Summary This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Strategy, Policy and Plans, Screening and Vetting Office (SVO), Office of Counterterrorism, Threat Prevention and Law Enforcement. The SVO develops and coordinates departmental and U.S. Government policies and programs to prevent terrorists, criminals, and other national security threat actors from exploiting domestic and international transportation, immigration benefits, and other systems within DHS's mission. Responsibilities The primary purpose of this position is to contribute to the development of DHS policies and procedures and perform analyses of homeland policy issues involving policy development, strategic planning, requirements development, or other assigned program areas. As a Policy Analyst, GS-0301-14, your typical work assignments may include: Analyzing, developing, and reviewing a variety of technical and controversial reports submitted by component and other agency officials that Involve significant policy issues, law enforcement agendas, as well as the intelligence and trade communities. Developing and interpreting guidance on related Issues based on the situation or need, using judgment and discretion in determining intent, and interpreting and revising existing policy and regulatory guidance. Identifying and analyzing challenges and opportunities within immigration benefit and/or visa processing that effect U.S. national security, including but not limited to countering terrorism and transnational organized crime. Analyzing and evaluating major aspects of substantive, mission-oriented operations and translating that into policy recommendations. 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 100 applications have been received, whichever happens first. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-14 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service, or private sector equivalent. For this position, specialized experience is defined as having the ability to: Analyze and evaluate major aspects of substantive, mission-oriented operations and translate that into policy recommendations. Develop long-range program goals, plans, objectives, and policies. Identify and develop policies that resolve problems or cope with issues that directly affect the accomplishment of the program goals and objectives. Provide policy advice to top echelon agency managers and senior leadership on policy matters. Note: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level. Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement. Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE. 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 Not Applicable Additional Information 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. You may be required to serve a one-year supervisory probationary period. 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, Special Compartmented Information (SCI) as a condition of placement in this Special-Sensitive 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.