Physical Security Specialist (TSCM)

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Chief Security Officer (OCSO), Threat Management Operations Directorate (TMO), Center for International Safety and Security (CISS). The primary purpose of this position is to participate with intelligence and law enforcement personnel in planning and conducting investigations and technical security assignments with particular emphasis on counterterrorism. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Duties

As a Physical Security Specialist (TSCM), GS-0080-9/11, your typical work assignments may include: Providing assistance in protecting against technical surveillance threats by conducting surveys and evaluations when necessary. Will work under close supervision and direct guidance, participates in routine counterintelligence and security investigations and helps coordinate entry level technical investigative resources. Providing assistance with technical security and executive support during operations. Receiving training and tailored instruction to participate in site surveys to identify suitable areas for electronic surveillance. In a developmental capacity and with step by-step assistance, helps prepare basic plans and assists senior specialists in installing, repairing, adjusting, or retrieving covert technical equipment (such as audio/video transmitters and recorders). Undergoing development in the setup, installation, and operation of basic electronic surveillance systems for tracking activities. Assists senior investigators in configuring and testing body-worn transmitters and tracking devices, and helps conduct routine telecommunications surveys to understand surveillance and signal propagation. Participating as a team member in physical security surveys of field offices and designated facilities to assess vaults and safes. Learns to identify basic vulnerabilities in physical security and assist in drafting routine survey reports. Under guidance, assists in checking construction in progress against established agency security guidelines. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 100 applications have been received, whichever happens first. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Qualifications

There are no Individual Occupational Requirements for this position. You qualify at the GS-09 grade level if you possess one of the following: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal government. For this position specialized experience is defined as possessing the ability to illustrate basic knowledge of mechanical or computerized security systems; knowledge of security programs; knowledge or participation with intelligence or law enforcement personnel in the planning or conducting of investigations; knowledge and understanding the use of technical equipment in criminal investigations; OR A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (e.g. Electrical, Network, or Telecommunications Engineering, or Cybersecurity); OR A combination of successfully completed graduate level education beyond the first year 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: Transcripts are required at the time of application if using Education in lieu of Specialized Experience. Only graduate education in excess of the first year may be used to qualify for the GS-09 level. You qualify at the GS-11 grade level if you possess one of the following: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in Federal service, that demonstrates the ability to assist in the implementation, administration, or evaluation of physical security programs, policies, and procedures; participate in physical security surveys, inspections, or assessments to identify security vulnerabilities, hazards, or risks; work with or assist in the maintenance/operation of physical security systems (e.g.audio and/or video transmitters, transducers, recorders, Global Positioning Satellite - GPS - trackers, recording equipment, etc.) and supporting technical surveillance countermeasures (TSCM) activities; compile data, analyze security issues of limited complexity, and preparing reports or recommendations for corrective action; 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 that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (e.g. Electrical, Network, or Telecommunications Engineering, or Cybersecurity); 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: Transcripts are required at the time of application if using Education in lieu of Specialized Experience. Only graduate education in excess of the first two years may be used to qualify for the GS-11 level. All 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. The SF 50 must include your pay band, series, grade, and step). 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.

Evaluations

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we will use a job questionnaire to place you in one of three categories based on your experience, education and training. The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are: Accountability, Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, Surveillance, Teamwork, Technology Application, Telecommunications, and Vulnerabilities Assessment If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories: Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis. If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be removed from consideration or your score may be lowered. Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. (This position is not considered scientific/professional.). Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement. Interviews are required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration. After DHS Headquarters completes its hiring, the resumes of the remaining candidates referred for selection consideration may be shared with other DHS Components and other federal agencies. During the application process, you may choose to opt-in if you would like your name, application material, and assessment results to be shared. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you continue to explore other job opportunity announcements.

How to apply 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 here:https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire. To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and/or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM eastern standard time on the day the announcement closes. Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be automatically removed from consideration. The vacancy questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions. This provides an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not add, modify, or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. Applicants must submit all required documentation to properly qualify for this position.

Other information The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result. This position may be filled at the GS-09 or GS-11 level. If selection is made at the GS-09 level, promotion to the GS-11, GS-12, and GS-13 level may occur without further competition. You may be required to serve a one-year supervisory probationary period. Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will NOT be paid. You may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays and/or overtime. Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of 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. Background Investigation: 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 for Top Secret clearance as a condition of placement in this Special-Sensitive position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies during the next 90 days. This could result in a few or many vacancies being filled from this announcement.