Summary

This position is located in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Security and Emergency Management Division (SEMD). The incumbent is responsible for preparing, analyzing, formulating, developing, reviewing and implementing security policies, standards, processes and procedures in accordance with Executive Orders, federal law, regulations, policies, rules, and requirements. Directs and oversees the work of federal personnel security specialists and contractors.

Duties

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The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia. Presence at the Alexandria, VA campus is required for this role, as it includes on site functions that must be performed in person. Position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy/business unit discretion. The agency currently allows for 52 hours of telework per leave year.

This is the job for you if:

• You're excited to perform the duties and responsibilities as the Personnel Security Branch Chief for the USPTO.
• You'll thrive executing a variety of business and administrative responsibilities related to managing the personnel security program at USPTO, negotiating and preparing interagency agreements (IAA) with Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, and other agencies as required.
• You're excited to function as the USPTO program manager and senior technical authority on all matters pertaining to personnel security, security clearances, and Agency special access programs (i.e., Sensitive Compartmented Information, Department of Energy "Q," North Atlantic Treaty Organization clearances, and clearances granted by the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office).
• You excel in adjudicating national security clearances for high level mission critical employees and also adjudicating contractor cases for suitability, adjudicating sensitive suitability cases that contain national security information and that may require coordination with federal intelligence and law enforcement entities.
• You're energized by managing and ensuring the granting of all country clearances and national security clearances for USPTO employees traveling and/or visiting other federal agencies and overseas USA posts.
• You enjoy advising the Chief Administrative Officer, Deputy Under Secretary, and Under Secretary as required on matters related to personnel security and special access programs.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals.
• Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies.
• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
• Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
• Suitable for Federal Employment
• Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• Must obtain and maintain Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented (TS/SCI) security clearance.

Qualifications

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. OPM Qualifications Standards are available at Security Administration Series 0080

Specialized Experienceis experience that has equipped applicants with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 in the Federal service: For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS- 13.

Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Experience managing the operational activities and programs related to an Agency's national security, special access programs, and personnel security;
• Experience implementing procedures to safeguard sensitive information; conducting security and suitability adjudications related to background investigations; and
• Experience managing the duties associated with Office of Personnel Management's Investigative Services (OPMIS), secure web portal programs (i.e. National Background Information Services (NBIS), Central Verification System (CVS) and the Personnel Investigations Processing System (PIPS)).

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

Education may not be substituted for specialized experience at this grade level.

Additional information

Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement unless eligible for special hiring authority, reinstatement eligible, non-current Federal employee applying as a VEOA eligible which do not require time-in-grade/band.

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.

This is a Non Bargaining Unit position.

If selected for this position, you may be required to complete the Fair Credit Act Memo, which gives consent so that one or more consumer credit reports may be obtained for employment purposes.

Except as prohibited by law, all applicants tentatively selected for positions needing a Top Secret Clearance will be required to submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and, if appointed, the incumbent will be subjected to random drug testing procedures.

Background Investigation - If selected for this position, you may be required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306), which includes a fingerprint and credit check, to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.

Relocation Expenses are not authorized and will not be paid.

CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a "well qualified" rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: OPM CTAP/ICTAP. CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the 'Required Documents' section of this announcement.

More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 90 days from the date the certificate was issued.

All application materials become the property of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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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.

Additional Information Con't:

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

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.