This position is in the National Security Division (NSD). The incumbent serves as a liaison and primary point of contact regarding homeland security policy initiatives and projects that intersect with the Intelligence Community; and represents the Department at interagency and public/private sector meetings, working groups, and conferences; and serves as a panel member or presenter at speaking engagements concerning food and agriculture in national security policy initiatives.

Duties

Coordinates NSD efforts to identify emerging issues and technology capabilities to be applied to all hazard issues and problems; identifies multi- disciplinary skill sets across the Department to perform risk assessments and hazard evaluations. Quickly addresses emerging issues/threats that impact or have the potential to impact the Food and Agriculture Sector by briefing the Division Chief and Director; and maintains situational awareness of major threats and trends. Monitors, analyzes, and briefs senior USDA leadership on national and international events and trends and homeland security programs across the Department. Coordinates homeland security policy initiatives both inside USDA and with interagency partners and supports these initiatives before external audiences through the development of threat assessments, strategies, and approaches for reducing risk. Consults with contacts throughout the Intelligence Community (IC) and USDA and participate in USDA and interagency CI working groups (including cybersecurity). Co-chair working groups broadly related to food and agriculture security, including on homeland security issues, emerging topics, or agroterrorism. Advises the Director and other high level managers on critical policy developments. Coordinates with the Intelligence Community to discuss requirements and needs of USDA and the Food and Agriculture Sector at all points in the intelligence cycle, as well as workforce, development, or legislative requirements. Serves as a resource person in identifying emerging issues and technology capabilities to be applied to all hazard issues and problems. Delegates all intelligence and defensive counterintelligence related work, management of workload, review of all products and deliverables, performance evaluations, performance feedback, and management of any performance issues. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjusts priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work.

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.
• If selected, you may be required to serve a probationary or trial period as applicable to appointment type.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• 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/.
• This is a Special Sensitive position; therefore, as a condition of continued employment, the incumbent must successfully obtain and maintain a Top Secret SCI clearance.
• 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.
• 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.

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. 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 communicating intelligence or defensive counterintelligence information to management; and, providing feedback, analysis, and insight into complex intelligence issues and topics specifically pertinent to U.S. agriculture and/or biotechnology. 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

There is no education requirement 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]