Summary

The Special Operations Division is responsible for conducting targeted, intelligence-driven, adversary-emulation covert testing to assess systemic vulnerabilities to current and emerging threats. Their focus is to conduct a limited number of tests over a short period of time to determine where the enterprise may be vulnerable.

Duties

Help

The Supervisory Transportation Security Specialist position is located Inspections, Special Operations Division, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to:

Duties include:

• Provides overall leadership and supervision for the division, including planning, communicating vision and objectives, setting priorities, managing budget and resources, recruiting and developing staff, approving leave, and taking corrective/disciplinary actions. Ensures workforce alignment with organizational goals and manages a multi-sector workforce.
• Directs and oversees complex security-related programs and projects that cross organizational lines, including project design, operational reviews, audits, and covert testing. Ensures alignment with TSA strategic objectives and risk management practices.
• Leads the planning and coordination of exceptionally complicated reviews, evaluations, and covert testing. Measures and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of TSA operations, recommends policy changes, and assists in issuing complex reports with findings and recommendations impacting regional and agency-wide operations.
• Identifies vulnerabilities and weaknesses in programs, informs senior leadership, and drives performance improvement. Develops and implements enterprise risk management strategies, prioritizes testing objectives, and justifies capital investments.
• Provides oversight and direction for independent reviews, inspections, and testing of operational programs, procedures, and policies across TSA offices, including Federal Air Marshal Service, Federal Security Directors, and Headquarters.
• Conducts and oversees research into highly complex projects and policy areas. Develops analytical frameworks and methodologies, manages presentations for TSA leadership, and provides high-level recommendations for policy changes impacting operations.
• Maintains regular contact with senior leadership, peers, and subordinate managers to discuss operations, project status, and future planning. Represents the division in internal and external meetings, ensuring clear and convincing communication of program objectives and findings.

Supervisory/Managerial duties includes serving as a first line supervisor for the organization. This includes but is not limited to: assigning work, setting priorities, and reviewing and evaluating work and performance of subordinates; approving leave; coaching and developing employees; recommending corrective or disciplinary actions; assisting in budget planning and projecting short-term needs; managing projects within assigned resources; resolving routine problems that typically impact the objectives of the organizational unit; and when required, coordinating with customers outside the immediate organization.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

1. You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
2. You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application.
3. Selective Service registration is required.
4. Must pass pre-employment drug screening AND random drug/alcohol testing.
5. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Clearance with SCI access.
6. You must complete a favorable Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI).

Supervisory/Managerial Probationary Period Requirements: Unless previously completed, you must satisfactorily complete a one-year supervisory probationary period to continue in this supervisory/managerial position.

If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment.

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

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Qualifications

To qualify for the SV-K Pay Band (equivalent to GS-15), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-J or GS-14 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing risks associated with assessments and inspections; implementing controls to mitigate risk AND
• Revising policy documents, including guidance, amendments to complex security directives, security programs and regulations; AND
• Identifying analytical techniques and methodologies for research and evaluation of complex projects.

Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime.

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.

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.

Resumes must include the following:

1. Narrative description of duties with start and end dates (including the month and year) for work experience.
2. State the number of hours worked in a position (i.e. full-time or part-time). If part-time, state the total number of hours worked per week.
3. Performance level (i.e. band or grade)

You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Education

For positions requiring positive education requirements, or if you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or an itemized list of college courses from an accredited college or university, which includes equivalent information from the transcript (course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned) in your resume. The information must be provided with the application by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, the applicant must supply a transcript or certification of degree.

Additional information

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

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.

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; telework; 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.

Employees who transfer to TSA from an agency that allows employees to maintain an annual leave balance higher than the maximum accumulation for the appointed position will have their leave ceiling set to the maximum accumulation for the appointed position (e.g., United States duty location - 240 hours, foreign duty location - 360 hours, or TSES position - 720 hours). TSA will not make a monetary payment for any leave forfeited under these circumstances.

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.