Intelligence Operations Specialist
About This Position
This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Intelligence and Analysis, Intelligence Watch and Coordination Center, Open-Source Intelligence Division. The primary purpose of this position is to supports open source intelligence collection and analysis, providing timely and relevant information to inform Homeland Security missions and assist senior leadership decision-making. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.
Qualifications
You qualify for the GS-07 grade level if you possess one (1) of the following: Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-05 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience in Federal government, performing duties such as: As assisting with open-source intelligence operations assignments by gathering and compiling publicly available intelligence data. Supporting the preparation and dissemination of open-source intelligence reports; reviewing requests for open-source information; and assisting senior specialists in presenting findings and recommendations. Experience must demonstrate basic knowledge of open-source intelligence principles and methods, attention to detail, and the ability to follow established procedures under supervision.
Substitution of Education for Experience A bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership: Class standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. Grade-point average (GPA.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies.
Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision. -OR- One (1) full year of graduate level education at an accredited or pre-accredited college or university -OR- Combination of Education and Experience A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application. You qualify at the GS-09 grade level if you possess one of the following: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in Federal service, that demonstrates the following: Performing open-source intelligence operations assignments that include gathering, analyzing, and interpreting publicly available intelligence data.
Preparing and disseminating open-source intelligence reports; reviewing and responding to requests for open-source information; and making recommendations regarding the distribution and prioritization of open-source intelligence products. Experience must demonstrate the ability to apply established open-source intelligence principles and methods to complex situations, communicate findings to stakeholders, and support decision-making processes. -OR- Substitution of Education for Experience You may substitute your education for your experience if you possess one of the following: A master's or equivalent graduate degree. Two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree LL.B.
OR
J.D., if related. -OR- Combination of Education and Experience A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.
NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the first year may be used to qualify for the GS-09 level. You qualify at the GS-11 grade level if you possess one of the following: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in Federal service that demonstrates the following: Conducting substantive open-source intelligence collection and dissemination activities; researching and analyzing open-source intelligence requirements and publicly available information. Preparing portions of complex open-source intelligence reports; coordinating open-source intelligence collection requirements.
Developing and maintaining open-source collection strategies and plans; and representing the organization in presentations, briefings, and working groups. Experience must demonstrate advanced knowledge of open-source intelligence methods and techniques, the ability to analyze complex issues, and effective communication with internal and external stakeholders. -OR- Substitution of Education for Experience You may substitute your education for your experience if you possess one of the following: A Ph.D.
OR
equivalent doctoral degree Three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree LL.M., if related -OR- Combination of Education and Experience A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.
NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the first two years may be used to qualify for the GS-11 level. You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal government that demonstrates the following: Leading and supporting complex open-source intelligence collection activities. Researching and analyzing open-source intelligence requirements and publicly available information.
Developing and coordinating open-source collection strategies, plans, and postures; preparing reports and assessments of open-source collection activities and processes. Coordinating open-source intelligence collection requirements; and representing the organization in presentations, briefings, and working groups. Experience must demonstrate advanced knowledge of open-source intelligence methods and techniques, strategic planning, innovation, and effective communication with internal and external stakeholders.
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level. You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal government that demonstrates the following: Leading and overseeing highly complex open-source intelligence collection activities; researching and analyzing open-source requirements and publicly available information. Developing and implementing innovative open-source collection strategies and methodologies; coordinating open-source intelligence collection requirements.
Preparing and presenting open-source intelligence reports, assessments, and briefings for senior leadership; and representing the organization at the highest levels in interagency forums. Experience must demonstrate expert knowledge of open-source intelligence methods and techniques, strategic planning, innovation, and effective communication and leadership in complex environments. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.
All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Major Duties
As a Intelligence Operations Specialist, GS-0132-7/9/11/12/13, your typical work assignments may include: Lead and oversee highly complex intelligence collection activities, applying expert knowledge of advanced methods and techniques to address unprecedented problems and projects. Identify, research, and analyze requirements, directives, intelligence databases, and ancillary sources to gather and disseminate intelligence information for ongoing or emerging programs. Develop, coordinate, and maintain homeland security-related collection strategies, plans, and postures; create new concepts, guides, and methodologies to solve complex issues.
Coordinate all-source intelligence collection requirements, ensuring customer needs are articulated, entered, and met through appropriate systems and processes. Prepare and present reports, assessments, and briefings for senior leadership, providing recommendations and project plans to integrate new capabilities, processes, and technologies. Represent DHS at the highest levels in departmental and IC presentations, briefings, working groups, and committees, advocating for DHS information and capability needs and integrating interagency collection activities.
All DHS-HQ announcements have a 5-business day open period due to the number of applications received. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 250 applications have been received, whichever happens first. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training will be rated using a job questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform this job: Oral Communication, Planning and Evaluating, Project Management, Research, Strategic Thinking, and Technical Credibility If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories: Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF), and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPF's and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis. If you are amongst the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the job questionnaire and application, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12917424 Interviews are required for this position.
Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be removed from consideration or your score may be lowered. Consideration may be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards as an indicator of quality of prior experience.
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.
Additional Information
Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission.
If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.
This position may be filled at the GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 or GS-13 level. If selection is made at the lower level, promotion to the higher level may occur without further competition. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty.
False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Top Secret/SCI with a Polygraph as a condition of placement in this Special Sensitive Level position.
This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. This is a permanent appointment in the Excepted Service and will be filled on a full-time permanent basis. Employees hired under an Excepted Service appointment may be required to serve a two (2) year trial period.
This position does not confer non-competitive conversion to the competitive service. Acceptance of an excepted service appointment from applicants in the competitive service will require a written statement of understanding when voluntarily leaving the competitive service. Veterans Preference: Veterans preference does not apply under Title 50 appointment authority.
How to Apply
To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account.
Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only.
You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used.
You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM eastern standard time on the closing date of the announcement. Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
To preview the questionnaire please click the link below: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12917424. It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application.
Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position.
The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application.
Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement.
You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Applicants must submit all required documentation to properly qualify for this position.
Required Documents
Your resume
NOTE: Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. For what to include in the resume, click on the link: USAJOBS Help Center Your responses to the job questionnaire. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12917424 Are you qualifying based on education?
Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States.
For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title, Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee), Agency, and Beginning and ending dates of appointment. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)?
Submit the following: A copy of your agency notice, A copy of your most recent performance rating, and A copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location. Are you an IC CAE Scholar? Information on the IC CAE program can be found at https://www.dni.gov/index.php/iccae To verify you are a IC CAE Scholar, you must submit a copy of your transcript that shows you are current student at an active or legacy IC CAE institution, or an individual who has graduated from such an institution, who has successfully completed at least one course in IC CAE study areas, such as Intelligence, National Security, Critical Technologies, STEM, languages, or other areas of study as determined by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to meet Intelligence Community needs.
You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.