PROGRAM SPECIALIST (VENDOR THREAT MITIGATION)

Clarification from the agency

Eligible NAF employees are considered under Hiring Path - "Federal employees-Excepted service"

The primary purpose of this position is: Serves as the Headquarters United States Central Command (HQ USCENTCOM), CCJ34 Vendor Vetting Force Protection Analyst. The Vendor Threat Mitigation Investigative Specialist / Force Protection Analyst oversees the complex and varied research, analysis, training, and preparation to identify potential adversarial threat and vulnerabilities to USCENTCOM's Vendor Vetting processes. The Vendor Threat Mitigation Investigative Specialist / Force Protection Analyst formulates program goals, plans, and serves as the USCENTCOM Officer of Primary Responsibility (OPR) for Vendor Vetting and Force Protection. The Vendor Threat Mitigation Investigative Specialist / Force Protection Analyst will also lead the Vendor Threat Mitigation process scrutinizing vendors and intelligence reports, collaborating with CCJ22 and CCJ43 through a unified effort, to provide a force protection assessment prior to decision board considerations. The efforts of the analyst will aid in Senior Leader's decision making aimed at mitigating risk to force and mission by denying nefarious actors receiving profit from DoD contracts to indirectly support terrorist organizations or attempting to gain information through installation access.

Duties:

• The Vendor Threat Mitigation Investigative Specialist / Force Protection Analyst will analyze vendor data to identify potential areas of concern, Identify and assess potential risks associated with engaging with specific vendors, communicate findings and recommendations, in both oral and written formats, to internal stakeholders, including procurement, legal, and risk management teams, prepare detailed vendor assessments on the potential risks to forces, assist in vendor selection process by providing insights and recommendations based on vetting findings, and to ensure that vendor selection decisions are based on a thorough and objective assessment.
• Conducts thorough investigations and assessments of potential vendors to ensure they meet necessary criteria for quality, reliability, and compliance, ultimately helping organizations make informed decisions about supplier relationships.
• Prepares and presents briefs both written and visual at related Force Protection and Vendor Vetting forums.
• Performs other inherently governmental duties and tasks assigned by the CCJ34 Force Protection Division.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov.
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Student Loan Repayment may be authorized
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In-depth knowledge of the USCENTCOM AOR and a bachelor’s degree are preferred for this position.
• This position works typical duty hours M-F 0700-1600 and is not routinely assigned TDY.

Qualifications

Conditions of Employment:

• Position is designated special-sensitive and requires a TOP SECRET (TS) security clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. A non­disclosure agreement must be signed.
• This position has been designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of USCENTCOM, national security, and public safety. Therefore, incumbent is required to: (a) refrain from the use of illegal drugs and misuse of prescription medication, and (b) if requested, submit to urinalysis testing on short notice. Incumbent must pass initial and may be selected for random drug testing. May be subject to reasonable suspicion testing, safety mishap, or accident testing. The selectee must sign a statement acknowledging the position occupied is identified as a TDP.
• This position is designated as a key position IAW AFI 36-507. Duties of this position are essential to the accomplishment of wartime/contingency operations. Incumbents of key positions must be removed from their military recall status if alternative for filling of the position during an emergency are not available.
• A minimum of 3 years civilian or military law enforcement officer with experience in preparing and evaluating investigative reports assessing credibility and possible violations of laws, as well as a minimum of 2 years in the management or supervision of contracts and/or contractors is highly desirable.

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions, Miscellaneous Administration and Program Series 0301.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes comprehensive knowledge of the principles, concepts, policies, objectives, and operating requirements of the USCENTCOM Vendor Threat Mitigation (VTM) Program sufficient to independently analyze vendor information, assess force-protection risk, administer assigned program functions, and provide recommendations supporting senior-level vendor vetting decisions. Knowledge of applicable Federal and DoD laws, regulations, policies, directives, and command guidance governing vendor vetting and threat mitigation, including applicable National Defense Authorization Act authorities and USCENTCOM implementing guidance, sufficient to evaluate vendor information and ensure program actions are consistent with established requirements. Knowledge and skill in applying qualitative analytical, evaluative, research, and fact-finding methods and techniques to gather, reconcile, correlate, and evaluate large amounts of fragmented, incomplete, or conflicting information obtained from multiple classified and unclassified sources. Knowledge of USCENTCOM missions, organizations, functions, and relationships with Joint Staff, OSD, Service Components, Combined Joint Task Forces, intelligence and law-enforcement organizations, contracting activities, national partners, and coalition partners sufficient to understand how vendor threat information affects command operations and force-protection requirements.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in­-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Knowledge of techniques and procedures to plan, conduct, and report on investigations or inspections of programs, processes, or incidents.
2. Knowledge of personal security processes, threat assessments, and vulnerability identification.
3. Knowledge and understanding of federal regulations, laws, and policies related to the DoW or specific agency (e.g. USCENTCOM OPORD 05-05, DoDI O-2000.16, etc.).
4. Ability to analyze complex information, identify issues, and evaluate operations to ensure compliance.
5. Skill and proficiency in preparing detailed, accurate written reports and delivering oral briefings to management or stakeholders.
6. Ability to work with other agencies, partners, or internal staff to coordinate security or compliance efforts.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

BASIS OF RATING: Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements.
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.

1. Online Application: Questionnaire
2. Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".
3. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
4. Veterans: If claiming VEOA, VRA or 30% Disabled Veteran - Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD-Form 214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge). This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD-Form 214. If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran, you must also submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces. NOTE: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15.
5. Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, AND a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held if different from your recent SF-50. The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1". Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2".
6. Promotion Consideration: If you wish to be considered as a promotion candidate and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirements. You will need to provide additional SF-50s which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-Grade, Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old).

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD-Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD-Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:

• Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
• Branch of Armed Forces
• Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
• Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
• Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
• Expected character of service (honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
• Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
• Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.
  Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form-214 must be submitted upon receipt.

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS:
Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.
Awards for Current Federal Civilian employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume.
Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s).

Next steps