Senior Policy Advisor

Job Details

Position Overview

Duties

• Serving as the principal staff and expert advisor to the AD and DAD on the most major issues involving the agency, with particular emphasis on those projects and issues relating to major training, budgetary, congressional, and Departmental initiatives.
• Maintaining continuing contact with senior management officials to assess and gauge changes and their potential impact on operating policies that may affect FLETC.
• Directing the analysis of changes, developments, and initiatives and generating formal recommendations and proposals for the AD's and DAD's consideration and final decision.
• Developing and providing the AD and DAD with new and unique perspectives, analyses, best approaches, and other authoritative advice to implement and achieve cooperative activities, resolving philosophical and operating differences, and coordinating high level and sensitive joint policy issues affecting FLETC.
• Overseeing projects involving the most effective allocation and commitment of resources.
• Working with other Senior Policy Advisors and program managers across Directorate lines to develop recommendations for the AD and DAD regarding effective allocation of Directorate resources.
• Serving as the AD's liaison in many areas, often involving controversial, complex, and unprecedented issues and other matters that impact FLETC-wide, agency, and Departmental operations.
• Facilitating strategic and operational plan development and implementation, thereby having FLETC-wide, Department-wide, and government-wide impact.
• Making assignments to subordinate offices based on general guidance and operational knowledge of FLETC, consulting with the AD and DAD only where issues of prioritization and conflict need to be resolved.
• Preparing and summarizing special reports for the AD relating to programs, positions, and projects.

Qualifications & Requirements

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the federal service. Specialized experience includes the following: 1) Reviewing, interpreting and providing commentary on policies and programs; 2) Reviewing, analyzing and evaluating reports, written correspondence, and program proposals; and 3) Formulating, executing and maintaining budget allocations.

-OR-

You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess the following:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the federal service. Specialized experience includes the following: 1) Analyzing and developing policies and programs; 2) Representing the organization on internal and external initiatives; and 3) Facilitating effective stewardship of resources.

All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Note: Current DHS Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows a permanent appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1" or "2"), tenure group (block 24 should show a "1" or "2"), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE.

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.

Education

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• This is a non-bargaining unit position.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state issued driver's license to conduct official government business.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be serving in a position in Schedule Policy/Career of the Excepted service. You will obtain competitive status after two years of service in this position.
• Your employment in this position will be at-will.
• Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) appeals of adverse actions concerning performance, discipline, and other matters arising under chapters 23, 43, and 75 of title 5, USC will not be available to an individual serving in this position.
• The DHS Office of General Counsel will enforce prohibitions on prohibited personnel practices and not the Office of Special Counsel.
• This position is eligible for situational-only telework based on agency policy.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Overtime may be required.
• Working weekends and federal holidays may be required.
• Position is Emergency Essential required to sustain FLETC’s operations under all conditions, in the event of a localized emergency situation, such as inclement weather, interruptions to power, or dismissal or closure of DHS operations or services.
• Ensures FLETC Continuity of Operations for Mission Essential Functions or Primary Mission Essential Functions in the event of an emergent disruption of operations locally or DHS-wide (such as Devolution and/or reconstitution).
• Required to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, within 30 days of starting your federal employment and annually thereafter as long as you occupy a position that requires financial disclosure reporting.

Evaluations

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If met, we will use multiple assessments to determine the degree to which your experience, education, and training demonstrate the following competencies needed to perform this job: Communication, Leadership, Planning and Evaluating, Problem Solving and Professionalism.

To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process, including the application, 1st hurdle which consist of a subject matter expert (SME) structured resume review and 2nd hurdle will be an SME structured interview.

Resume review: SMEs will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position. SMEs will review ONLY two (2) pages of your resume, starting at your work experience. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., links embedded in your resume will not be opened). Applicants passing the resume review will move on to the next phase of the assessment process.

Structured Interview: Applicants who successfully pass the SME resume review may be invited to participate in a structured interview. The structured interview will be used to further assess an applicant's job-related competencies based on the requirements of the position.

Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13002842

Required Documents

1. Your resume (click the link for information on what to include). If you are a current or former Federal employee, your resume must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position held. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
2. Your responses to the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13002842
3. Are you a current permanent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employee? Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 showing your current grade and tenure; An SF-50 showing highest (permanent) grade ever held, if different from your current grade. Please note: Performance award, Details, and Realignments are not acceptable SF-50s. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide an SF-50 or SF-50s which show the length of time in the current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated one year apart within the same grade/job) to support meeting time-in-grade requirements.
4. If you are currently serving in a Schedule P/C position and previously held a competitive service appointment, you must submit a copy of your SF-50 that reflects your prior competitive service appointment/status.
5. You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.

How to Apply