Transportation Security Specialist (Vetting)

Summary

This position is a Transportation Security Specialist located in Vetting Operations, Security Threat Assessment Division (STAD), Vetting Match Referrals and Analysis (VMR&A) Branch. The VMR&A Branch reviews and analyzes identity, criminal, immigration, and threats to transportation or national security information from automated systems and other data sources to support case resolution, adjudicative determinations, and transportation security operations.

Duties

This Transportation Security Specialist (Vetting) position is located Vetting Operations, Security Threat Assessment Division (STAD),Vetting Match Referrals and Analysis (VMR&A) Branch.,Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to: Independently performs technical and analytical duties for projects and programs to improve the overall security of the transportation system, authorize access to sensitive areas of airport facilities and make waiver determinations related to federally restricted airspace; Performs detailed analyses and reviews background with limited supervision information to determine potential criminal activity Serves as a Subject Matter Expert to other law enforcement, coordinating information found via Law Enforcement systems which may impact other enforcement missions Independently, reviews all available information (e.g. credentialing information) and prepares Reports of Investigation (ROIs); prepares additional correspondence as necessary; maintains records and case files. Please note: The major duties described above reflect the full performance level of this position. Typically, the lower pay band (G band) performs the same duties but will receive more guidance and training, and the project or work assignments may be less complex. Requirements

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. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI). Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (TS) / Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Clearance. Selective Service registration is required. 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

In addition to the minimum qualifications described above, you must meet the following requirement(s) to be considered qualified for the position: To qualify for the SV-G pay band (equivalent to the GS-5-7-9), you must meet one of the qualification requirements (A, B, OR C) outlined below: A. Education: 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; OR B. Experience: 3 years of general experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least GS-4 performing duties such as: Utilizing automated and classified systems to research, verify and organize identity, criminal, immigration, or case-related information from multiple sources; AND Communicating case findings, research results, or recommendations orally and in writing. OR C. Combining of Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade level, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. If you are attempting to qualify based on education, in whole or in part, you MUST submit a copy of your transcript(s) from an accredited college or university (for each school attended) to establish qualifications based upon education. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts may be required at a later date. To qualify for the SV-H Pay Band (equivalent to GS-11/12), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-G or GS-9 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: Independently using automated systems or classified systems to research cases, verify information and resolve discrepancies; AND Analyzing identity, criminal, immigration, security-related or classified information to support adjudicative or case-related decisions; AND Reviewing reports, policies, procedures, or program information to identify issues, recommend improvements and provide technical assistance or feedback to staff. To qualify for the SV-I Pay Band (equivalent to GS-13), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-H or GS-12 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: Analyzing complex case information from multiple sources to identify issues, develop courses of action, and support case resolution; AND Applying laws, regulations, policies, procedures, or precedents to adjudicative, security, law enforcement, or case-related matters; AND Coordinating with internal and external partners to support transportation security or public safety operations; AND Preparing case summaries, reports, briefing materials, memorandums, or other written products for internal or external stakeholders. 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. 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. How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and your responses to all assessments required for this position. Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Grouping procedures. Under Category Grouping, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three 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. Attention to Detail Customer Service Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork The USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. You may preview the questions for this vacancy here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13097353 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; situational telework may be permitted in accordance with departmental policy 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. Other 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. Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with departmental policy. 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. 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. (https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)