Executive Director, Test & Evaluation

Test & Evaluation plans and conducts integrated developmental, certification, operational, and acceptance testing across the Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL), Transportation Security Administration Systems Integration Facility (TSIF), and field operations to validate performance and confirm systems are ready for TSA deployment. The Executive Director, Test and Evaluation (T&E), Security Capabilities (SC), Technology & Systems (TS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) serves as the independent Operational Test Agent (OTA) on behalf of TSA as well as the Director of the TSA Systems Integration Facility (TSIF); and provides developmental, certification, qualification, and operational test and evaluation support to the TSA and other DHS components. The Executive Director, T&E serves as the primary liaison to DHS Headquarters on all T&E matters, including T&E policy, and establishes the Division's strategies, goals, and objectives, and ensures alignment with SC, TSA and DHS strategies, goals and objectives. Duties include: Conducting risk analysis to manage TSA acquisition programs' costs, schedules and performance baselines. Identifying and assessing risk areas related to test activities and associated program costs, schedules, and performance, implementing appropriate mitigations and contingencies as necessary. Developing and maintaining a robust T&E capability to support all testing for TSA to include: acquisition support, Concept of Operations (CONOPS) or process development/refinement, and threat mitigation. Ensuring test activities are executed in accordance with T&E directives, SC/CAE Test and evaluation Policy, as well as the SC T&E Guidebook. Conducting outreach in support of TSA and DHS acquisition executives on matters related to T&E to include engagement with TSA operational elements, industry associations, equipment manufacturers, the DHS Science and Technology (S&T)Directorate, and others as appropriate. Serving as Supervisor of the Deputy Director of the Transportation Security Laboratory, a DHS S&T laboratory which executes developmental and independent test and evaluation in support of the certification of TSA screening technologies. Directing the TSA-related activities at the Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center (TEDAC) Improvised Explosives Detection and Synthesis Center, a laboratory dedicated to researching, manufacturing, testing, and characterizing Improvised Explosives and Devices. Coordinating with executives and senior executives across internal and external organizations to ensure consistency in application of communications, processes and procedures related to T&E. 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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. As a basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications listed below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the equivalent of the GS-15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state and local government, the private sector, or non-governmental organizations. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs) related to this position within your resume. Your resume MAY NOT EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will be deemed ineligible and will not receive further consideration. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-BASED. Therefore, evidence of each ECQ and TQ must be CLEARLY REFLECTED in your resume. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the following technical qualifications. 1. Demonstrated experience applying procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise in Testing and Evaluation of aviation security technologies, capabilities and systems. 2. Demonstrated knowledge of test methodologies and strategies, strategic risk assessment, requirements analysis, systems engineering, operations research and modeling and simulation in order to manage a Testing and Evaluation program. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES)/Transportation Security Executive Service (TSES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect the the ECQs and TQs, you will not receive further consideration for the position. ECQ 1 • COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING. This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2 • DRIVING EFFICIENCY. This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3 • MERIT AND COMPETENCE. This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4 • LEADING PEOPLE. This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5 • ACHIEVING RESULTS. This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. NOTE: If you are a member of the SES/TSES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES/TSES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES/TSES. FAILURE TO MEET OR FULLY ADDRESS EACH EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATION AND TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS IN THE RESUME WILL ELIMINATE A CANDIDATE FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION. Must be a U.S. Citizen. Must serve a probationary period of one year unless you previously completed the probationary period in a SES/TSES position. Must complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. Subject to pre-employment and random drug tests. Must file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on. Must complete a favorable Tier 5 Background Investigation (T5). This position requires a TS/SCI (Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information) clearance that must be completed prior to appointment. You will be subject to a 5-year periodic investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance. Failure to obtain and maintain the required clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal. There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement • FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information). 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. This position does not have a positive education requirement.