Transportation Security Specialist - Aviation Security Advisor

Securing Travel, Protecting People - At the Transportation Security Administration, you will serve in a high-stakes environment to safeguard the American way of life. In cities across the country, you would secure airports, seaports, railroads, highways, and/or public transit systems, thus protecting America's transportation infrastructure and ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce.

Major duties

This Transportation Security Specialist - Aviation Security Advisor position is located at Security Operations, International Operations, Mitigation Operations, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The ASA is responsible for the sustainment of TSA comparable Aviation Security screening at international Last Points of Departure operating under a Preclearance (PC) or One-Stop Security (OSS) arrangement that mitigates risk to to inbound flights to the United States. Duties include but are not limited to: Serves as a principal advisor to foreign stakeholders on all Aviation Security (AVSEC) screening and operational matters. Uses technical and program management expertise developed as a Transportation Security Specialist to complete the majority of the work independently; keeps management apprised of issues that may require or represent significant shifts in operations, policies, and procedures. Represents IO as a senior technical point of contact on providing oversight and advice on facilitating TSA security activities in a dynamic environment. Elevates and responds to critical incidents that involves all appropriate stakeholders, with clear roles and responsibilities and defined communications channels. Serves as principal point of contact to provide advice and guidance on the application of policies and procedures. Reinforces previously conducted TSA standard operating procedures training, for both checkpoint and checked baggage, to augment the overall program; mitigates threats against aviation and other transportation sectors by providing mentorship, training and direction to personnel engaged in AVSEC screening activities. Makes recommendations to TSA program leadership on mitigation activities based on observations and analysis conduct at the LPD to address any deviations in AVSEC screening comparability. Performs other duties as assigned. The major duties described above reflect the full performance level of this position. Typically, the lower pay band (I Band) performs the same duties but will receive more guidance and training; and/or projects/work assignments may be less complex.

Qualifications

To qualify for the SV-I Pay Band (equivalent to GS-13), an applicant must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-H 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 knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as: Providing recommendations for, and coordinates the implementation of, strategic programs and operations; monitors execution to ensure success; Reviewing and assessing security operations and making recommendations for changes to enhance security and efficiency. Comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, policies, precedents and new and emerging directives sufficient to serve as an AVSEC advisor for TSA PC/OSS program areas. To qualify for the SV-J Pay Band (equivalent to GS-14), an applicant must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-I 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 knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as: Advising stakeholders on AVSEC screening and operational matters and mitigation strategies. Providing oversight of passenger and baggage AVSEC screening operations and recommending strategies to improve the implementation and evaluation of programs; Reviewing and assessing security operations and making recommendations for changes to enhance security and efficiency. Comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, policies, precedents and new and emerging directives sufficient to serve as an AVSEC advisor for TSA PC/OSS program areas. 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.

Requirements

You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National. You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI). Selective Service registration is required. You must be able to obtain and maintain a TSA Travel Card. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is authorized You must have the ability to obtain and retain a Top-Secret security clearance. Applicant selected for movement into positions covered by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Program must sign (Condition of Employment for Certain Positions Identified as Critical under the Drug Abuse Testing Program) and must pass urinalysis testing as required prior to appointment and periodically thereafter. Position subject to random drug testing. An employee who occupies a permanent TSA position in a foreign duty location will be provided return rights to a TSA position in the United States consistent with TSA MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVE No. 1100.30. Appendix 1 of TSA Human Capital Management (HCM) Policy No. 352-2, TSA Priority Placement Program (TSA-PPP). Positions are not permanent assignments; the max length of a duty assignment is generally two consecutive tours of duty. The initial tour is 36 months, with agency approval a second tour up to 24 months. During your assignment, an employee from Human Capital will work with you to complete a career assessment and to identify future position interests. Using this information, and in consideration with future leadership vacancies, you will be transitioned into another role based on your skills and the agency leadership needs at the termination of your initial assignment. 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.