Summary Securing Travel, Protecting People - At the Transportation Security Administration, you will serve in a high-stakes environment to safeguard the American way of life. In cities across the country, you would secure airports, seaports, railroads, highways, and/or public transit systems, thus protecting America's transportation infrastructure and ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce. Responsibilities This Transportation Security Specialist position is located within Security Operations (SO), Surface Operations (SUR), Operations, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to: Provides surface operational support functions, serves as programmatic lead on select assignments, and may act as a contributing specialist on large work activities, or as a team leader for single or small work activities. Serves as a point of contact and provides direct program support to Surface Operations leadership for timely resolution on issues relating to special projects, programs, and other activities. Provides support for analytic efforts and assists in establishing procedures to improve effectiveness and efficiency of surface operations and may act as a key technical point of contact for assigned activities. Participates in the facilitation of program reviews of internal procedures including programmatic analysis of security assessments, security awareness training, and exercises related programs (i.e., Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement (BASE) reviews, First Observer Plus, Intermodal Security Training and Exercise Program). Participates in in-depth reviews and trend analyses of significant security concerns reported to the Transportation Security Operations Center (TSOC), ensures accuracy and conformity with Surface Operations issued guidance, and identifies and informs management of problems that require their attention. Supports the development of innovative concepts, approaches, methodologies, techniques, and policies to gain compliance, promote smart security practices, and embrace field office participation at the regional and national levels. Assists in managing the implementation of office oversight activities (regulatory and non-regulatory) including inspections, investigations, detailed assessments, and other risk-based outreaches. Collects, interprets, and analyzes routine and regularly recurring transportation security data, develops options, proposals, and/or recommendations, and applies experience and advanced technical knowledge to accomplish assignments, and develop plans and techniques to improve programs and policies. Assists in developing various reports which contain descriptive, analytical, and evaluative content related to transportation security programs and protocols, contributes to the preparation of management/technical reports or contractual documents, and may communicate the overall results of a project or work activity to TSA management, the aviation and aerospace industries, and other external parties. Applies analytical techniques and methods in order to analyze assigned security issues, interpret data, draw conclusions, develop options, and assist others in making preliminary recommendations. Supports in-depth analysis using available technological systems, software applications, and databases (i.e., Performance and Results Information System (PARIS), Salesforce, iShare, Microsoft Office Suite- Word, Excel, Access) for reviewing and updating data, and identifying trends. The major duties described reflect the full performance level of this position. Typically, the lower pay band (I Band) performs the same duties but will receive more guidance and training; and/or projects/work assignments may be less complex. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National. You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application. Selective Service registration is required. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI). You must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance. This is a testing Designated position. Employee required to pass drug screening prior to appointment and periodically as required during employment. 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-I Pay Band (equivalent to GS-13), applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the SV-H band, (equivalent to the GS-11/12) in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience MUST include all the following: Knowledge of TSA surface transportation security policies, directives and regulations, and new or emerging directives, policies, and regulations sufficient to use surface operations related data to perform analysis and identify recommendations for enabling operational efficiencies, resolve complex transportation security issues, programs, and initiatives that cross organizational boundaries and impact the accomplishment of key Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) strategic objectives. Ability to implement policies, directives, and regulations in all surface modes, and collect, interpret, and analyze routine and regularly recurring transportation security data, develop options, proposals, and/or recommendations. Knowledge of principles, policies, procedures, and requirements related to surface transportation security sufficient to assist in managing the implementation of office oversight activities (regulatory and nonregulatory) including inspections, investigations, detailed assessments, and other risk-based outreaches. Ability to immediately apply project management principles, methods, practices, and techniques sufficient to plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate surface transportation security operations, and provide comprehensive knowledge of field-based security documentation and guidance including regulatory compliance activities, security assessments, exercises and security outreach initiatives, and performance metrics reporting. To qualify for the SV-J Pay Band (equivalent to GS-14), applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the SV-I band, (equivalent to the GS-13) in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience MUST include all the following: Expert knowledge of and skill in applying principles, procedures, requirements, regulations and policies related to surface transportation security, and leading the development of innovative concepts, approaches, methodologies, techniques, and policies to gain compliance, promote smart security practices, and embrace field office participation at the regional and national levels. Expert knowledge of TSA surface transportation security policies, directives and regulations, and new or emerging directives, policies, and regulations sufficient to use surface operations related data to perform analysis and identify recommendations for enabling operational efficiencies, resolve complex transportation security issues, programs, and initiatives that cross organizational boundaries and impact the accomplishment of key Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) strategic objectives. Advanced ability to implement policies, directives, and regulations in all surface modes, and collect, interpret, and analyze routine and regularly recurring transportation security data, develop options, proposals, and/or recommendations. Comprehensive knowledge of principles, policies, procedures and requirements related to surface transportation security sufficient to serve as the primary lead for all tasks assigned on a daily basis and manage the implementation of office oversight activities (regulatory and non-regulatory) including inspections, investigations, detailed assessments, and other risk-based outreaches. 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: Narrative description of duties with start and end dates (including the month and year) for work experience. 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. Performance level (i.e. band or grade) Utilizing the USAJOBS Resume Builder and completing all available fields is strongly encouraged. You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Education Additional Information Eligibility to apply for other Federal positions: TSA is an Excepted Service agency exempt from most of Title 5 United States Code, including regulations which apply to displaced Federal employees (CTAP/ICTAP) of other agencies, and employment with TSA does not confer "Competitive Status" that generally results from selection and service in Competitive Service agencies. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has established an Interchange Agreement, which allows most permanent TSA employees to apply and be considered for vacancies in Competitive Service agencies. Information from OPM on this or other Interchange Agreements is available at: www.opm.gov/ 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 as a condition of placement into this position. DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. 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. TSA employees who are absent for the purpose of performing military duty may apply for any vacancies announced in their absence. More than one position may be filled from this announcement. If you are entering TSA employment on an appointment without time limitations, you must serve a basic trial period unless you have already met the requirement. 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.