Summary Joining the Secret Service, Office of Technical Operations, Aviation and Airspace Security Division will allow you to develop, coordinate, and implement airspace security plans for sites visited by the President and Vice President of the United States or other designated USSS protectees.
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Learn more about this agency Duties Help
The selectee will serve as a(n) Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator in the Office of Technical Operations, Aviation and Airspace Security Division. Typical work assignments include:
- Operating small, unmanned aircraft to conduct aerial surveillance, reconnaissance, site assessments, and related protective activities in support of mission-critical operations.
- Developing and reviewing flight operations plans, ensuring compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, agency policies, and operational constraints; leading real-time aerial surveillance during events, identifying potential threats or vulnerabilities and relaying critical imagery and data to protective teams.
- Testing, troubleshooting and evaluating Unmanned Aircraft Systems technologies and countermeasures, contributing to strategic Unmanned Aircraft Systems program development.
Apply for this exciting opportunity to support the Secret Service's mission by providing a technically secure environment for the President of the United States, Vice-President of the United States, and other protectees, and to provide leading edge technical support to criminal investigations conducted by the agency.
This Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator position starts at a salary of $85,447.00, GS -11 step 1, with promotion potential to $158,322.00, GS-13 step 10.
Requirements Help
Conditions of employment - U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service
If selected for this position, you will be required to:
- Obtain and maintain a Top Secret Tier 5 clearance. For more information visit OPM Mythbuster Page.
- Submit to a Full-Scope polygraph examination prior to your appointment.
- Submit a credit check after a conditional offer of employment has been accepted.
- Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.
- This position requires the incumbent to undergo and pass a physical fitness assessment as required by Secret Service policy.
- Applicants must possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license at the time of appointment, must maintain license while employed in the position and will be required to operate motor vehicles in accordance with applicable OPM regulations and related USSS requirements.
- This position requires the incumbent perform irregular shift work with adjustment in shift with little to no advance notification. Hours of work encompass fluctuating tours of duty to include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Overtime may be required as directed and the incumbent is subject to recall for extended periods.
- This position requires an active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or Department of Defense equivalent with UAS flight experience, including both Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) and fixed-wing platforms. Individual must sucessfully recertify every two years.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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 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 or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications To be considered qualified for this position you must meet the following qualification requirements for the respective grade level in which you are applying. GS-11: You qualify for the GS-11 level (starting salary $85,447) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level performing duties such as:
- Assisting with the operation or maintenance of unmanned aircraft systems to support aerial surveillance or protective activities.
- Collecting or analyzing unmanned aircraft systems sensor data to aid in threat identification or situational awareness.
- Participating in the preparation of operational reports or summaries to contribute to protective planning and asset deployment.
OR You have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related, from an accredited college or university that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform this work. (NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial) to support your claim).
OR You have a combination of specialized experience (less than one year) and graduate education (beyond 2 years of graduate education), that when combined equals 100% of the qualification requirement. Note: Only graduate education in excess of two years (generally 36 semester hours) may be used in this calculation. (NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial) and your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet the experience to support your claim).
GS-12: You qualify for the GS-12 level (starting salary $102,415) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level performing duties such as:
- Executing Unmanned Aerial Systems operations, such as threat detection, identification, tracking, and mitigation.
- Contributing to asset positioning or protective strategies via the development of reports.
- Administering or delivering training on Unmanned Aerial Systems, procedures, or policy to stakeholders.
GS-13: You qualify for the GS-13 level (starting salary $121,785) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level performing duties such as:
- Planning, coordinating, or executing Unmanned Aerial Systems missions.
- Developing or implementing standard operating procedures, flight protocols, or drone strategies.
- Providing training, mentoring, or leadership in drone tactics or counter- Unmanned Aerial Systems procedures
Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current competitive service employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50, "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to comply.
The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement. 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.
Education if you are qualifying for a position by substituting education or training for experience, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.
Additional information 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.
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components 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
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More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade and unit occur. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
This position is covered by Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUO) and additional compensation may be paid at the rate of up to 25% of the base salary.
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.
The Secret Service prohibits employees from having visible body markings (including but not limited to tattoos, body art, and branding) on the head, face, neck, hand and fingers (any area below the wrist bone) (exception: a single conservative and unobtrusive tattoo in the form of a ring is authorized on one finger).
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.
Help
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; 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 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.
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.
