Summary

This position provides leadership and strategic direction for the Office of Security's Department-wide personnel security programs, ensuring the protection of DOT personnel, information, and operations through effective security policies, adjudication, credentialing, risk management, and compliance activities. This position advises senior officials and coordinates with Federal partners to advance national security and mission-critical security objectives.

Duties

As a Supervisory Personnel Security Specialist (Associate Director), you will:

• Directs and manages a department-wide personnel security program, providing executive-level leadership, policy direction, and oversight for suitability, credentialing, security clearance adjudication, contractor fitness, and classified access programs.
• Develops, interprets, and implements personnel security policies, standards, and procedures to ensure compliance with Executive Orders, OPM regulations, Security Executive Agent Directives, HSPD-12 requirements, and Departmental security policies.
• Serves as the department's senior technical authority on complex and sensitive personnel security matters, providing expert advice and recommendations to senior officials on security risks, adjudicative decisions, and matters with national security implications.
• Leads the adjudication and oversight of personnel security, credentialing, and vetting programs; evaluates complex background investigation information; ensures consistent application of security standards; and manages compliance, quality assurance, and risk mitigation activities.
• Provides strategic direction and supervision for personnel security staff and represents DOT in interagency forums with Federal security partners, including the development of government-wide security policies, standards, and practices.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT: OST is seeking a highly skilled, mission-focused security professional with expertise in personnel security, adjudication, policy development, and risk management. The ideal candidate is a strategic leader who can apply sound judgment on complex security matters, develop and implement security programs, collaborate with stakeholders across the department and Federal government, and ensure compliance with national security requirements.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must meet specialized experience stated in Qualifications section.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• SUPERVISORY PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
• TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• DRUG TEST: This position has been determined to be a critical safety/security position as defined in the Department of Transportation (DOT) Order, DOT 3910.ID entitled "Drug and Alcohol-Free Departmental Workplace." Therefore, is selected for this position you will be required to submit to a pre-employment / pre-appointment drug test. you will also be subject to Random Drug Testing.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the Grade 15, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include:

• Managing complex personnel security programs involving suitability, credentialing, security clearances, adjudication, and position sensitivity determinations.
• Providing senior-level advice, oversight, and guidance on sensitive security matters to leadership, stakeholders, and interagency partners; and managing personnel, resources, and program objectives for a large-scale security program.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Personnel Security and Safety: Knowledge of methods and controls of personnel, public safety, and security operations; investigation and inspection techniques; or rules, regulations, precautions, and prevention techniques for the protection of people, data, or property.
2. Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
3. Leadership: Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations.

For all types of consideration, 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.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

No education requirement for this position.

Additional information

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations 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 the Department of Transportation by email at, [redacted]. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation

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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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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.