Chief Security Officer

Full Job Description

The Chief Security Officer (CSO) position is located in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), DHS Headquarters, Management Directorate, Office of the Chief Security Officer (OCSO).

OCSO exercises the DHS-wide security authorities in the areas of personnel security, physical security, administrative security, special security, internal security investigations, identity management and security training and awareness Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES.

Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified.

Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s).

If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

A sample 2-pages resume that incorporates ECQs and TQs can be viewed on this link (indexed at page 16 - 17) Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ 1.

Demonstrated extensive experience overseeing both the physical and technical information security functions of the agency or office, including but not limited to security operations, review of new or proposed facilities, classified systems security management, application security, identity management, access control, and biometrics.

TQ 2.

Demonstrated extensive experience in developing, evaluating, advising on, and implementing new organization-wide plans, policies, standards, and procedures aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of enterprise-level security programs, including physical, personnel, industrial, information, special access, and insider threat security, along with supporting training and compliance initiatives.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs.

If your 2-page resume does not reflect deninstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture.

This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Detailed information on each ECQs, the underlying and fundamental competencies, and informaton regarding the Structured Interview QRB (SIQRB) Process are available in the "Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board." Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs.

Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

Current or Former Political Appointees: OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch.

If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the DHS Headquarters Executive Services team.

Major Duties:

The CSO is the senior-most security official and a key member of the Department's executive management team.

The incumbent establishes, implements, and manages all security policies and programs within DHS as they relate to DHS personnel, property, facilities, and information.

Specific responsibilities include: Manages and directs criminal investigators involved in sensitive criminal investigations of individuals who are suspected to have committed offenses against the United States related to classified information, protection of DHS personnel and facilities.

These investigations are conducted in conjunction with other components, such as the Office of the Inspector General, the United States Secret Service, and/or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Provides oversight of Department security programs to ensure compliance with Executive Orders and applicable laws.

The incumbent is the Department's Senior Agency Official for the handling of classified information.

The CSO directs and oversees the following activities: Personnel Security: All aspects of personnel security, including background investigations, clearance adjudication, granting and denial of clearances, security clearance appeals, representation on Federal security working groups and maintenance of a Department-wide clearance database.

Oversee large-scale personnel security operations.

Physical Security: All aspects of physical security, including physical measures designed to safeguard personnel; prevent, delay, and identify unauthorized access to facilities, equipment, material and information; and safeguard against espionage, sabotage, damage, and theft.

Oversees physical security activities, including policy and standards development and implementation as well as inspection and oversight.

Administrative Security: All aspects of administrative security, including protection of classified national security by the application of the rules and procedures established by Executive Order 12958.

Oversight of DHS activities related to the National Industrial security program (NISPOM) and governed by Executive Order 128 l 9.

Oversees the information security program for state and local as well as private security organizations.

Oversees information security programs and industrial security programs, including policy development and implementation.

Counterintelligence (CI) and Operations Security (OPSEC): All aspects of counterintelligence and operations security including, responsibility for establishing, implementing and maintaining a process to deny potential unauthorized persons information about capabilities, and/or intentions, by identifying, controlling, and protecting generally unclassified evidence of the planning and execution of sensitive activities.

The CI program includes activities that identify, counteract, neutralize, and prevent activities that are conducted by personnel who are acting on behalf of a foreign intelligence service, terrorist organization, or hostile entity.

Investigations and Inspections: All aspects of investigations and inspections including criminal investigations involving crimes against DHS and its employees, Internal investigations concerning allegations of illegal and/or improper activities on the part of DHS employees.

Security audits and inspections of DHS entities to ensure compliance with security policies and procedures. Oversees inspection, internal, and criminal investigations.

Develops a Department incident response plan, incident response team, and investigation methodology.

Interacts and coordinates with law enforcement and computer crime investigators in the event of a computer security incident or computer-based fraud.

Special Security Programs: Management of the security aspects of the classified communication systems for the Department, and oversight of the activities of the Special Security Officer within each directorate.

Oversight of DHS Special Access Programs and the DHS Special Access Programs Council. Security Education.

Training and Awareness: Implementation and oversight of security education, training, and awareness programs for all DHS HQ staff, and ensuring that appropriate security training standards are established and implemented by all DHS entities.

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with counterparts in the security, law enforcement, and intelligence communities.

Directs the development and enforcement of security policies in compliance with Federal and global regulations and standards.

Coordinates security measures at DHS HQ facilities necessary for visiting dignitaries, foreign heads of state, and other personnel requiring heightened security measures.