Summary

The Executive Director, Strategy and Engagement position is located in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), DHS Headquarters, Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate. The incumbent is responsible for developing organizational strategic guidance, advising leadership of the Planning, Programming, Budget Execution (PPBE) process, building and sustaining partnerships and coordination mechanisms with interagency, industry and international partners.

Duties

Help

The Executive Director, Strategy and Engagement position is located in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), DHS Headquarters, Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate.

The Executive Director, Strategy and Engagement is responsible for developing organizational strategic guidance and working with S&T senior leadership to inform the Planning, Programming, and Budget Execution (PPBE) process. Additionally, building and sustaining partnerships and coordination mechanisms with interagency, industry and international partners to foster cooperation through solid working relationships and strategic communications.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Oversees S&T-wide strategy development as well as international, interagency, industry and congressional engagements to ensure alignment and advancement of the priorities of the Department and the Administration.
• Oversees the development of the S&T strategic planning and programming guidance to inform the S&T Planning, Programming, and Budget Execution (PPBE) process.
• Oversees the development of policies, strategic thrusts and priorities at the Department, interagency, international, industry and White House levels for relevance and/or impact to S&T.
• Represents S&T and/or DHS at interagency level in national thrusts and areas of shared responsibilities.
• Leads the development and management of S&T strategic partnerships with other government agencies. The Executive Director will represent S&T on interagency working groups, internal and external meetings, conferences and other forums.
• Works closely with S&T and DHS Components to understand homeland security enterprise operational requirements, risks and threats. Oversees and facilitates the development of cooperative technical relationships and associated activities that enhance security for both the United States and its partner nations. Presents to DHS and US government senior executives and managers concerning international Research and Development, Test and Evaluation capabilities and ongoing efforts being pursued in the region either separately or jointly with DHS.
• Creates and fosters strategic interagency communications regarding S&T policies and programs.
• Reviews the QHSR, Integrated Planning Guidance, Future Years Homeland Security Program, and other Departmental priorities to align and integrate the S&T strategy with PPBE decisions.
• Provides S&T with adequate policy coordination to ensure alignment and influence policies that would enable S&T to better support its customers.
• Advises Deputy Under Secretary and Under Secretary on recommended alignment and integration of the S&T strategy, strategic focus areas, and PPBE decisions into partnering programs.
• Supports S&T principals and subject matter experts in the development of an S&T Research Agenda that identifies and clarifies S&T's research priorities and specific efforts and aligns with the new direction of the Administration and Department.
• Leads, coordinates and prepares for strategic intergovernmental engagements; educate, update and build trusted relationships with Congressional members and staffers, targeted U.S. Government agencies, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and nationwide mayors and governors who are building smart communities through investments in research and public private partnerships, including academia, laboratory and industry domains.
• Advises and provides support to the DHS Secretary and the White House, Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on matters of priority concern to the Department and nation.
• Ensures information flows to and from leadership.
• Reviews briefing materials for senior officials for meetings with representatives of other agencies.
• Reviews and oversees the development of position papers for the use of senior officials involved in determining policy and strategies affecting S&T's relationship with other governmental agencies.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.

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.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. 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). A sample 2-pages resume that incorporates ECQs and TQs can be viewed on this link (indexed at page 16 - 17) Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board.

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

TQ 1: Demonstrated expertise in developing organizational strategies and conducting related analysis, including futures analysis, risk analysis, net assessment, options assessment, or similar analysis in the context of developing strategy, and relating those strategies to planning.

TQ 2: Demonstrated commitment to building and sustaining partnerships and coordination mechanisms with interagency, industry and international partners that show flexibility, adaptability, decisiveness, and the ability to foster cooperation through solid working relationships and strategic communications.

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

There are five ECQs:

• 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.

Detailed information on each ECQs, the underlying and fundamental competencies, and information regarding the Structured Interview QRB (SIQRB) Process are available in the "Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board."

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES 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.

Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

Current or Former Political Appointees: OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the DHS Headquarters Executive Services team.

Education

There is no educational requirement for this position.

Additional information

Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid.

Recruitment/Relocation/Retention Incentive may be authorized at Management's discretion.

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact Sylvia Jackson via email at [redacted] .


Benefits

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.