The position is in the Continuity and Planning Division (CPD) and is located at the USDA Devolution Site in Missouri. The incumbent serves as a Mission Resilience Specialist for CPD to provide guidance and support to all USDA Mission Areas, Agencies, and Staff Offices in the development of Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning, training, and exercise programs, implementation of Federal Mission Resilience and leading a Continuity Crisis Action Team (C-CAT).

Duties

Provides direction, advisement, and oversight, coordinating key project and policy development and implementation initiatives for USDA facilities nationwide. Serves as technical agency expert for complex issues and conflicts relating to statutory obligations in continuity, devolution, and Federal Mission Resilience programs. Prepares and maintains plans and documents governing emergency preparedness responsibilities and functions relating to disaster recovery, emergency alert and notification, and deployment to alternate facilities and emergency relocation sites. Provides oversight of national systems or programs, such as the Incident Command Organization during COOP activation and deployment. Offers guidance and advisement on maintenance and improvement of standard operating procedures and supervision of performance during crisis operations. Prepares reports for the Secretary and senior staff relating to departmental COOP, devolution, Federal Mission Resilience program preparedness and status. Monitors and directs the mobilization of equipment, vehicles, communication capabilities, and operational facilities. Conveys top-level priorities and sensitive issues that might affect the logistics operations in each incident to operational managers. Assists the sites secure communications team with the proper handling/storage/usage/destruction of classified Communications Security (COMSEC) materials. Leads teams responsible for COOP, devolution, Federal Mission Resilience exercises. Advises on the formation, promulgation, and effectiveness of exercise program guidelines and policies that align with Federal Mission Resilience and devolution concepts. Coordinates training for the Secretary’s Out of Area Successors and members of the C-CAT and devolution components.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• May be subject to 24 hour on-call availability. This may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may include duties other than those specified in the official position description.
• You will be required to sign a Mobility Agreement as mobility is a factor in this occupation. You may be reassigned to a new location during your career based on the needs of the service.
• Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• This is a Special Sensitive, High Risk position; therefore, as a condition of continued employment, the incumbent must successfully obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance and special access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions and specialized experience, as defined below. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Specialized Experience: Qualifying experience for GS-14 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-13 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience developing and implementing policies, procedures, and standards related to continuity of operations, continuity of government, devolution, resiliency, and emergency management programs. 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, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Education is not qualifying at the GS-14 level.

Contacts

• Address Office of Homeland Security 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Paige Sharp
• Email: [email protected]