Program Manager

Summary

This position is within TSA's Security Capabilities, Test & Evaluation, located at the Terrorist Improvised Explosives Detection and Synthesis Center, (TIEDS) in Huntsville, Alabama. This position performs program management and duties to include coordination and planning across multiple agencies, development of test articles, explosives characterizations, security screening equipment operation, loading and unloading baggage to support tests/demonstrations.

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Duties

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The incumbent serves as the senior TSA program manager and subject matter expert for TSA activities conducted at the Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center (TEDAC) Improvised Explosives Detection and Synthesis Center, (TIEDS).

Duties include but are not limited to:

Leads development and execution of the TIEDS Center annual planning calendar for TSA and participating organizations. Establishes project priorities, sequences work, identifies resource needs, tracks milestones and risks, and resolves scheduling conflicts. Ensures test, evaluation, training, demonstration, research, and critical-response activities are appropriately planned, integrated, supported, and aligned with TSA mission priorities.

Serves as the Transportation Security Administration's principal liaison with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Federal Protective Service, national laboratories, and other federal partners. Chairs or participates in management forums, working groups, executive briefings, and recurring coordination meetings. Develops recommendations, communicates program status, resolves cross-organizational issues, and sustains partnerships supporting transportation-security capabilities.

Provides programmatic oversight of TSA test areas, laboratories, and associated screening technology used for authorized test, evaluation, demonstration, training, and research activities. Coordinates equipment deployment, commissioning, acceptance, movement, calibration, preventive maintenance, removal, and logistics support. Ensures facilities and equipment are properly configured, available, maintained, and documented to support approved activities.

Manages the Test Article Program and related technical-support activities, including planning, coordination, accountability, issuance, maintenance, and availability of authorized materials and test-support equipment. Advises leadership on equipment capabilities, maintenance requirements, operational limitations, and resource alternatives. Establishes reporting approaches that enable accurate collection, management, and communication of test and system-performance data.

Develops, implements, and updates standard operating procedures and program practices governing test-area and laboratory operations, information protection, access control, classified-material handling, safety, and equipment accountability. Interprets applicable requirements and identifies process gaps, risks, vulnerabilities, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities. Recommends corrective actions and monitors implementation to improve program effectiveness and compliance.

Represents TSA in authorized interagency threat-informed discussions and collaborative activities supporting detection and mitigation capabilities across transportation modes. Analyzes program metrics, emerging needs, and stakeholder inputs to identify capability gaps and recommend priorities. Supports approved visits, demonstrations, tours, and senior-level engagements while protecting sensitive information and maintaining effective stakeholder relationships.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

1. You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
2. You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application.
3. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI).
4. Selective Service registration is required.
5. Must pass pre-employment drug screening AND random drug/alcohol testing.
6. You must complete a Tier 5 investigation.
7. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.

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

To qualify for the SV-K Pay Band (equivalent to GS-15), you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the SV-J Pay Band or GS-14 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in state or local government or the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Leading and planning, integrating, coordinating, and providing operational support for interagency test, evaluation, training, research and development, and critical-response activities involving transportation security.

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.

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.

Resumes must include the following:

1. Narrative description of duties with start and end dates (including the month and year) for work experience.
2. State the number of hours worked in a position (i.e., full-time or part-time). If part-time, state the total number of hours worked per week.
3. Performance level (i.e., band or grade)

You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Education

This position does not have a positive education requirement.

Additional 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:

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.

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.

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.

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. (

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.

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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.

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.

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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.