Program Analyst

Summary

The Security Capabilities (SC) office identifies, analyzes, acquires, and sustains advanced security technologies and operational capabilities that strengthens transportation security. SC conducts analysis to identify emerging threats, capability gaps, and operational needs, applying those requirements into innovative solutions that support frontline operations.

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Duties

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This Program Analyst position is located in Technology and Systems (Security Capabilities), Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to:

• Advises management on the operational effectiveness and efficiency of assigned
  program(s). Provides recommendations to address areas of concern; oversees
  implementation of fixes and assesses effectiveness of solutions. Advises management
  on unusual or complex operational issues.
• Reviews laws, regulations, and polices to assess, evaluate, and advise on sustainable
  practices for assigned program(s) and/or projects. Gives guidance on interpretation and
  implementation of new or revised legislation, policies, regulations and procedures.
• Develops, analyzes, and evaluates new or modified program/management requirements,
  policies, goals, or objectives for impact on existing program(s). Establishes new
  policies/procedures to address operational needs, or makes exceptions to existing
  policies/procedures that may impact internal and external customers. Maintains
  situational awareness of emerging risk-based efforts and activities within area of
  assignment to maximize development and effectiveness of new TSA programmatic
  approaches.
• As subject matter expert, participates in discussions, meetings, conferences and
  conference calls with administrative and technical personnel, other subject matter
  experts, and other agency officials. Interactions are to educate and advise; share
  information; investigate facts; present conclusions and recommendations; obtain
  concurrence on alternate courses of action; and to resolve problems collaboratively.
• Establishes approaches and techniques for complex studies or audits. Analyzes findings
  and interprets impact on programs and procedures; makes recommendations to senior
  officials and convinces other operating components to accept recommendations as
  appropriate. Recommendations include work method or procedural changes, systems
  variations, and acceptance of new technology developments.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

NOTE: Duties are at the Full Performance Level. (SV-J)

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. Incumbent must obtain and maintain a Secret security 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 meet the minimum qualifications described below, you must meet the following specialized experience requirement to be considered qualified for the position:

To qualify for the SV- H Pay Band (equivalent to GS-12), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-G or GS-11 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:

• Developing and implementing project plans; AND
• Performing liaison functions with local and field operations; AND
• Performing quality assurance assessments; AND
• Serving as an information resource regarding operational policies and procedures.

To qualify for the SV-I Pay Band (equivalent to GS-13), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-H Pay Band 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 particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such specialized experience is defined as:

• Experience tracking, compiling and analyzing statistical and narrative data from a variety of sources; AND
• Experience creating reports, informational summaries, briefings, and other written materials for internal and external stakeholders; AND
• Experience evaluating policies, procedures and regulations for applicability and compliance.

To qualify for the SV-J Pay Band (equivalent to GS-14), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-I Pay Band or GS-13 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such specialized experience is defined as:

• Providing program and project management support for complex administrative activities, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, timelines, and executive expectations; AND
• Leading the collection, validation, and analysis of information from multiple sources to develop high-quality presentations, reports, and briefing materials for senior leadership decision-making; AND
• Developing, reviewing, and coordinating executive-level memorandum and administrative correspondence for senior leadership officials, ensuring accuracy, clarity, appropriate tone, and compliance with organizational standards.

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

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.

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.