Physical Security Specialist Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. VAR003000 Department Library of Congress
Salary $117,962.00 to $153,354.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/17/2024 Close Date 1/2/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is located in the Protective Services Division, Security and Emergency Preparedness Directorate, Chief Operating Officer.

The position description number for this position is 013329.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.

This is a non-supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.

Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Anyone may apply - By law, employment at most U.S. Government agencies, including the Library of Congress, is limited to U.S. citizens. However, non-citizens may be hired, provided that other legal requirements are met and the Library determines there are no qualified U.S. citizens available for the position.

Duties

The incumbent of this position provides services, advice, and assistance in physical security matters to Library of Congress organizations and coordinates with agencies and organizations outside the Library of Congress.

Serves as a technical authority in assignments requiring the application of new theories and developments to physical security problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted security methods, technology, or procedures.  Resolves major conflicts in policy and program objectives. Performs key decision-making and policy-developing responsibilities for very difficult assignments.

Advises top-level agency security and subject matter managers on new developments and advances in security techniques in physical security, such as new techniques and systems to mitigate terrorist threat. Plans, organizes, and directs studies to develop long-range forecasts. Recommends methods for enhancing efficiencies of security systems through modification and application of evolving technology. Evaluates and makes recommendations concerning overall plans and proposals for major agency and interagency security projects. Implements national level guidance in agency standards, guidelines, or policies for major security programs.

Applies many different and unrelated processes, differing regulatory criteria and procedures, and significant departures from established practices, to reach decisions, or to develop and implement new methods and techniques that satisfy policy and operations requirements.

Interprets risk assessments and positive detection responses and notifies the appropriate authorities of a possible threat. Conducts preliminary site surveys to evaluate threat levels, working conditions, and time constraints. Utilizes such information to determine enforcement or search methods and the need for additional law enforcement support. Initiates corrective action appropriate to the threat involved, such as recommending establishment of new security systems or evacuation of federal and tenant agency personnel, individual facilities, and/or building complexes. Coordinates actions with other local and federal law enforcement agencies and property management personnel.

Coordinates security efforts for the most difficult programs or projects that have unusually demanding governmental and political conditions requiring the planning, development, and evaluation of matters of general precedent, extensive controversy, or wide coordination. Develops and executes methods for obtaining input from leaders of research, and government agencies to identify undeveloped approaches to address security problems. Works with federal, state and private sector groups to set research priorities, and program evaluation standards.

Manages a security/law enforcement program throughout a major agency organizational component such as a regional office, center, or major field installation. Serves as the agency's technical expert and delegates authority for the enforcement of federal statutes in the physical protection of all personnel and property, the protection of the civil rights of all persons, and the preservation of a safe, secure, and peaceful environment. Responsible for the operation and management of the agency's security and law enforcement program. Determines the need for, investigates, and analyzes state-of-the-art security systems. 

Reviews and develops new or proposed security policies, procedures, and guidelines for agency-wide use. The policies and guidelines impact the agency's work environment due to the sensitivity and impact of the issues involved. Serves as the primary agency technical authority with respect to policy and regulatory impact upon the agency's security programs.

Develops agency-wide recommendations on the modifications and corrections needed to bring proposed or existing agency security directives into compliance with legal or precedent guidelines. Identifies key policy issues and priorities, designs analyses, evaluates alternative agency strategies, and makes recommendations to senior agency management officials.

Plans, organizes, and coordinates briefings and information exchange opportunities. Serves as organizational spokesperson at public meetings, formal and informal briefings, workshops, and press conferences on extremely technical and complex program activities.

Performs contract administration activities for significant, highly specialized procurements. Coordinates incremental funding, redirection of effort, time extensions, change orders, stop work orders, approval of progress payments, and final payment to the contractor.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Conditions of Employment

The appointee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret SCI Clearance.

Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.

Qualifications

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

Knowledge of general security program administration policies, practices and procedures.**

Ability to provide protective services program oversight.**

Ability to serve as program liaison within and outside the agency.

Ability to exercise judgment and discretion.

Ability to communicate in writing.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade.

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see:Vetting Process

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application.  Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.
 
The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.

The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement.

The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.

Are you a veteran?  Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim.  Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214.  Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form.  If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.

Benefits

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.

The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview.

The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection.

For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library of Congress Merit Selection Plan, Section X.D, at: Merit Selection Plan


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).

Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application.  The program does not accept certification from health care providers. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

How to Apply

Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure you are considered for the position.

You are required to apply online for this announcement. We are unable to accept mailed or emailed documents. You must complete the entire application process, including submission of all documents BEFORE this announcement closes. To do so, complete the following steps.

Step 1: If you do not already have one, create a resume on USAJOBS. Although you must enter your Social Security Number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Library of Congress.

Step 2: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the end of the Qualification and Evaluation section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer in Step 4. You may wish to customize your USAJOBS resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions.

Step 3: Click on the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account and submit your resume. You will be redirected to the Hiring Management website to complete the application process. If this is your first time in Hiring Management, you will be asked to answer questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. You will be able to update this information and save it to our account for future announcements.

Step 4: Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken directly to the vacancy application questions. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly.

Step 5: Hiring Management offers three options that will electronically attach your documentation to your online application once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement.

(1) You may select a document that you have already uploaded to USAJOBS for a previous announcement.

(2) You may electronically upload a document directly from your computer to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation of the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have multiple documents of the same kind, e.g. 2 undergraduate transcripts from different schools or 2 SF-50s, etc., be sure that they are all in the same file on your computer or in your USAJOBS profile before uploading them. If you try uploading them individually, only the last one sent will be visible in our system. If you have any questions about this information, please contact the person on this announcement BEFORE the closing date.

Step 6: Click on "Finish" after you have completed your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your Hiring Management or MY USAJOBS account. Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation (e.g., SF-50, etc.) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. It is your responsibility to ensure that all documents are received on time and that the materials are readable. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded from consideration for this announcement.

If you are experiencing any technical difficulty with the online process, you MUST CONTACT THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. For all technical issues please contact jobhelp@loc.gov , no later than 4:30pm EST of the Closing Date. REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.

Agency contact information

Job Help Desk
Address
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Human Resources Dept.
101 Independence Ave. SE
LM107
Washington, District of Columbia 20540-2700
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Please review our evaluation process under Evaluation. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My USAJOBS" tab and clicking on "My Applications." You will receive final notification via e-mail when the vacancy has been filled.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.