Deputy Executive Director
Department of State - Agency Wide
Posted: March 31, 2026 (2 days ago)
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Transportation Security Administration
Department of Homeland Security
Location
Springfield, Virginia
Salary
$151,661 - $228,000
per year
Type
Closes
Base salary range: $123,041 - $159,950
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-14. Senior leader or top expert.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This role leads the Air Cargo Division at the TSA, working with government and industry partners to create and enforce security measures that protect air cargo shipments both domestically and internationally, using a risk-focused approach.
It involves building key relationships, shaping policies, and ensuring efficient operations to safeguard supply chains.
Ideal candidates are experienced senior leaders passionate about public service, efficiency in government, and upholding constitutional principles.
Air Cargo Division (ACD) collaborates with DHS, TSA, government partners, and industry stakeholders to promote, develop, implement and foster effective domestic and global security measures to safeguard air cargo supply chains using a risk-based methodology.
The ACD operates under Policy, Plans and Engagement (PPE) and serves as the primary engagement team with senior level transportation operators, stakeholder associations, and federal agencies to build and maintain strategic partnerships.
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.
As a basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications listed below.
Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the equivalent of the GS-15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state and local government, the private sector, or non-governmental organizations.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs) related to this position within your resume.
Your resume MAY NOT EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will be deemed ineligible and will not receive further consideration.
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).
The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-BASED. Therefore, evidence of each ECQ and TQ must be CLEARLY REFLECTED in your resume.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the following technical qualifications. 1.
Knowledge of air cargo security standards, procedures and regulations sufficient to manage a program of national and international scope. 2.
Experience developing and/or implementing policies or programs with national or industry-wide implications or with other largescale applications.
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES)/Transportation Security Executive Service (TSES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs.
If your 2-page resume does not reflect the the ECQs and TQs, you will not receive further consideration for the position.
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.
NOTE: If you are a member of the SES/TSES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES/TSES 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/TSES.
FAILURE TO MEET OR FULLY ADDRESS EACH EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATION AND TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS IN THE RESUME WILL ELIMINATE A CANDIDATE FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION. Major Duties:
The Executive Director, Air Cargo Division, Policy, Plans, and Engagement (PPE) is an executive-level management official in TSA primarily responsible for actively engaging air cargo transportation sector partners to implement policies and programs to reduce the terrorism risks associated with air cargo operations for domestic and international air carriers operating under US jurisdiction and to raise the global baseline for air cargo security.
The responsibilities of the position include the formulation of air cargo-related security policy and program oversight to ensure the effectiveness of air cargo stakeholders in comprehensively addressing air cargo security issues, processes, and programs.
These responsibilities have agency-wide impact and influence, with national and international impact and scope.
Responsibilities include providing innovative and expert leadership in the establishment and implementation of comprehensive air cargo security and communication strategies through collaboration with stakeholder partners and in accordance with applicable laws, policies, directives, and procedures.
High level duties include: Facilitates and maintains a network of air cargo partners for purposes of ensuring that there is current and consistent information regarding TSA policies and activities and their impact on domestic and international air cargo transportation stakeholders.
Ensures that regular, recurring, and current air cargo-related security information is shared within the air cargo transportation network, including, but not limited to industry stakeholders and organizations within TSA, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other government agencies.
This information network is critical to effectively addressing both day-to-day activities and responding to crises.
As appropriate, the incumbent will be responsible for pursuing industry partner buy-in and establishing mutual accountability.
Serves as the principal interface with the air cargo industry and government partners for air cargo security.
Provides expert security guidance to industry and government stakeholders on air cargo security policy issues.
Works closely with air cargo partners to coordinate national and international policy development. Provides expert-level transportation security information at industry-sponsored conferences/meetings.
Serves as the air cargo security policy expert for TSA.
Understands and appropriately interprets transportation security regulations, and develops air cargo policies and regulations and facilitates their implementation; maintains awareness and/or knowledge of the most current, impacting and proposed/enacted legislation in the area of air cargo security.
Testifies and briefs Congressional staff and members of Congress on air cargo security policies.
Serves as the principal advisor to the Assistant Administrator of PPE on matters related to the air cargo industry.
Keeps Assistant Administrator apprised of overall operations, current status, and anticipated challenges.
Oversees the coordination, development, interpretation, and dissemination of domestic and international air cargo transportation security policies including, but not limited to security programs, security directives, emergency amendments, guidelines, agreements, and regulations incorporating industry input, as appropriate.
Monitors and reviews all outstanding security policies affecting the industry for relevance.
Continually assesses the effectiveness of policy, programs, and operations and adjusts, as needed, to meet emerging priorities.
Ensures a risk-based methodology is used to establish and develop security regulations, policies and directives to reduce measurable risk in the air cargo industry.
Implements policies and programs to strengthen air cargo security capabilities to include expanding and fully executing TSA cargo screening and vetting authorities and coordinating across other DHS agencies with air cargo equities.
Drives continuous, measurable air cargo risk reduction. Establishes organizational performance metrics in accordance with TSA's mission, vision, goals, and strategic objectives.
Utilizes metrics to assess security improvement over time for the industry.
Collaborates with all organizational elements within TSA that have air cargo security equities, which are interconnected and interdependent, to ensure consistency and coordination of policies and programs needed to accomplish TSA's air cargo mission.
This involves understanding the roles and responsibilities of each of TSA's organizational components and sharing key information between and among these components and air cargo industry operators to assure robust communication throughout the sector.
Oversees the day-to-day operations of areas within his/her responsibility, assuring conformance with TSA's strategic plan.
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