Diplomatic Security Foreign Service Security Protective Specialist

Employer: Department Of State
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Job Description
Diplomatic Security: Foreign Service Security Protective Specialist

Department:Department Of State

Agency:Department of State – Agency Wide

Job Announcement Number:SPS-2014-0005

SALARY RANGE:

$45,038.00 to $45,038.00 / Per Year

OPEN PERIOD:

Monday, October 6, 2014 to Wednesday, November 5, 2014

SERIES & GRADE:

FP-0085-06

POSITION INFORMATION:

Full-Time — Limited Non-Career Appointment (LNA) – Initial appointment for an 18-month period and may be extended annually up to a maximum of 5 years.

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:

04

DUTY LOCATIONS:

MANY vacancies – Washington DC, DC

WHO MAY APPLY:

All potential applicants are strongly encouraged to read the entire Vacancy Announcement before applying.Applicants must be American citizens and at least 20 years of age to apply. Candidates must be at least 21 but must not have reached their 37th birthday at time of appointment. (The age restriction does not apply to preference-eligible veterans.)

SECURITY CLEARANCE:

Top Secret

SUPERVISORY STATUS:

Yes

JOB SUMMARY:


The U.S. Department of State is the lead foreign affairs agency formulating and implementing the President’s foreign policy and representing U.S. interests throughout the world.
SPECIAL NOTICES
  • Please go to www.usajobs.gov for application instructions.
  • Successful applicants are appointed to the Foreign Service as Limited Non-Career Appointment (LNA) employees with a federal benefits package.
  • Appointments will be made for an initial 18-month period and may be extended annually up to a maximum of five years.
  • All overseas tours are unaccompanied.
  • There is no conversion mechanism to a career Foreign Service position. SPSs are encouraged to apply to become a Foreign Service specialist, but must meet the applicable qualifications and complete the standard application and assessment process.
  • The appointment may be terminated by the US Government at any time with no less than a 30 days’ notice unless the termination is for cause. If termination is for cause, , the 30 days’ notice is not applicable.
  • The SPS may terminate the appointment by written notification at least 30 days in advance.
  • Promotion potential is to the FP-04 level. SPS will be administratively promoted from the FP-06 to the FP-05 level after 12 months of satisfactory performance of duty. Promotion to the FP-04 level will occur after 18 months of satisfactory performance in grade as a FP-05.
Key Requirements
All applicants, in order to be considered for selection, must:
  • U.S. citizenship required
  • Be at least 20 years of age to apply and at least 21 to be appointed, but must not have reached their 37th birthday at time of appointment (The age restriction does not apply to preference-eligible veterans)
  • Be available for worldwide assignment
  • Qualify for TS/SCI security clearance and obtain a suitability clearance
  • Obtain an appropriate medical clearance for Diplomatic Security Protective Specialist position
For more details see http://www.careers.state.gov or http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/regs/fam.

KEY REQUIREMENTS


DUTIES:


FP-06 Level:
Security Protective Specialists of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) at the FP-06 level provide a variety of personal protective services to Department officials and employees at overseas locations in accordance with Department of State and Bureau of Diplomatic Security established protective security policies, standards, and procedures.
Major Duties:
  • In the absence of supervisory level Security Protective Specialists or Special Agents, may serve as Detail Leader for contractor staffed protective security details;
  • provides physical protection for Department officials and employees at overseas locations, primarily at high threat posts;
  • drives the lead vehicle, principal’s vehicle or follow-vehicle as required in motorcade or similar operations;
  • provides body protection as part of protective formations during principal’s walking movements;
  • provides static coverage at principal’s residence, in a Command Post or other location as required;
  • reviews and assesses information relevant to the assigned protective operation to anticipate problems or incidents;
  • responds to emergency situations in accordance with established Bureau of Diplomatic Security protective security policies, standards, and procedures;
  • serves as a member of advance teams that plan and coordinate protective operations;
  • conducts site surveys to assess factors affecting the protective environment of sites to be visited;
  • carries and operates weapons and other specialized equipment required in the conduct of protective operations;
  • maintains requisite level of skills in firearms and other protective equipment and trains other SPS personnel in these skills.
THE SECURITY PROTECTIVE SPECIALIST (SPS) POSITION
The Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is seeking highly qualified and motivated men and women with extensive experience in protective security operations to serve in the Foreign Service at certain U.S. embassies, consulates and regional offices abroad.
This workforce will be deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Libya, Yemen and North and South Sudan and other high threat posts to supplement DS Special Agents in the supervision of contractor personnel and the provision of personal protection for Department employees. As members of a diplomatic team, Security Protective Specialists not only help to accomplish the mission of the Department of State, but also represent the United States to the people of other nations.
SPSs will work in tandem with DS Special Agents to ensure that a DS SPS or SA is always present and involved with every protective motorcade element. The SPS may act as the Detail Leader and may supervise contractor personnel.
Security Protective Specialists will receive Limited Non-Career Appointments. Appointments may be extended periodically up to a total of five years of service. Extensions beyond five years are not permitted. Federal retirement benefits accrue during time spent as a DS Security Protective Specialist. SPS will receive annual in-grade salary increases (step increases). Promotion will be in accordance with the following schedule:
  1. After successful, satisfactory completion of 12 months of service, FP-06 SPS will be administratively promoted to the FP-05 level.
  2. After successful, satisfactory completion of 18 months of service at the FP-05 level, SPS will be administratively promoted to the FP-04 level.
All assignments will be at the needs of the service. After the initial tour, SPSs may be transferred to other high threat posts overseas for two consecutive 2-year tours of duty.
There is no provision for election of post of assignment.
A limited, non-career appointment to the Foreign Service involves uncommon commitments and occasional hardships along with unique rewards and opportunities. A decision to accept such an appointment must involve unusual motivation and a firm dedication to public service.
The overseas posts to which SPSs will be assigned may expose the employee to harsh climates, health hazards, and other discomforts and where American-style amenities may be unavailable. Assignments to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Libya, Yemen and North and South Sudan are particularly challenging and may result in bodily injury and/or death. However, a limited appointment to the Foreign Service offers special rewards, including the pride and satisfaction of representing the United States and protecting U.S. interests at home and abroad.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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*NOTE: Qualifying experience would include at least three years within the last seven in one of the following fields or combination. Experience must have been progressive and culminated in at least one year in a position with increased levels of responsibility.
** Employment as a protective security specialist in a domestic or overseas venue
** Employment as a sworn law enforcement officer at the federal, state or local level in a tactical operations unit (SWAT, Special Ops, Executive Protection, etc.)
** Military service —
  • With a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) in Special Operations/Special Forces, infantry, military police or military investigative organization (CID/OSI/NCIS, etc.)
  • All other MOS – if MOS is in a field other than those listed above, other MOSs may qualify if a minimum of one tour of duty was spent in a combat arms assignment in a combat theater of operations.
  • Marine Security Guards – if MOS is in a field other than those listed above, MSGs may qualify if a minimum of one tour of duty was spent in a combat arms assignment in a combat theater of operations.
Other security/law enforcement experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis but if not in the areas identified above, qualifying for the position is unlikely.
For consideration of an application, the on-line resume and supporting documentation must clearly demonstrate at least three years of qualifying experience within the last seven years. Experience must have been progressive and culminated in at least one year in a position with increased levels of responsibility.
Applications will be strictly evaluated and those with higher scores attained in the on-line assessment (See – “Procedures for Applying” below) will receive primary consideration to proceed in the selection/assessment process.
Applicants must successfully complete all aspects of the approximate 22-week initial training program for their candidacy and their employment as SPSs to be continued; failure to pass any aspect of the initial training, including physical fitness tests, is grounds for separation.
Applicants for the Security Protective Specialist position must not have been convicted of any felony charge. In accordance with the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act, a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence may not possess a firearm. Applicants must be able to certify that they have not been convicted of any such violation and that they are not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms.
Applicants for the SPS position must possess strong oral and written communications skills in order to successfully compete in the Foreign Service’s thorough and competitive assessment process. Candidates must consistently meet a high standard in both written and spoken English. Written skills include proper sentence structure, grammar, spelling and punctuation. Oral communications skills include proper sentence structure, delivery, clarity and succinctness. Those whose skills are not at these high standards will be particularly challenged in achieving a competitive score in the assessment process.
Security Protective Specialists must perform duties in the field that are physically demanding. SPSs must be willing and able to meet these physical demands in high-stress, life and death situations. The SPS’s life and the lives of others may depend upon his/her physical capabilities and conditioning. Candidates must pass a thorough medical examinationto include Supplemental Physical Qualification Standards. A qualified candidate may not have a medical condition which, particularly in light of the fact that medical treatment facilities may be lacking or nonexistent in certain overseas environments, would constitute a direct threat to the health or safety of the individual or others, or would prevent the individual from performing the duties of the job.
Security Protective Specialists are required to perform protective security assignments with physical demands that may include, but are not limited to, intermittent and prolonged periods of running, walking, standing, sitting, squatting, kneeling, climbing stairs, quickly entering and exiting various vehicles, enduring inclement weather which may include excessive heat, as well as carrying and using firearms.
Security Protective Specialists perform other functions that may require jumping, dodging, lying prone, as well as wrestling, restraining and subduing attackers, or detainees. SPSs must be able, if necessary, to conduct security inspections that may require crawling under vehicles and other low clearances or in tight spaces such as attics and crawl spaces.
Sometimes it may be necessary for a SPS to assist with installing or maintaining security countermeasures, which might involve lifting heavy objects and working on ladders or rooftops. SPSs must be skilled at driving and maneuvering a motor vehicle defensively or evasively in a variety of situations and at various speeds.
Security Protective Specialist candidates are expected to already possess many of the skills discussed in previous paragraphs but all will receive identical training to insure consistency. This training will include firearms training, defensive tactics, restraining an attacker and specialized driving techniques. SPS candidates must be able to participate in and complete all aspects of their training.
Candidates must be willing and able to travel extensively throughout the world. Traveling and assignments abroad may involve working in remote areas where traditional comforts and medical facilities are limited. SPSs may be required to travel to locations of civil unrest where conditions are potentially hostile and where performance of duties is conducted under hazardous circumstances.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
While college level studies are desirable, the minimum educational requirement for a SPS candidate is a high school diploma or GED.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
  • At least three years of general experience in domestic or overseas security operations within the last seven years. Experience must have been progressive and culminated in at least one year in a position with increased levels of responsibility. Experience in protective operations at high threat locations abroad is particularly desirable.
  • U.S. citizenship
  • High School diploma or GED
  • At least 20 years of age to apply. Candidates must be at least 21 but must not have reached their 37th birthday at time of appointment (The age restriction does not apply to preference-eligible veterans)
  • Be in compliance with the Selective Service Act (male applicants only)
  • Successfully complete all written and oral selection examinations
  • Successfully undergo a background investigation and qualify for a TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION (TS/SCI) security clearance and obtain a suitability clearance
  • Pass a stringent medical examination
  • Be available for worldwide assignment
  • Pass physical fitness tests (to include a timed 1 ½ mile run and gender and age-specific repetitions of push-ups and sit-ups) and be fit for strenuous physical exertion
  • Possess a valid U.S. driver’s license
  • Be willing to carry and, if necessary, use firearms. Qualify with firearms throughout the period of appointment
  • Foreign language ability is desirable but not mandatory
  • Successfully complete all required training
WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
FP-06 level – At least three years of experience in domestic or overseas security operations within the last seven years in the areas identified in the Qualifications section of the announcement. Experience must have been progressive and culminated in at least one year in a position with increased levels of responsibility. Experience in high threat locations abroad is particularly desirable.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

THE FOREIGN SERVICE LIMITED NON-CAREER APPOINTMENT (LNA) SELECTION PROCESS
The Foreign Service selection process may be lengthy, multi-staged, and due to the limited number of appointments available, highly competitive. It commences upon receipt of the candidate’s application materials and will continue until a candidate is appointed from a list of eligible candidates (a process which can sometimes take a long a year or more), or the candidacy is terminated.
Current plans call for the entire selection process (qualifications evaluation and oral examination) to be conducted in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
Travel to the assessment location is at the expense of the applicant.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED
Candidates will be evaluated on their total background including experience, education, awards, training and self-development as it relates to the position. Part-time work experience will be prorated. Candidates will be initially evaluated through an on-line self-assessment/subject matter test administered through www.USAjobs.gov. Subsequently, some candidates will be further evaluated through a file review, a writing exercise and oral and written assessments. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be required to obtain the following:
  • Medical clearance for world-wide service (Class I clearance) and supplementary medical requirement pertaining to hearing and vision requirements and passing a stress test.
  • Top Secret (TS) security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access
  • Suitability clearance as determined by review of a Final Review Panel (FRP)
Once all clearances are received, candidates’ names are placed on a rank-ordered Register. Candidates may improve their standing on the Register by obtaining additional points for qualifying military service (5 or 10 Point Veteran Preference Points). Additional information on the clearance process is available on the Department’s website at www.careers.state.gov.
With respect to preference eligible veterans, Veteran Preference Points are added to the overall score once the selection examination process is satisfactorily completed. Candidates’ names are then placed on the rank-ordered Register and, with the addition of veteran’s preference points, standing on the register can be significantly improved. Candidates must document creditable military service by submitting a copy of DD-214. If seeking a 10-point preference, a copy of the award letter from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs must be submitted. In all cases, veteran’s preference points are added only after successful completion of the oral examination.
Application materials become property of the U.S. Department of State and will not be returned. Failure to adequately substantiate work experience by virtue of documentation and verification will result in termination of your application for the position of Security Protective Specialist.
Selection for the SPS position will be made only from among candidates possessing the best qualifications.

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