Summary This position is within the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence & Analysis, Intelligence Training Academy, National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Program Office.
The incumbent will serve as an Intelligence Operations Specialist and subject matter expert on behavioral threat assessment and management. This role is pivotal in developing key partnerships, driving curriculum integration, and translating social science research into actionable threat mitigation strategies.
Duties
As a Intelligence Operations Specialist, GS-0132-13, your typical work assignments may include:
- Design, develop and deliver high-quality intelligence instruction.
- Responsible for management and administrative responsibilities for designing, developing, maintaining and delivering assigned courses.
- Preparation for training courses, to include identifying and preparing materials; monitoring instructional delivery to ensure curriculum is consistent, engaging and operationally relevant; continuously improving curriculum in accordance with established policies.
- Provide advice and guidance on intelligence training related projects and programs.
- Define requirements and develop effective training solutions to achieve program goals and objectives
- Leverage operational intelligence experience and knowledge to assist the Department in the design, development, and delivery of dynamic entry, intermediate, advanced, and specialized intelligence training courses addressing the full spectrum of threats to the homeland.
- Develop and implement a process for gathering data to conduct training needs analysis and incorporating input from internal and external subject matter experts and stakeholders on intelligence training methods, standards, topics and required skill sets for graduates.
- Support coordination efforts with counterparts and colleagues throughout the intelligence and law enforcement communities.
- Frequently represent the organization on working groups and committees.
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.
View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.
Qualifications
Specialized Experience
To qualify for the GS-13, you must possess the specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in federal service (GS-12) or public or private sector equivalent. For this position, specialized experience is defined as:
- Subject matter expertise in homeland security intelligence and delivering intelligence training.
- Designing, developing and delivering classroom, distance learning, and mobile training programs.
- Developing and implementing best practices in a training and curriculum development and management of educational programs and complying with accreditation requirements.
- Applying quantitative and qualitative methods for the assessment and improvement of classroom and learning training programs and curriculum resources (e.g., needs analysis design/development, delivery, evaluation).
- Planning, organizing, and implementing programs, plans, and proposals involving substantial agency resources or that require extensive changes in established procedures.
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.
Quality Ranking Factor
This position has the following Quality Ranking Factor (QRF):
This position requires someone with a social science, psychology, and/or practitioner background in the following areas:
Behavioral Threat Assessment Integration
- Drive Integration: Lead the integration of behavioral science best practices into NTER initiatives and the Master Trainer Program curriculum.
- Research & Analysis: Apply behavioral and social science research principles, concepts, and methods to execute targeted research tasks (e.g., data collection, literature reviews, and scientific literature synthesis).
- Network Support: Provide day-to-day assistance to the Master Trainer Program, developing innovative tools, resources, and job aids for the Master Trainer Network.
- Educational Outreach: Coordinate and facilitate exclusive virtual case briefings, webinars, and training sessions focused on threat assessment and targeted violence prevention.
- Curriculum Modernization: Consult on and assist with curriculum updates, incorporating feedback from Master Trainers and cutting-edge BTAM research.
- Impact Reporting: Help articulate and communicate program impact by drafting comprehensive reports, presentations, and materials demonstrating programmatic outcomes to leadership.
Stakeholder Engagement & Strategic Partnerships
- Represent NTER: Serve as a representative for the NTER Program Office with key stakeholders across I&A, the DHS Intelligence Enterprise, the Intelligence Community, and the Homeland Security Enterprise.
- Partnership Development: Proactively build and maintain new strategic partnerships with academic, public, and private stakeholders outside of DHS to advance threat identification and mitigation methods.
- Interagency Coordination: Participate in specialized working groups, coordinate with I&A analytic centers, and align threat assessment and violence prevention programs within DHS and the broader Intelligence Community.
- Technical Assistance: Provide direct technical support and advisory services on threat assessment methodologies to F/SLTT stakeholders.
- Briefings & Presentations: Design and deliver high-impact presentations and briefings at professional conferences, meetings, and stakeholder engagements.
NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement.
All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
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.
This position is designated as Emergency Essential. Emergency Essential personnel must be able to serve during a continuity of operation event without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, and acts of terrorism or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations (5 U.S.C. 7501-7533 and 5 CFR Part 752, as applicable).
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.Education Not Applicable How you will be evaluated You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail, Creative Thinking, Customer Service, Decision Making, Flexibility, Influencing/Negotiating, Information Management, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Oral Communication, Reasoning, Self-Management, Strategic Thinking, Stress Tolerance, Teaching Others, and Teamwork
To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies.
You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.
If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:
Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF) and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.
Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
If you are amongst the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the job questionnaire and application, clickhttps://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13053061
Interviews are required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
Consideration may be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards as an indicator of quality of prior experience. How to apply Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
- Click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
- Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
- If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
- Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
- Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
- Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
- Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
For more general information, system requirements, reasonable accommodation information, and to request assistance regarding the USA Hire Assessments, review the following resources: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_Assessments.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account (https://usajobs.gov), find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
To preview the questionnaire please click the link below: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13053061.
It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Applicants must submit all required documentation to properly qualify for this position. Other information Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here:
https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire
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.
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/Sensitive Compartmented Information 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.
Veterans Preference: Veterans preference does not apply under Title 50 appointment authority.