Critical Infrastructure Resilience Program Specialist - Arlington, VA

Job Description

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Position Title: Program Specialist
Series & Grade: GS 0301 13
Organization: Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Infrastructure Security Division, Resilience Services Branch
Location: Arlington, VA (onsite)
Security Clearance: Secret (Non Critical Sensitive)
Appointment Type: Permanent, Full Time
Who May Apply:

• Veterans with a 30% or more service connected disability rating
• Individuals eligible under Schedule A (5 CFR 213.3102(u))

Summary
This position is located in the Infrastructure Security Division (ISD) within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). ISD focuses on protecting critical infrastructure from all hazards by managing risk and enhancing resilience through collaboration with the critical infrastructure community, including private sector owners and operators; State, local, Tribal, and territorial (SLTT) officials; and other Federal agencies.
The Program Specialist supports the Resilience Services Branch by developing and promoting strategic plans, coordinating division priorities, and managing assessment and planning products that address emerging security challenges across cyber, physical, and natural hazard domains.

Duties:
As a Program Specialist, GS 0301 13, you will:
Program Planning and Management Execution (approx. 40%)

• Plan and execute substantive Integrated Planning strategy and planning projects in support of ISD's mission.
• Develop and manage long range management plans to support efficient and effective program implementation and administration.
• Apply critical infrastructure security and resilience concepts to design and execute resilience planning and assessment capabilities across multiple domains.
• Provide continuous review, analysis, and development of programs, plans, and activities, ensuring long and short range planning initiatives are implemented consistently and effectively.
• Translate management goals and objectives into effective operations by establishing control systems and progress reporting requirements to monitor production goals and program priorities; adjust schedules and priorities to meet new requirements or unforeseen situations.
• Maintain awareness of key issues related to resilience assessment and planning, including evolving needs from regional offices, SLTT and private sector stakeholders, and relevant academic and research outputs.

Management and Program Analysis (approx. 20%)

• Independently identify complex program issues or problems in assigned programs and recommend and coordinate resolutions and improvements.
• For pilot projects and regional collaborations, work with some oversight to navigate complex stakeholder engagements and identify solutions to particularly challenging program issues.
• Conduct surveys and research projects and provide advisory services on substantive program issues of complex scope and impact to assess the effectiveness of program operations.
• Conduct special studies of program functions and work processes; present findings, options, and recommendations through briefings, after action reports, project papers, and other analytic products.
• Participate in reviews of activities being considered for conversion to contract operations, providing advice and recommendations on research techniques and program implications.
• Evaluate ongoing functions to ensure programs meet stated goals; identify areas where operational efficiency can be enhanced; monitor productivity and oversee implementation of solutions to address problem areas.
• Provide guidance to teammates on project goals, deadlines, success criteria, and performance measures.
• Serve as project manager by organizing work, setting priorities, determining resource requirements, and coordinating with other organizations; develop and maintain project/program schedules and ensure delivery of solutions that meet stakeholder priorities, budget, and requirements.

Planning and Coordination (approx. 30%)

• Coordinate with Federal, SLTT organizations, private sector stakeholders, National Laboratories, academic partners, and designated Sector Risk Management Agencies (SRMAs) in the development, testing, and deployment of planning and assessment capabilities.
• Develop, review, and revise strategic and operational reports, policies, and procedures in accordance with ISD priorities.
• Serve as a liaison with stakeholder organizations and associations, keeping abreast of ISD programs on critical infrastructure security and planning.
• Represent the Integrated Planning Branch at meetings, conferences, and other forums with government officials, industry, academia, and other stakeholders; ensure effective coordination and follow up with Planning and Integration leadership and interagency partners.
• Work with internal CISA partners to design, develop, and deliver training, doctrine, and guidance to build capacity among regional office personnel, Protective Security Advisors, and other CISA staff and contractors supporting the infrastructure security mission.
• Manage and coordinate a wide spectrum of projects, including data gathering, analysis, option development, recommendation formulation, schedule setting, and milestone tracking; analyze operational trends and compile data for analysis.

Representing the Agency (approx. 10%)

• Work with officials of other units, private sector, and intergovernmental organizations, advising management officials of higher rank on program issues.
• Serve as an authoritative source of consultation for other managers and program specialists.
• Defend findings and recommendations in public or high level forums, including stakeholder meetings, subcommittees and working groups, external conferences, interagency meetings, and other venues.
• Represent the agency publicly on assigned program areas, including presenting findings from major studies and supporting outreach activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Certificates/Security Clearances/Other

Requirements:

• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance (Non Critical Sensitive).

Additional Qualifications/Responsibilities

Requirements:

• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance (Non Critical Sensitive).
• You must successfully pass a pre employment drug test and are subject to random drug testing thereafter.
• This position may be designated as Essential Personnel. Essential personnel must be able to report for duty or remain on duty during continuity of operations events regardless of weather, protests, acts of terrorism, or funding lapses.
• You may be required to travel occasionally and to participate in operational exercises, including some work in outdoor environments.

Qualifications:
You must meet the qualification requirements for the GS 0301 13 grade level by the closing date of the announcement.
Who May Apply (Hiring Path Restriction):
This announcement is limited to:

• Veterans with a 30% or more service connected disability rating; and/or
• Individuals eligible under Schedule A for persons with disabilities (5 CFR 213.3102(u)).

You must provide appropriate documentation (e.g., VA letter, Schedule A letter) with your application.
Specialized Experience (GS 13):

• You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS 12 level (or equivalent) that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience is typically in or related to program and project management, program analysis, critical infrastructure security and resilience, or related mission oriented programs.
• Qualifying specialized experience includes performing all of the following (or equivalent):
• Planning and executing complex program or project activities, including the development and implementation of strategic or operational plans, management plans, and/or long range program plans for mission oriented programs.
• Conducting management and program analysis, including identifying complex program issues, conducting surveys or research projects, evaluating program effectiveness, and recommending improvements to operations, processes, or control systems.
• Managing or coordinating projects involving multiple stakeholders (e.g., Federal agencies, SLTT governments, private sector partners, or academic/research entities), including development of schedules, milestones, and performance measures.
• Developing, reviewing, and revising program policies, procedures, or guidance documents to support program implementation and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Preparing and delivering briefings, reports, or analytic products to management or external stakeholders, explaining findings and defending recommendations on program or operational issues.

Note: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs and other organizations. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience, including job titles, duties, dates (month and year), and hours worked per week.

Education

• There is no substitution of education for the specialized experience required at the GS 13 level for this position.

Additional Information:

• This position is covered under the Miscellaneous Administration and Program Series, GS 0301.
• You may be required to work extended or irregular hours, including evenings or weekends, in support of incident response, operational exercises, or time sensitive planning and assessment activities.