Passport Program Specialist

Full Job Description

Joining the Secret Service, Office of Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs, Liaison Division will allow you to coordinate the acquisition and maintenance of diplomatic, official passports and visas to support protective details and investigative assignments.

For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.

To be considered qualified for this position you must meet the following qualification requirements for the respective grade level in which you are applying.

Candidates selected for an interview will be required to submit a writing sample during the interview process.

You qualify for the GS-09 level (starting salary $70,623.00) if you possess one of the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level performing duties such as: Maintaining liaison with internal and external stakeholders to ensure cooperation and coordination of passport and visa requests.

Composing technical documents such as instructions or informative materials. Reviewing passport and visa applications to ensure completeness and verify the authenticity of citizenship evidence.

Maintaining organized records and/or assisting in the preparation of reports, including tracking suspense dates and overdue documents.

OR A master's or equivalent graduate degree, LL.B., or J.D in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position if the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18.

Add the two percentages.

You qualify for the GS-11 level (starting salary $85,447.00) if you possess one of the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level performing duties such as: Coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, such as agency employees, Department of State officials, and foreign embassy representatives, to facilitate the efficient processing of passport and visa requests.

Performing analytical tasks to provide guidance and/or recommend policy changes.

Preparing reports related to passport and visa transactions, including tracking overdue documents and updating personnel information. Processing passport and visa applications (i.e.

verifying required information, determining eligibility, and preparing documentation) for submission to the Department of State and foreign embassies. OR A Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree, LL.M n a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position if the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12.

Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying).

Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current competitive service employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50, "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility.

The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to comply.

The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this 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.

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.

Major Duties:

The selectee will serve as a Passport Program Specialist in the Office of Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs, Liaison Division.

Typical work assignments include: Analyzing and interpreting regulations, policies and procedures that impact the agency's Passport and Visa Program; and performing a wide range of operational, logistical, and administrative assignments of an unpredictable, intricate nature; approving and certifying official documentation; and examining applications and supporting documents for authenticity and acceptability as proof of citizenship, appropriate authorization, and entitlement.

Drafting official correspondence (official messages, Intranet text, instructions, informative materials, and other official documentation regarding implementation and compliance requirements; and presenting briefings to newly hired agent and uniformed personnel on U.S.

Department of State requirements for obtaining a diplomatic/official passport, as well as the laws and regulations regarding the use of passports.

Providing recommendations in developing or revising policies, procedures, and instructions in accordance with federal regulations.

Developing short and long-range plans, goals and objectives for the execution of the Passport Office objectives.

Apply for this exciting opportunity to provide direct support through the passport program to agency personnel to successfully complete protective and investigative mission requirements.

This Passport Program Specialist position starts at a salary of $70,623.00, GS-09 step 1, with promotion potential to $158,322.00, GS-13 step 10.