Security Officer

at  US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
Selective Placement Factor: This position requires you to currently be able to communicate proficiently in Spanish. (See conditions of employment for further information.)

FOR THE FP-02 LEVEL (GS-14 equivalent): Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the FP-03 OR GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Experience serving as a technical expert on overseas security matters when developing security related policies, standard operating procedures, security and safety plans, and preparing reports on the effectiveness of security and safety strategies.
• Experience applying security concepts, principles, and practices to develop and manage all aspects of an overseas security program including safety training and drills, managing health and safety equipment, and managing the program budget.
• Experience reviewing, identifying, and analyzing security risks for an organization and developing innovative solutions, new methods, and procedures to mitigate the risks and challenges presented in an overseas working environment.
• Experience supervising or leading others in a security setting to plan, organize, and manage resources in accordance with an organization’s regulations and policies.
• Experience communicating technical security information, both verbally and in writing, when building and maintaining contact with representatives from outside your organization and when presenting the organization’s policies to the private sector, inter-agency, foreign governments, and industry groups.
• Experience in developing, coordinating, and maintaining working relationships with foreign counterparts such as law enforcement agencies and U.S. Embassy Diplomatic Security in the embassy and consulates.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.
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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

EDUCATION

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

DUTIES

• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Develops and manages all aspects of a security program for APHIS employees and those working in support of the programs in Mexico.
• Leads in the development of security program policies, standard operating procedures, security/safety plans, and management of health and safety equipment.
• Ensures compliance with Chief of Mission security directives and policies and keeps the Regional Security Office fully informed of all activities.
• Serves as the APHIS technical authority and point of contact for security incidents in country.
• Manages the security program budget, identifies emergency equipment needs, clears travel routes, and informs the Regional Security Office of APHIS programmatic needs.
• Coordinates security mitigation efforts, standardizes protocols, and establishes evacuation plans for facilities.
• Provides oversight, supervision and leadership of the APHIS Foreign Service National Investigators (FSNIs).
• Attends embassy security briefings and stays abreast of all security matters affecting APHIS Mexico operations.
• Identifies risks to APHIS Mexico staff due to natural disaster, civil unrest, crime, etc. and develops policies and procedures for APHIS response.

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

• Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications; and 5) supervisors name and phone number for each work period listed and whether or not they may be contacted for reference checks.
• If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program. For further information, visit the following: Foreign Education Evaluation. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
• If claiming veterans’ preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions within 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. The certification must be on the letterhead of the appropriate military branch and include the dates of military service. Veterans’ preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran’s preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
• If claiming 10-point veterans’ preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans’ Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans’ preference visit FEDSHIREVETS
• How to Appl

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

• Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications; and 5) supervisors name and phone number for each work period listed and whether or not they may be contacted for reference checks.
• If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program. For further information, visit the following: Foreign Education Evaluation. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
• If claiming veterans’ preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions within 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. The certification must be on the letterhead of the appropriate military branch and include the dates of military service. Veterans’ preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran’s preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
• If claiming 10-point veterans’ preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans’ Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans’ preference visit FEDSHIREVET