Duties
As a Intelligence Operations Specialist, GS-0132-7/9/11/12/13, your typical work assignments may include:
- Serves as a Counterintelligence Officer in the Counterintelligence Program Division and assists in the gathering of information and conduct of activities to protect against espionage and other intelligence activities. Incumbent identifies opportunities to provide CI support to homeland security operations and other sensitive activities.
- Assists in the development of collaborative information and knowledge sharing networks and builds alliance with colleagues and counterparts within area of responsibility. Incumbent balances the need to share sensitive or classified information against the need to protect information.
- Assists in the conduct of debriefings and interviews to obtain information of security, counterintelligence, investigatory and/or intelligence value. Incumbent demonstrates success in eliciting information in normal interview situations.
- Performs support work in conducting defensive counterintelligence awareness training for DHS personnel, partners and stakeholders. With supervision, incumbent develops, plans, coordinates, and evaluates counterintelligence training events specific to addressing customer's needs and requirements. With supervisory approval, she/he provides guidance and direction to supported elements.
All DHS-HQ announcements have a 5 business day open period due to the number of applications received. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 250 applications have been received, whichever happens first.
View common definitions of terms found in this announcement:
Common Definitions.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
- You must successfully pass a background investigation.
- You must submit to a pre-employment drug test.
- You may be required to serve a two-year trial period.
- Acceptance of an excepted service appointment from applicants in the competitive service will require a written statement of understanding when voluntarily leaving the competitive service.
- Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
- You will be subject to a pre-employment polygraph examination and random polygraph examinations may be conducted after entry on duty.
- Must be able to obtain/maintain a TOP SECRET/SCI Security Clearance.
Qualifications
GS-07 level:
You qualify for the GS-07 grade level if you possess one of the following:
- One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal government, or comparable experience in the private sector, performing duties such as:
- Assisting in the gathering information and conduct of activities to protect against espionage and other intelligence activities conducted for or on behalf of Foreign Intelligence Entities (FIE). Incumbent identifies opportunities to provide CI support to homeland security operations and other sensitive activities.
- Assisting with the analysis of potential threats and vulnerabilities and assists in the conduct of assessments in a counterintelligence context to protect against FIE activities.
- Assisting in the conduct of debriefings and interviews to obtain information of security, counterintelligence, investigatory and/or intelligence value. Incumbent demonstrates success in eliciting information in normal interview situations.
- Assisting in the interpretation of specialized datasets or other intelligence regarding a target's technological capabilities. With supervision, incumbent applies foundational knowledge of FIE capabilities and the ability to leverage United States Intelligence Community (USIC) resources to determine impact on operations within supported elements.; OR
- One full year of graduate level education at an accredited or pre-accredited college or university; OR
- A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application; OR
- A bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership:
- Class standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
- Grade-point average (GPA.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of:
- 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years; or
- 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years.
- Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies.
GS-09 level:
You qualify at the GS-09 grade level if you possess one of the following:
- One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal government, or comparable experience in the private sector, performing duties such as:
- Assists in the development of collaborative information and knowledge sharing networks and builds alliance with colleagues and counterparts within area of responsibility. Incumbent balances the need to share sensitive or classified information against the need to protect information.
- Employs counterintelligence functional services used to detect, deter, neutralize and exploit FIE activities directed against the DHS. Incumbent facilitates requested specialized functional services and applies the capabilities of those services to protect and defend homeland security operations from FIE activities.
- Conducts defensive counterintelligence awareness training for DHS personnel, partners and stakeholders. With supervision, incumbent develops, plans, coordinates, and evaluates counterintelligence training events specific to addressing customer's needs and requirements. With supervisory approval, she/he provides guidance and direction to supported elements.; OR
- A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related; OR
- A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.
NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the first year may be used to qualify for the GS-09 level.
GS-11 level:
You qualify at the GS-11 grade level if you possess one of the following:
- One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal government, or comparable experience in the private sector, performing duties such as:
- Apply techniques of debriefing, interviewing, and elicitation in a systematic manner through direct and indirect questioning to obtain information of security, counterintelligence, investigatory and/or intelligence value. Incumbent demonstrates success in eliciting information in normal interview situations.
- Understands the interrelationships among organizations and components of the USIC. Understands how one's own work impacts and is impacted by the mission and operations of USIC organizations and components and uses this information to maximize contribution to mission accomplishment.
- Engages with DHS HQ and operational components to develop partnerships for execution or implementation of CI policies and initiatives. Incumbent interacts with liaison contacts for operational coordination, information sharing, and other matters of mutual or multi-jurisdictional interests.
- Interprets specialized datasets or other intelligence regarding a target's technological capabilities. With supervision, incumbent applies foundational knowledge of FIE capabilities and the ability to leverage USIC resources to determine impact on operations within supported elements. Developing intelligence information reports and documents to explain the target's impact on national operations.
- Conducts CI investigative activities in accordance with the applicable laws, policies, and Departmental guidance
- Understands and applies knowledge of collection strategies, management processes, systems and tools.; OR
- A 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
- A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.
NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the first two years may be used to qualify for the GS-11 level.
PLEASE SEE THE EDUCATION SECTION FOR THE GS-12 AND GS-13 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE.
Current or Former Political Appointees: 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.
This position is designated as Emergency Essential. Emergency Essential personnel must be able to serve during a continuity of operation event without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, and acts of terrorism or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations (5 U.S.C. 7501-7533 and 5 CFR Part 752, as applicable).
Education
GS-12 level:
Specialized Experience:
You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal government, or comparable experience in the private sector, performing duties such as:
- Conducts defensive counterintelligence awareness training for DHS personnel, partners and stakeholders. With minimal supervision, incumbent develops, plans, coordinates, and evaluates counterintelligence training events specific to addressing customer's needs and requirements. With supervisory approval, she/he provides guidance and direction to supported elements
- Analyzes potential threats and vulnerabilities and conducts assessments in a counterintelligence context to protect against FIE activities. With supervision, incumbent develops and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies to improve the CI posture of supported elements.
- Conducts CI debriefs for personnel returning from foreign travel or with foreign contact, and other requests by supported elements.
- Understands how FIE or Insider Threats use the cyber environment to advance their goals, objectives and priorities targeting the Department.
- Utilizes approved investigative actions to discover the facts for the purposes of referring the activity to the proper authority, absolving the Subject of suspicion and/or providing the facts to the proper authority for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.
GS-13 level:
Specialized Experience:
You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal government, or comparable experience in the private sector, performing duties such as:
- In-depth ability to effectively communicate and coordinate with and advise management officials, program managers and specialists, contractor personnel, and representatives of other agencies; to reconcile differing or conflicting viewpoints; to organize information and present statements of position; and, to write succinctly and clearly.
- Understands and applies knowledge of collection strategies, management processes, systems and tools. Incumbent effectively employs CI/HUMINT collection strategies and processes to inform the USIC of potential CI threats to the DHS and USG.
- Maintains a thorough understanding of DHSs responsibility and appropriate roles within the Intelligence Community, in order to build interagency cooperation and facilitate the coordination of resources. Coordinates with Federal, state, and municipal civilian law enforcement counterparts for intelligence fusion and situational awareness of terrorist groups and FIS activities for both general awareness and for potential DHS jurisdiction.
- Ability to communicate moderately complex ideas both written and verbally in order to formulate and present findings, briefings, project papers, status reports, and correspondence to foster understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations.
- Strong customer service and interpersonal skills in order to maintain effective working relationships with both internal and external customers.
- Advanced knowledge of DHS I&A homeland security intelligence mission and the role of both raw and finished intelligence reporting in the relationship between DHS, State/Local governments and the Intelligence Community.
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.
All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website:
https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the
Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.
Additional information
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). 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 Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.
This position may be filled at the GS-07 or GS-13 level. If selection is made at the GS-07 level, promotion to the GS-13 level may occur without further competition.
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for TOP SECRET as a condition of placement in this SPECIAL SENSITIVE position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
This is a permanent appointment in the Excepted Service and will be filled on a full-time permanent basis. Employees hired under an Excepted Service appointment may be required to serve a two (2) year trial period.
This position does not confer non-competitive conversion to the competitive service. Acceptance of an excepted service appointment from applicants in the competitive service will require a written statement of understanding when voluntarily leaving the competitive service.
Veterans Preference: Veterans preference does not apply under Title 50 appointment authority.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training will be rated using a job questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform this job: Customer Service, Partnering, Strategic Thinking, and Technical Competence
If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:
Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF), and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.
Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPF's and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
If you are amongst the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the job questionnaire and application, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12998866
Interviews are required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.
If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be removed from consideration or your score may be lowered.
Consideration may be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards as an indicator of quality of prior experience.