Summary

This vacancy is for a GS-2101-14, Marine Transportation Specialist located in the Department of Homeland Security, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, Commercial Regulations and Standards Directorate, Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing, Maritime Personnel Qualifications Division in Washington, DC.

Duties

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You will serve as a Marine Transportation Specialist and be responsible for developing national-level strategies for the Mariner Credentialing Program (MCP). The main responsibilities include maritime personnel qualifications and labor issues pertaining to the U.S. Merchant Marine, together with the development of agency regulations, standards, policies, procedures and training; as well as coordination with other agencies responsible for ensuring maritime safety, security and environmental protection.

Being a Coast Guard (CG) civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team. Typical work assignments include:

• Participating in the development, interpretation, and implementation of rules and regulations concerning merchant mariner credentialing, as related to the Coast Guard's Maritime Prevention Program.
• Providing guidance on maritime personnel qualifications and labor issues, reviewing related reports, and preparing summaries of key regulatory findings.
• Serving as a subject matter expert supporting regulatory projects on maritime personnel qualifications, transportation, and safety.
• Providing policy recommendations by assessing maritime issues using marine transportation and safety principles, and integrating input from diverse experts to produce coherent, workable standards and regulatory proposals.
• Developing and maintaining professional networks for purposes such as promoting information sharing, identifying the need for new programs or services and soliciting program input.
• Conferring with labor and industry representatives to establish acceptable operating requirements, procedures, and personnel safety criteria.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume:

• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Date of Birth (DOB)
• Photos of yourself (if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position)
• Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.

Key Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov
• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• Under provisions of the Civil Service Reform Act, first time supervisors and/or managers will be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation. This position requires a Public Trust clearance.
• This is not Bargaining Unit position.
• Time-in-Grade requirement must be met by the closing date of the vacancy.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.
• Must hold or have held a U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential.

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.

Qualifications

To qualify for the GS-14: your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.

• Leading the identification of needs and the development of policy, guidance, and regulations for Mariner Credentialing programs.
• Providing technical advice and consultative support to field personnel and maritime industry representatives on the intent and application of Mariner Credentialing programs.
• Advancing local, state, federal, and private-sector initiatives related to maritime personnel qualifications and labor issues

AND

Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC): Applicant must hold, or have held, a U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential with a national endorsement authorizing service as a deck or engineer officer on unlimited tonnage or unlimited horsepower commercial vessels in Oceans service, which includes International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 as Amended (STCW) endorsements.

NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or related applicable assessment) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

NOTE: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer 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.

Education

This position does not have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail.

Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Additional information

Due Weight

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).

Fair Chance Act

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 [redacted].

Suitability Statement

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.

Shared Certificates Statement

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Special Employment Consideration

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 [redacted](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.

Moving expenses will be paid in accordance with appropriate regulations.

If you are unable apply online, please contact [redacted]. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit Reasonable Accommodation

More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued.

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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 Constitution.

Benefits

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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.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.

Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

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.