This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate, within the Test and Evaluation Division. The primary purpose of this position is developing DHS plans, policy and guidance related to test and evaluation (T&E) activities of any or all elements of the Department, whether through intramural or extramural programs. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Duties

As a Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Operations Research Analyst, GS-0801/1515-14/15, your typical work assignments may include: Providing highly specialized advice in the review of DHS components' Information Technology acquisition programs test and evaluation (T&E) design, execution, and assessment to ensure that their test and evaluation (T&E) programs are structured to provide accurate, timely, and essential information to decision makers for programs in all acquisition categories throughout the acquisition lifecycle. Ensuring that the test and evaluation process includes a requisite rigor and information to provide information about risk and risk mitigation, assessing the attainment of performance of system within an operational environment, and providing empirical data to validate models and simulations in support of T&E and information to support periodic performance evaluations. Ensuring that test and evaluation is planned and executed are conducted early in the program to provide insight into potential operational problems and progress toward meeting desired operational effectiveness, suitability, and resilience. Coordinating with programs with the integration of modeling and simulation activities with government and contractor T&E without compromising rigor. Providing senior-level expert direction and guidance to Leadership on information technology programs, as well as the development of next generation T&E application within information technology. All DHS-HQ announcements have a 5 business day open period due to the number of applications received. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Requirements

• 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 one-year probationary period.
• Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
• This position is eligible for telework based on agency policy.
• This position requires you to have access, safeguard, and store classified national security information on a regular basis. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• You must possess and maintain Test and Evaluation Career Field Level III certification or have the requisite experience to obtain and maintain Test and Evaluation Career Field Level III certification within 18 months of employment.
• This position requires a DHS Test and Evaluation Level 3 certification and completion of the DHS Operational Test Director's course. Same will be required to obtain requisite certification and training within 18-months of selection.

Qualifications

Basic requirements for the GS-0801 General Engineer series: An Engineering degree from a program that: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology (ABET); or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced that first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR A combination of college-level education, training and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background was obtained by a Professional registration or licensure - Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineers in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (E) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. OR A combination of college-level education, training and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background was obtained by a Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for a professional registration by an engineer licensure board in the various States, District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. OR A combination of college-level education, training and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background was obtained by successful completion of 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under item A above. OR A combination of college-level education, training and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background was obtained by successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided you have had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Basic Requirements for 1515 Operations Research Series A Bachelors degree in operations research; OR A Bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in a combination of operations research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical logic, science, or subject-matter courses requiring substantial competence in college-level mathematics or statistics. At least 3 of the 24 semester hours must have been in calculus. Note: You must submit your transcripts to verify your education. In addition to the above you must meet the below specialized experience: Specialized Experience for the GS-15: You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal government, performing duties such as: 1) Ensuring test and evaluation (T&E) design, use of modeling & simulation within T&E design and execution, evaluation and analysis of T&E execution of assigned programs and projects are conducted in accordance with approved test and evaluation master plans (TEMP) and (T&E) policy; 2) Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to develop and execute T&E projects and programs; 3) Developing and/or providing updates to T&E policy and technical guidance to improve T&E programs; 4) Developing acquisition budgets to ensure program has access to required test and evaluation resources. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level. Specialized Experience for the GS-14: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal government, performing duties such as: 1) Coordinating with stakeholders to identify and develop test and evaluation (T&E) design, T&E Master Plans, T&E Plans, and Assessments; 2) Participating in working groups and committees to review acquisition T&E program performance and develop suggestions for improvement; 3) Preparing reports to address T&E program performance, strategy, and management. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level. Note: Please include any DHS and or DoD test and evaluation training and certifications within resume. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. 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, 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. 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.

Education

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.

Contacts

• Address Department of Homeland Security Headquarters OCHCO/HRMS/MS #0170 6595 Springfield Center Drive Springfield, VA 20598-0170 US
• Name: Jenny Kern
• Phone: (912) 267-3100
• Email: [email protected]