Protective Service Specialist (Special Agent) - SME (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Summary This position is located in the Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary (OST), Office of Intelligence, Security and Emergency Response (OISER), Protective Service Division (PSD). OISER provides Departmental executive leadership in government-wide initiatives pertaining to national security, emergency response programs, protective service operations, Continuity of Operations (COOP), and Continuity of Government (COG). Duties As a Protective Service Specialist (Special Agent), you will: You will participate as a member of teams implementing protective service advance and protective services for the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Transportation under terms and conditions prescribed by the DOT Chief of Staff, OISER Director, and Special Agent in Charge (SAC), Protective Service Division (PSD).  You will be expected to work long and irregular hours, walking, driving, and standing to provide physical protection for the Secretary, while in Deputy U.S. Marshal status. Work assignments may therefore be strenuous, consistent with activities associated with protection assignments, including holding of subjects and suspects in pursuit of effective law enforcement, defending oneself or others against physical attack, and maintaining physical control of such suspects in the use of force continuum. Must cope with continuously rigid and extremely short deadlines where schedules and workload are highly variable, unpredictable, and uncontrollable. These activities will be engaged while conducting protective service and protective service advance operations. There is the potential for physical harm, based on hazards associated with reasonable enforcement response.  The majority of the work is performed in settings in which there is regular and recurring exposure to discomfort and unpleasantness, such as substantial domestic and international travel, high levels of noise, and high temperatures in confined spaces or adverse weather conditions at mission and surveillance sites. You will be required to qualify in the use of--and maintain proficiency with--firearms and law enforcement/communications equipment. Assignments performed in Deputy U.S. Marshal status require safe work practices with respect to the handling of firearms, may require use of protective clothing, and may place incumbent at great personal risk or in situations where conditions cannot be controlled. This position is designated as Emergency Essential and may require working during weather-related closures. You will also: Serve as an authority and specialist in providing protection both domestically and internationally and independently takes decisive and immediate action in emergency situations requiring innovative solutions. Act as liaison officer and coordinate activities between Office of the Secretary and external agency organizations. Serve as a key advisor responsible for independent and extensive assessment of threat information and the coordination of information gathering activities regarding the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary. Review and analyze threat information and initiates and coordinate protective activities follow up investigations with other appropriate federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Conduct unique and sensitive high-level inquiries/reviews which require extra sensitivity and special handling. Prepare reports and other documents relating to special protective service advances and make oral presentations on protective service advance findings to the Special Agent In-Charge, Protective Service Division, and the Director. The Ideal Candidate Statement: The Office of Intelligence, Security and Emergency Response (OISER), Protective Service Division (PSD) is seeking a seasoned professional who is self-reliant and motivated in providing protective service advance, intelligence, and protective services for the Secretary of Transportation. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration. You must meet specialized experience to qualify. Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT New Federal Employees only: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Current Federal employees and non-competitive selectees may need to complete a probationary period (unless already completed). DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Must be able to qualify for and maintain a Top Secret/SCI Level Clearance. SPECIAL DEPUTATION: You must obtain and maintain this requirement which will allow you to carry a service weapon to provide personal protection to The Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and other senior officials. MEDICAL REQUIREMENT: Subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical and physical qualification determination. You must acquire annual certification indicating that medical and physical standards are met. DRIVER'S LICENSE: This position requires the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle.  A valid driver’s license is required for the position. CERTIFICATIONS: Must be able to obtain and maintain current required certifications in First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel.  A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. See 'Other Information' section for additional information. Qualifications Applicants who do not meet the selective placement factors will be ineligible for further consideration. If you meet them then you will be rated and ranked based on the following specialized experience. To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include: Experience applying protective service security concepts, principles, and policies to research. Experience assessing threat information while providing protection for a high-ranking official/executive domestically and/or internationally. Experience preparing comprehensive protective service advance reports. To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR A LL.M, if related. You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application. To qualify for the GS-12 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include: Experience conducting sensitive and complex protective service inquiries that unfold over periods of time (i.e., days, weeks, months or years); AND Experience providing protection for a high-ranking official/executive domestically and internationally; AND Experience preparing briefings and reports regarding protective service which involve coordination with Federal, State, and/or Local law enforcement. You cannot qualify on education at the GS-12 level; you must have experience. To qualify for the Grade 13 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience serving as a shift, advance and/or detail lead for events while providing protection for a high-ranking officials/executive domestically and internationally. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Security - Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and guidelines related to securing personnel, facilities, and information, including the requirements for handling, transporting, and protecting classified information and proper reporting of security incidents. Personnel Security and Safety - Knowledge of methods and controls of personnel, public safety, and security operations; investigation and inspection techniques; or rules, regulations, precautions, and prevention techniques for the protection of people, data, or property. For all types of consideration, 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. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link:  https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information Continued from Conditions of Employment: RETIREMENT: This position is covered under law enforcement retirement coverage (5 U.S.C. 8336(c) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d)). Must maintain requirements to qualify for LEO retirement coverage. AGE REQUIREMENT: To qualify for law enforcement retirement coverage (6C), you must meet Maximum Entry Age requirements for primary law enforcement positions: Candidates without previous Federal LEO service must be under age 37; OR, those with current or prior Federal LEO coverage will be considered only if they can demonstrate that they will have completed 20 years of covered service by mandatory retirement age of 57. This requirement may be waived for preference-eligible Veterans. SF-50: If you have current or prior Federal Law Enforcement Officer coverage please submit appropriate SF-50’s that show periods of coverage. DRUG TESTING: This position has been determined to be a critical safety/security position as defined in the Department of Transportation (DOT) Order, DOT 3910.1D entitled "Drug and Alcohol-Free Departmental Workplace." Therefore, if selected for the position you will be required to submit to a pre-employment/pre-appointment drug test, you will also be subject to Random Drug Testing. ESSENTIAL/NON-ESSENTIAL: This position is considered emergency essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures. TELEWORK: This position is approved for situational telework and you are required to report to the office on a regular basis. The situational telework is determined by the agency policy, emergency situations, the approval of your immediate supervisor, and if applicable, approval of additional officials. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: You must qualify to obtain a Special Deputation by the United States Marshals Service.  This requires that you: must have successfully completed an accredited basic law enforcement training program (civilian or military); AND must have at least one year of previous law enforcement experience; AND must not have been convicted of a felony and/or crime of domestic violence as defined in Title 18, USC 922(g)(9) Lautenberg Amendment. Protective Service Specialist Medical Standards: If selected for this position, you must pass the pre-employment medical AND physical standards.  In addition, you must acquire annual certification indicating that the medical standards are met. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, [email protected]. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. 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 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. 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.