Summary This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Policy, Washington, District of Columbia. Responsibilities The primary purpose of this position is to support the Assistant Secretary of lnternational Affairs in identifying and managing opportunities to pursue the Department's goals in the Western Hemisphere and furthering the Department's mission through cooperation and collaboration with foreign nations and other partners.Duties performed: Identifies and manages opportunities to pursue the Department's homeland security agenda in the region, whether through information exchange, educational seminars, joint training and exercises, or other activities ensuring the utilization of best practices. Plans, directs, and manages the development of homeland security policies in Latin America. Prepares senior DHS officials for meetings involving foreign dignitaries or delegations, U.S. cabinet officers, and members of Congress. Manages international activities and issues on behalf of the Department, in coordination with other Federal officials with responsibility for homeland security matters. Advises management and colleagues on difficult problems, conducts special studies, and proposes options and alternatives. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position. You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/). One-year probationary period may be required. This is a Drug Testing Designated Position (TDP) and is covered by the Department of Homeland Security Headquarters Drug-Free Workplace Program. The incumbent is required to sign a Condition of Employment form (for certain positions identified as critical under the drug testing program) and must pass urinalysis testing, as required prior to appointment, reassignment, or transfer, and employee will be subject to random testing while employed with the Department in a TDP. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application. DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. License required: No Pre-employment physical required: No Bargaining Unit Position? This is a non-bargaining unit position. Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid. Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval. Qualifications Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the specialized experience requirements below. Specialized Experience: GS-13: Applicant must demonstrate one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-12 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties: Providing contributions to policy papers or strategies focused on Central America, South America, or the Caribbean through research and stakeholder outreach; Evaluating the effectiveness of national security policies or plans; and Identifying opportunities and actions with the U.S. Government and foreign partners to solve complex homeland security challenges related to migration management and immigration policies. GS-14: Applicant must demonstrate one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-13 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties: Conducting independent research and producing finished papers for senior leaders addressing policy issues focused on Central America, South America, or the Caribbean; Identifying, working with, and leading negotiations with stakeholders across the U.S. government to advance organizational priorities and national security missions; Effectively communicating and liaising with foreign embassies and foreign government personnel; Presenting analysis of facts to make recommendations and influence decision making. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Only the first five pages of your resume will be used to make an eligibility/qualifications determination. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification. NOTE: 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 Conditions of Employment: The employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays and/or overtime. Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft. Education Additional Information Note: DHS continues to take necessary steps to keep our workforce safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic. If you receive a final job offer to onboard, please complete the onboarding forms and submit them electronically in an expeditious manner. Your start date may be delayed if the action above is not completed. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance as a condition of placement in this Special-Sensitive position. This review includes 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. Pursuant to Executive Order 12654 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. Veterans' Preference: For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/. 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. Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP): This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition. If you are unable to apply online contact [email protected].