Summary Incumbent facilitates/manages complex background investigation policy/procedure development; conduct studies/research/analysis of national suitability, security and investigative policies impacting background investigation programs; develops operational policies/procedures/work processes for background investigations; designs program improvements/enhancements; researches new sources of investigative information; performs extensive inter/intra-agency formal/informal coordination and engagement. Responsibilities As a PROGRAM SPECIALIST you will be responsible for the following duties: -Advises in the development of changes that cover various areas of the background investigation program as necessitated by changes in national security and suitability requirements. This includes input to regulations, legislation, executive orders, Executive Agent issuances, internal directives, manuals and other instructions. -Performs or leads research and analysis necessary to prepare responses to requests and inquiries for information regarding the investigation program. These requests may originate from other government agencies, Director, Deputy Director, or Assistant Director, and Congressional offices. -Serves as a leader on policy-development and other projects that are of broad scope or involve significant complexities related to background investigations requiring a task force or study group approach. -Identifying program improvements and enhancements that add value to the background investigation to create effective and efficient investigative products. -Performing extensive inter and intra-agency formal and informal coordination of emerging background investigation policies and procedures. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See for professional positions or positions with a basic education requirement: http://main.opm.gov/policy-dataoversight/ classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/foreign-affairs series- 0130/; i.e. for positions with no IOR: http://main.opm.gov/policy-dataoversight/ classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0300/management and -program-analysis-series-0343/) for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 01/27/2025 Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade GS/GG-13 in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility. Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience. Specialized experience for this position includes: 1. Facilitating and managing complex background investigation policy and procedural development projects. 2. Conducting or leading studies, research, or analysis of national suitability, security and investigative policies impacting background investigation programs. 3. Developing operational policies, procedures, and work processes for Federal background investigation policies. 4. Designing program improvements and enhancements, and researching new sources of investigative information to create efficiencies or enhance security or suitability determinations. 5. Performing extensive inter and intra-agency formal and informal coordination of emerging background investigation policies and procedures. Specifically you will be evaluated on the following competencies: 1. Problem Solving 2. Legislation, Policy and Procedure Research 3. Oral Communication 4. Teamwork 5. Policy Coordination 6. Creativity and Innovation Education Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level. Additional Information VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria. Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period. If selected, Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for a DCIPS excepted service positions. If selected, non-DCIPS candidates must acknowledge in writing that the position they have been selected for is in the excepted service and covered by DCIPS. Selection under this appointment authority does not confer civil service competitive status. All current and former Federal employees must submit a copy of your latest SF50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc. Resumes should NOT include: Classified information/SSN/Photo of yourself/personal information (gender, religion, affiliation etc/Encrypted digitally signed docs). Resumes with this prohibited information will be automatically ineligible for consideration.