthening mission effectiveness.
• Serves as the principal point of contact for the management and oversight of technical development solutions and assessments within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Independently coordinates with internal and external stakeholders, including testing, evaluation, and vendor personnel-to define, develop, and implement innovation processes and technology solutions that enhance TSA's operational capabilities and efficiency.
• Implements new policies to ensure they are consistent with the scientific process.
• Develops forecasts and models for risk analysis.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

1. Must be a U.S. Citizen.
2. Must serve a probationary period of one year unless you previously completed the probationary period in a SES/TSES position.
3. Must complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
4. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
5. Subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
6. Must file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
7. Must complete a favorable Tier 5 Background Investigation (T5).
8. This position requires a TS/SCI (Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information) clearance that must be completed prior to appointment.
9. You will be subject to a 5-year periodic investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance. Failure to obtain and maintain the required clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.

Qualifications

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

As a basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications listed below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the equivalent of the GS-15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state and local government, the private sector, or non-governmental organizations.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs) related to this position within your resume. Your resume MAY NOT EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will be deemed ineligible and will not receive further consideration. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-BASED. Therefore, evidence of each ECQ and TQ must be CLEARLY REFLECTED in your resume.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the following technical qualifications.

1. Expert knowledge of and skill in applying professional physical science or engineering theories, concepts principles, practices, methodologies, and applications to formulate, evaluate, nurture, promote, and exchange information related to the analysis of explosives properties and associated compounds to design and develop state-of-the-art detection systems and technologies.

2. Demonstrate the ability to collect information to determine the validity and application of various types of data; apply different strategies for acquiring data; analyzes information and makes reasonable inferences or draws well-supported conclusions.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES)/Transportation Security Executive Service (TSES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect the the ECQs and TQs, you will not receive further consideration for the position.

ECQ 1 - COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING. This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ 2 - DRIVING EFFICIENCY. This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ 3 - MERIT AND COMPETENCE. This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

ECQ 4 - LEADING PEOPLE. This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

ECQ 5 - ACHIEVING RESULTS. This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

NOTE: If you are a member of the SES/TSES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES/TSES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES/TSES.

FAILURE TO MEET OR FULLY ADDRESS EACH EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATION AND TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS IN THE RESUME WILL ELIMINATE A CANDIDATE FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

Education

There is no positive education requirement for this position.

Additional information

• The TSA, an excepted service agency, was established by Public Law 107-71, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA), on November 19, 2001. ATSA provides TSA with the authority to modify and develop its own human capital program, provided such modifications are consistent with 49 USC 40122.
• This is an excepted service position. However, there is an interchange agreement with the OPM and TSA that enables Career TSES members who have been approved by the Qualifications Review Board at OPM to qualify for Senior Executive Service (SES) positions without additional competition.
• You will be required to serve a probationary period of one year unless you previously completed the probationary period in a SES/TSES position.
• When you enter on duty, you will be required to complete a Public Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 278. You will need to provide this information annually.
• Veteran's Preference is not applicable to the SES/TSES.
• Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES/TSES leaders. Individuals selected for SES/TSES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Mobility Agreement.
• Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).

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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