Executive Protection Specialist


Employer: Department Of Agriculture 
Location: Washington, DC
Salary: $53,435 - $119,794 a year

USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management. Our vision is to expand economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production sustainability that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve and conserve our Nation's natural resources through restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.

This position is located in the Executive Protective Operations (EPO) of Office of the Secretary. The incumbent reports to the Supervisory Protection Specialist (Special Agent-in­ Charge) and Senior Protection Specialist (Deputy Special Agent-in-Charge) for Executive Protective Operations.

This position is being concurrently announced under Merit Promotion procedures on AG-01-2016-0075 MP . Disabled Veterans, candidates with 3 or more years of active duty military service, and candidates eligible for special hiring authorities can apply to the Merit Promotion announcement if they meet criteria for the above and include supporting documents.

Travel Required: 
50% or Greater
Some international travel is required

RELOCATION AUTHORIZED
No


KEY REQUIREMENTS
US Citizenship is required.
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
A 1-year probationary period is required.
May include completion of one year probationary period
A valid drivers license is required for the position.
Incumbent may be required to work during weather related closures.

DUTIES: The incumbent will perform the following duties:


Serves as a special agent and participates in coordinating security, communication, transportation, accommodation and logistics requirements for the Secretary of Agriculture
Participates in or assist investigations concerning threats to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture

Assists the Special Agent-in-Charge in planning the full range of programs and functions of executive protection
Ensures full compliance with procedures, regulatory and statutory aspects of personal security and logistics support are maintained
Participates with higher level agents on planning, developing, implementing, and executing personal protection operations which include, but not limited to, site advances, motorcade operations, route analysis and close-in protection in low to high-threat environments


QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restriction, and specialized experience as defined below.

GS-09 : Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and which is in or typically related to the work of the position to be filled. For this position, specialized experience is experience in applying physical security principles and concepts such as analyzing operational situations, identifying and describing solutions to solve problems while dealing with a large number of people with varying backgrounds and be able to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

OR

Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in business administration, finance, or public administration.

GS-11 : Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service. For this position, specialized experience is the ability to direct and oversee research of new or revised legislation or regulations that may have impact upon the office's operations; ability to report any situations that he/she feels warranted directly to the Assistant Special Agent in Charge or the Special Agent in Charge.

OR

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in business administration, finance, or public administration.

GS-12: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service. For this position, specialized experience is experience in understanding the variables involved in providing personal protection to high-ranking officials in a variety of situations, while maintaining an awareness of overall ramifications of actions taken.

GS-13: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service. For this position, specialized experience is being able to exercise a high level of tact and diplomacy to ensure the safety and security of key USDA personnel; expert in providing safe and efficient operations during the protectee's travel, as well as personal and physical security within the office.

(Note: This experience must be demonstrated on your resume/supporting documents).

ADDITIONAL KEY REQUIREMENTS Security Clearance: The position requires access to classified material up through the TOP SECRET (TS) Clearance level. Incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a security TS/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Clearance.

The incumbent for this position requires submitting to urinalysis screening for illegal drug use prior to appointment. After appointment, the employee will be included in the agency's random drug testing program.

Due to the physical and vigorous requirements of this position, the incumbent must meet the established medical and physical standards/requirements set forth by USDA, as is it considered essential to perform the duties of this position.

The incumbent must qualify to obtain a Special Deputation by the United States Marshals Service; including at minimum: having successfully completed an accredited basic law enforcement training program (civilian or military); having at least one year of previous law enforcement experience; not have a break in service in Law Enforcement for over 5 years; and not having been convicted of a crime of domestic violence as defined in Title 18, USC Section 922 (g) (9) Lautenberg Amendment.

NOTE: LAUTENBURG ACT : The duties, activities, and responsibilities of this position require the employee to carry a firearm and he/she must be in compliance with the Gun Control Act (Title 18, U.S.C .., 922). Any person who has been convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence is not eligible for this position per the Lautenburg Amendment. Candidates selected for this position will be required to certify they have not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence prior to assuming the duties of the position. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment (Title 18, U.S.C., 10010) and may result in removal from federal service.

This position requires the incumbent to travel frequently (domestic and international) and work irregular shifts. This position requires the incumbent to be able to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.

This position is FLSA Non-Exempt and eligible for Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUO) pay.

This position requires the incumbent to qualify semiannually with all weapons issued by the USDA and maintain proficiency.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED: The category rating procedure is used to rank and select eligible candidates. Under category rating, applicants who meet basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position and whose job related competencies have been assessed are ranked by being placed in one of the following categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified. Preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category.

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below:
Knowledge of Federal agencies and department's protective operations, practices, roles and missions
Ability to refine existing techniques and to develop new approaches to the analysis of position and logistical requirements
Knowledge of methods and techniques to plan and accomplish complex executive protection
We will review your application, including the online Occupational Questionnaire, to ensure you meet the job requirements and assess your ability to perform this job. Before any certificate can be issued to the selecting official, the resume and supporting documents are reviewed by an HR Specialist to ensure that (a) minimum qualification requirements are met and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your answers will be verified against information provided in your online resume and application. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position.Note : If, after reviewing your resume and / or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score can / will be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you.

To view the application form, visit: https://sec.usda.ntis.gov/cp/?event=jobs.previewApplication&jobid=C9C7728E-3C36-48F5-B736-A58B00C21BD7 


BENEFITS: The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package. Explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees at: http://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/enrollment/new-federal-employee-enrollment/

OTHER INFORMATION: • This position is eligible for telework and other flexible work arrangements. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor.
• Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).
• If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
• Relocation expenses are not authorized.

HOW TO APPLY: Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin.
The following instructions outline our application process.

You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday). Applying online is highly encouraged. If applying online poses a hardship, please contact our office during business hours well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages with supporting documents must be submitted no later than noon on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact us if you are requesting this.Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not have one) at www.usajobs.gov. It is recommended that as part of your profile you set up automatic email notification to be informed when the status of your application changes. If you choose not to set up this automatic notification, then you will have to log into your USAJOBS account to check on the status of your application.

Step 2: Create a resume with USAJOBS or upload a resume into your USAJOBS account. Customize your resume to ensure it documents duties and accomplishments you have gained that are directly related to this position in order to verify that qualifications are met. Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire (you may preview the online questionnaire by clicking on the link at the end of the How You Will Be Evaluated section of the job announcement).

Step 3: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the Occupational Questionnaire and attach any additional documents that may be required.
You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. Log into your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application” to continue. 

NOTE: Verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system. Once in the Agency's staffing system you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: The following documents are required for your application to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in mail service, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

Resume must include: 1) personal information; 2) education; 3) work experience including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; and title, series and grade if applicable; 4) supervisor's phone number, e-mail address for each work period listed, and whether or not we may contact them for reference checks; and 5) other qualifications.
College Transcripts if education is required for meeting basic qualifications and/or used as a substitute for specialized experience. An unofficial copy is sufficient; however, if selected, an official transcript will be required prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. Foreign education must be evaluated by an approved organization. For additional information, refer to the U.S. Department of Education web site at http://www.ed.gov. All transcripts must be in English or include English translation.You must submit the documents below if you claim any of the following:

Veterans , if claiming preference: DD-214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty showing dates of service and type of discharge. Disabled veterans must include VA letter & SF-15 if claiming 10 pt. preference. Current active duty members must submit certification that they are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after date the certification is submitted.


CTAP/ICTAP : Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; AND most recent performance evaluation; AND SF-50 demonstrating your separation or the position you will be separated from.


Worker's Compensation Separation : Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50.


Disability Annuity Termination : Notification from OPM of disability annuity termination AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held. Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456: Certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held.

NOTE : If a document is resubmitted, it replaces the previous submission, which means the previous document is no longer available to the Human Resources Office. If you are adding to, rather than replacing a previous submission, you must upload both the old document and the new document. Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded resumes must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX).

AGENCY CONTACT INFO
Tonique Coley
Phone: (202) 720-0027
Fax: (202) 260-8784
Email: Tonique.Coley@dm.usda.gov
Agency Information:
USDA/OHRM/ERMD
1400 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20250,
20250
USA
Fax: (202) 260-8784