Security Specialist

Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal government. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Provides support and guidance to offices and/or components on all aspects of security policy development affecting the organization. Provides security customer service support employees, contractors, and/or external agencies. Remaining cognizant of conditions that could develop into critical security problems. Maintains a continuous liaison with other Federal organizations and subordinate offices/organizations.OR A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related to the position; OR A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application. NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the first two years may be used to qualify for the GS-11 level. You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal government. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Using expert knowledge of all security disciplines (i.e., physical, personnel, industrial, systems, etc.), responds to the most complicated/difficult security-related questions. Assists customers with complex/challenging personnel security issues using in-depth knowledge of human resource processes and procedures related security functions (e.g., security clearances, suitability, fitness determinations, clearance upgrades, etc.). Develops and recommends appropriate responses to unique security problems and assesses potential impact of such responses. Represents the organization on working groups; steering groups; or other meetings, conferences, seminars, etc. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement. Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment (“position occupied” block 34 on the SF-50 should show a “1”), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE. 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: 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. This position may be filled at the GS-11 or GS-12 level. If selection is made at the GS-11 level, promotion to the GS-12 level may occur without further competition.
This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Chief Security Officer, Strategic Operations Division. The primary purpose of this position is to provide support and guidance to all DHS offices and components on all aspects of the Strategic Operations Division responsibilities including security policy development affecting the DHS. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.