Clarification from the agency

All groups of qualified individuals - ALL US CITIZENS

The Executive Director for Drones and Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems provides high level advice and counsel on science and technology issues and critical matters pertaining to polices, priorities, and program direction of the Department and Directorate. Reviews and analyzes key emerging science and technology issues of direct and substantial interest and concern.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Oversees the allocation and execution of resources to support DHS and other government agencies in monitoring drones and counter unmanned aircraft systems.
• Conducts comprehensive research and development on monitoring procedures for drones and CUAS to ensure compliance with established guidelines and participates in the formulation of departmental policies, directives, and procedures.
• Ensures these policies are consistent with legal requirements, administratively sound, efficient, and cost-effective.
• Provides oversight and expert guidance on drones, CUAS and related program areas, advising the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, and senior officials on issues impacting national security.
• Offers expert advice and input on monitoring procedures to ensure adherence to established guidelines, assessing legislative matters and their impact on departmental programs related to drones and CUAS.
• Provides recommendations on optimal approaches for equipping DHS components and other government agencies with requirements, capabilities, standards, systems analysis, systems engineering, technology readiness, and operational testing and evaluation.
• Advises senior officials on the development and planning of department-wide programs, ensuring continuity of operations and integrating drones and CUAS policies into business and government processes.
• Provides insights on emerging technologies such as 5G, augmented reality (AR), and computer vision, highlighting their potential to enhance drone communication, intelligence, and market growth.
• As drones and CUAS usage expands for personal and commercial purposes, refines and implements DHS rules and regulations based on government standards to address new security vulnerabilities and attack vectors introduced by drones and counter unmanned aircraft system.
• Develops policies and oversees compliance for drones and counter unmanned aircraft system based delivery applications, including the transportation of food, mail, and medicine, as companies experiment with these innovations.
• Manages advancements in drones and CUAS technology, including extended flight times, improved range through battery innovations, enhanced AI integrations, and the development of smaller, more capable drones and CUAS.
• Fosters formal relationships with senior officials in other executive departments regarding homeland security matters as it relates to drones and CUAS.
• Represents the Under Secretary and senior management in high-level meetings and conferences with private citizens, industry representatives, and federal, state, or local officials with vested interests in homeland security drones and CUAS.
• Prepares briefings for the Under Secretary and senior officials on critical issues and decisions, ensuring DHS positions as it pertains to drones and CUAS are effectively represented, and crosscutting issues are resolved promptly and efficiently.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
• You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• Subject to a 1-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.

Qualifications

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.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. 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). A sample 2-pages resume that incorporates ECQs and TQs can be viewed on this link (indexed at page 16 - 17) Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.

TQ 1: Demonstrated extensive knowledge of drones and counter-unmanned aircraft systems (CUAS), as well as advanced management and organizational principles and practices.

TQ 2: Demonstrated strong decision-making skills that deliver high-quality outcomes by leveraging technical expertise, analyzing complex problems, and assessing risks effectively.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs:

• 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.

Detailed information on each ECQs, the underlying and fundamental competencies, and informaton regarding the Structured Interview QRB (SIQRB) Process are available in the "Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board."

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES 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.

Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

Current or Former Political Appointees: OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the DHS Headquarters Executive Services team.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

A multi-step process is used to evaluate and refer applicants:

1. Minimum requirements: Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. Your application must show that you meet all requirements including the education and/or experience required for this position. You may be rated "not qualified" if you do not possess the qualification requirements for the position. If your application is incomplete, you may be found "ineligible".

2. Rating and Ranking: If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (MTQ) listed above. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. A panel of subject matter experts will review your application and evaluate your qualifications for this position based on the information in your application. Your application will be rated, based on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of this position. Highly/Top Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

3. Referral: If you are among the higly/top qualified candidates, your application will be referred to a selecting official for consideration and a possible interview. The DHS Executive Resources Board (ERB) will review the results and make recommendations on final selections to the ERB Chair and appointing authority, where final interviews and reference checks may occur. Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.

Your supporting documents are an integral part of the process for determining your qualifications for the position. If your responses are not supported by your resume, you will be eliminated from consideration. After reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, if a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Incomplete or late applications will not receive further consideration.

A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.

1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.

ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable:

CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: I am applying as someone that currently holds or has held a position in the federal civil service--the federal civil service is defined as positions in the executive, judicial, and legislative branches; it does not include positions in the uniformed services. I must submit:

• SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action
  • Upload under "SF-50" document type in the agency application system.
• Proof of holding of federal civil service position
  • If you work(ed) for an agency that does not provide an SF-50--for example, the United States Postal Service--provide documentation that confirms you currently hold or have held a position in the federal civil service.
  • Upload under "SF-50" document type in the agency application system.

CURRENT SES MEBERS: I am applying as a current career Senior Executive Service (SES) member. I must submit:

• SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action
  • Block 5-B (Nature of Action) must identify SES career appointment.
  • Upload under "SF-50" document type in the agency application system.

FORMER SES MEBERS:I am applying as a former career Senior Executive Service (SES) member that is reinstatement eligible. I am eligible for reinstatement to the SES because (1) I successfully completed the 1-year SES probationary period or am exempt because I was converted to the SES as a career appointee when the SES was first established, and (2) left the SES for reasons other than misconduct, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or less than fully successful performance, or resignation after receipt of a notice proposing or directing removal under any of the aforementioned conditions. I must submit:

• SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action
  • Block 5-B (Nature of Action) must identify SES career appointment.
  • Upload under "SF-50" document type in the agency application system.

SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: I am applying as an SESCDP graduate. I must submit:

• Certificate of Executive Qualifications
  • Upload under "Certificate of Executive Qualifications" document type in the agency application system.

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