Technical Security Investigator

Full Job Description

Joining the United States Secret Service (USSS), Office of Technical Operations (TEC), within the Aviation and Airspace Security Division (ASD), Operational Communications and Integration Division (OCI), or Technical Security Division (TSD) allows you to provide specialized technical expertise and operational support, to develop and implement countermeasures against threats to protected individuals and facilities, and contribute to criminal investigations conducted by the USSS.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your 1-year probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level or equivalent, performing the duties listed below, for the specialized program: Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems: Support technical investigations to counter UAS threats using surveillance systems, countermeasures, and legal expertise.

Assist protective teams by integrating security measures, coordinating with agencies, and enhancing aerial intrusion prevention.

Help manage security programs against drone threats through expertise in device mitigation, TSCM, and RF monitoring.

Electronics: Utilizing tools to troubleshoot and perform systematic problem solving of electronic devices and systems.

Testing, maintaining, installing, and evaluating electrical components and systems; and, Troubleshooting, maintaining, and ensuring security of computers and computer network systems.

Enabling Unmanned Aerial Systems: Develop, coordinate, and execute enabling UAS missions in compliance with federal regulations, agency policies, and mission objectives.

Provide advanced technical guidance on enabling UAS systems, including maintenance, troubleshooting, and integration with other technologies.

Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure proper training, risk management, and resource allocation for enabling UAS operations.

Communications: Install, test, maintain, and troubleshoot Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and Radio over IP (RoIP) devices and systems, independently resolving routine issues and escalating complex problems as needed.

Install, test, maintain, and troubleshoot Radio over IP (RoIP), independently resolving routine issues and escalating complex problems as needed.

Assist in radio spectrum analysis and deconfliction activities, supporting compliance with FCC and NTIA requirements under guidance from senior specialists.

Command & Control Support the application of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in planning processes; assist in preparing briefings and instructional materials on NIMS.

Provide technical support for preparedness and response activities related to natural and man-made disasters; contribute to the development of plans for continuity of essential functions.

Install, test, maintain, and troubleshoot situational awareness systems and their connectivity, supporting integration efforts and resolving standard connectivity issues.

Chemical Biological Countermeasures Responding to, mitigating, or investigating known or suspected releases of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) materials, including conducting hazard site surveys, characterization, and sample recovery operations with minimal supervision.

Utilizing, repairing, and troubleshooting specialized hazmat and CBRN detection equipment, and recommending improvements to operational procedures.

Coordinating and participating in the planning and execution of prevention activities for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) or Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) incidents.

Technical Surveillance Countermeasures Conducting technical surveillance countermeasures inspections, including radio frequency signal adjudication, electrical and physical component detection, and physical inspections, and assisting in identifying and neutralizing technical penetrations and vulnerabilities.

Performing technical surveillance countermeasures functions utilizing a wide variety of technical surveillance countermeasures equipment and instrumentation and recommending enhancements to procedures.

Applying and interpreting policies and procedures for the use of technical surveillance countermeasures equipment and assisting in the development of new procedures.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Responding to incident scenes where explosive threats are suspected or determined and providing technical expertise in the identification and mitigation of such threats.

Interpreting x-rays of potential explosive devices, and/or other unknown and suspicious devices, and advising others on findings.

Identifying and differentiating between commercial, military, and home-made explosives, and providing guidance to less experienced personnel.

Fire, Life-Safety, Hazmat Conducting responses to incidents involving structure fires; hazardous materials (HAZMAT) releases; and/or technical rescue operations and providing technical support during these incidents.

Inspecting or investigating various facilities (e.g., warehouses, shops, hospitals, offices, living quarters, etc.) for violations of fire regulations, and for conditions contributing to serious fire hazards, and preparing reports of findings.

Developing and implementing fire/life safety surveys for pre-incident analysis and incident response and recommending corrective actions.

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.

Time-in-Grade Requirement: 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).

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 and eligibility requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Current of 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.

Major Duties:

The selectee will serve as a Technical Security Investigator, in the Office of Technical Operations, specializing in one of the following areas: Chemical Biological Countermeasures; Communications; or Command & Control, Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems; Electronics, Enabling Unmanned Aerial Systems; Explosive Ordnance Disposal; Fire, Life-Safety, Hazmat or Technical Surveillance Countermeasures.

The Aviation and Airspace Security Division (ASD) develops, coordinates, and implement airspace security plans for sites visited by the President and Vice President of the United States or other designated USSS protectees.

Please note, ASD is only selecting candidates for positions located in Landover, MD.

The Technical Security Division (TSD) provides specialized technical expertise and operational support, develops and implements countermeasures to address threats against protected persons and facilities, and supports criminal investigations conducted by the Secret Service.

Please note, TSD is only selecting candidates for positions located in for the Washington, DC.

The Operational Communications and Integration Division (OCI) provides secure, integrated communications for Secret Service, protectees and ensures reliable, interoperable systems with federal, state, and local partners to support protective and investigative missions.

Please note, OCI is selecting candidates for positions located in Washington, DC, Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia offices.

Typical work assignments include: Installing, monitoring, and evaluating the latest known technologies (such as state-of-the-art intrusion detection systems and devices) that may potentially be used by hostile entities, both domestic and abroad, either independently or as groups, to penetrate Agency sites or otherwise harm protectees.

Conducting routine security searches to identify, detect, deter, and stop potential or actual threats involving hazardous materials, items, devices, persons, or unsafe environmental conditions.

Assisting with implementing protective countermeasures and supporting law enforcement responsive planning duties.

Contributing to the development and organization of investigative tactics and techniques to support investigations of suspected criminal violations.

Apply for this exciting opportunity to impact the United States Secret Service's security initiatives in support of our protective and investigative missions.

This Technical Security Investigator position starts at a base salary of $76,463 (GS-12, step-1), with a promotion potential $118,204 (GS-13, Step-10).