TRANSPORTATION SECURITY SPECIALIST

Vetting Analysis Division (VAD) conducts vetting and pre-screening of transportation related credential holders and applicants, passengers, and cargo to identify and report potential terrorism-nexus and national security threats. National Transportation Vetting Center (NTVC) operates 24/7 across 3 locations to conduct comprehensive vetting, risk assessment, and analysis of passengers, credentialed transportation workers, and cargo-identifying and confirming high-risk individuals and shipments. This Transportation Security Specialist position is located in the NTVC East Branch, Technology & Systems, Vetting Operations, Vetting Analysis Division, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to: Interprets vetting match results produced by an automated vetting system; uses classified and unclassified databases and computer-aided tools, conducts extensive research, including interpretation and evaluation, of complex multisource data to determine whether an identity being vetted is match to an identity on terrorism-related watch lists. Identifies gaps in needed information and takes action to obtain the proper intelligence and law enforcement information to support accurate security threat assessments. Conducts intelligence research using various open source resources and using a computer user interface to produce analytically sound oral and written referral reports that describe the nature and significance of valid matches to terrorism watch lists. Conducts substantive analysis to identify trends and patterns in transportation vetting results that are significant in the identification and mitigation of threats to the transportation infrastructure. Performs data analysis of credentialing and vetting programs to identify security gaps and develop programs to mitigate security risks. Please note:The major duties described above reflect the full performance level of this position. Typically, the lower pay band (H Band) performs the same duties but will receive more guidance and training; and/or projects/work assignments may be less complex. To qualify for the SV-H Pay Band (equivalent to GS-11/12), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-G or GS-9 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: Experience evaluating biographic vetting results against terrorism, criminal, or immigration watchlists; Experience with various nodes of Law Enforcement IT systems such as Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment (TIDE), Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB), Treasury Enforcement Communications System (TECS), Unified Passenger (UPAX), National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Consular Consolidated Database (CCD), and/or other databases used in open-source analysis; Experience preparing and distributing vetting reports to internal and external government agencies; and Experience analyzing and interpreting multi-source data. OR Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR LL.M., if related OR Combining of Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education, beyond the second year, and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for this position, and may be computed by first determining your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the band level; then determining your education as a percentage of the education required for the band level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent. GRADUATE EDUCATION: Education at the graduate level in an accredited college or university in the amounts indicated above meets the requirements for this position. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the one year of full-time study requirement. 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. 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. This position is part of a 24/7/365 mission critical operational center and requires shift work including evenings, nights, weekends, and/or holidays as determined by operational needs.. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance based on a Special Background Investigation (SBI) with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). May require Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel up to 25% of the time. This is a testing Designated position. Employee required to pass drug screening prior to appointment and periodically as required during employment. This position is Emergency Essential. 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. For positions requiring positive education requirements, or if you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or an itemized list of college courses from an accredited college or university, which includes equivalent information from the transcript (course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned) in your resume. The information must be provided with the application by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, the applicant must supply a transcript or certification of degree.