Security Specialist

Summary This position is located in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), Deputy Assistant Secretary and Assistant Director for High Threat Programs (HTP), Office of Special Programs (SP). Incumbent serves as a Security Specialist (Special Operations Coordinator, SOC) and the Bureau's primary liaison with the United States Special Operations Command's (USSOCOM) Integrated Survey Program (ISP). For more information about the Bureau, visit DS. Responsibilities Coordinates the prioritization of, approvals for, and conduct of surveys of U.S. diplomatic facilities overseas. Coordinates and advises Department partners in the development and modifications to the program's survey methodology, scope, collection mechanisms, and methods of dissemination. Liaises between stakeholders to streamline information, train, and manage resources related to contingency planning with the intention to integrate emergency planning assets and streamline survey efforts. Provides technical support to management to ensure timely, appropriate, and effective military assistance during heightened hostilities, crises, and evacuations at high threat overseas posts. Facilitates diplomatic passport issuance, ensuring compliance with Department policies and procedures pertaining to the issuance and control of Diplomatic Passports. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience formulating security plans to conduct evacuations and other special operations at high threat locations. Experience overseeing or coordinating integrated survey program data to support crisis response, contingency planning, and special operations missions. Experience directing contingency survey support activities to assist organizations in proactively avoiding crises. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position. Education Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement. Additional Information To request a reasonable accommodation for additional time on the timed sections of the assessment, please submit your request using the “Request a Reasonable Accommodation” button within the Assessment Application. For all other reasonable accommodations at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA) at View email address on click.appcast.io. OAA is responsible for reviewing and adjudicating reasonable accommodation (RA) requests for the Assessment Battery being used for this announcement. The following applies to all RA requests: RA requests cover additional time on timed sections only. Applicants submitting a RA request MUST attach supporting medical documentation signed by a licensed, treating medical provider. The documentation should describe the nature, severity, and expected duration of the condition, identify the relevant medical condition or diagnosis, and explain the basis for the requested extension. RA requests that do not contain supporting medical documentation attachments at the time of initial request may be subject to further review. Note: the following documents do not, on their own, qualify for automatic approval of the RA request: Schedule A letters, VA benefits letters, or SSA letters. Applicants MUST submit their application before the vacancy closes, even if pending an accommodation decision. Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow instructions related to medical documentation provided in the vacancy announcement prior to beginning the RA process. Applicants will have 48 hours after their RA request is adjudicated to complete the assessment battery. Scores generated after the allotted timeframe will not be admissible and the applicant will not be considered further for the vacancy. If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions. Veterans' preference points are added to the passing score of candidates eligible for either 10-point or 5-point preference. Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% or more are listed at the top of a certificate regardless of score. Other 10-point and 5-point preference eligible veterans who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed in score order. View information on veterans' preference on OPM's Fed Hire Vets website. Agency & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP & ICTAP): You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category and submit supporting documents under the required documents section of this announcement to receive selection priority consideration. To be considered Well-Qualified applicants must: score an 85 or above, meet Minimum Qualifications, and demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all major aspects of the position.