Summary This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Secretary (OS) The primary purpose of this position is to plan, analyze and evaluate the effectives of a substantive mission-oriented program. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position. Responsibilities As a Program Analyst, GS-0343-12/13, your typical work assignments may include: Plans and conducts special studies on selected or assigned program activities researches, studies, and analyzes a wide variety of organizational structures, operational interrelations, mission and functions in order to develop, coordinate, prepare and establish long range program or operational improvements aligned to strategic priorities. Recommends methods and procedures for improvement or correction. Develops new approaches or methods for application to major agency programs and operations. Identifies and assesses potential operational gaps. Provides findings and recommendations to senior leadership to support the organization in coordinating and synchronizing the Department's cross­-component prevent/protect actions in response to credible, actionable intelligence. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 100 applications have been received, whichever happens first. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Specialized Experience GS-12 To qualify for this position, you must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in Federal Service or private/public sector equivalent experience. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Providing operational expertise on some of the DHS mission areas. Awareness of organization's programs and activities; agency missions, policies, and objectives; and management principles and processes. Considering complex factors and identify alternatives in a dynamic environment constrained by priorities, policies, and time; and/or communicating information in a brief, clear, and organized manner. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level. Specialized Experience GS-13 To qualify for this position, you must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in Federal Service or private/public sector equivalent experience. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Providing operational expertise on a wide variety of DHS mission areas. Having skilled knowledge in the application of a range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of program effectiveness and the improvement of complex operations and the coordination processes. Being proficient at defining program goals and objectives, the sequence and timing of key program events and milestones and implementing effective improvements for complex program and management processes. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. 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. 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. This position may be filled at the GS-12 or GS-13 level. If selection is made at the GS-12 level, promotion to the GS-13 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 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.