Security Specialist (Port)
Who may apply
Limited to the following applicant groups:
- Federal employees - Competitive service
- Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
- Land and base management
- Special authorities
- Veterans
- Individuals with disabilities
- Military spouses
- Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
- Family of overseas employees
About 1 week left
Salary context
Based on 87 annual-salary jobs in the same occupational series. This role pays above most similar positions.
Job Details
Position Overview
This vacancy is for a GS-0080-13 Security Specialist (Port) located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Coast Guard (USCG), Northeast District in Boston, Massachusetts.Duties
You will serve as a Security Specialist (Port) and be responsible for coordinating emergency response and port security planning efforts by providing policy guidance and technical expertise.
Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team. Typical work assignments include:
- Developing Maritime Security Plans and criteria for associated exercises in accordance with in accordance with the Maritime Transportation Security Act.
- Serving as a technical expert for the enforcement of Federal statutes and Coast Guard policy on maritime security, and the safeguarding of personnel and property within the U.S. maritime domain to ensure the preservation of a safe, secure, and peaceful maritime environment.
- Serving as a Maritime Security SME, exercising independence and political judgment in developing and maintaining relationships with various stakeholders in the government (federal, state, and local) and private industry.
- Reviewing and developing new or proposed security, procedures, and guidelines. for response to all-hazard contingencies.
Qualifications & Requirements
To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.
- Assisting in developing, analyzing, and investigating a variety of Maritime Security and Marine Transportation System Recovery problems to establish policy and procedures for an organization and its subordinate elements.
- Assessing, documenting, and reporting of risk, port and waterway navigation system components, cargo flow and priorities, maritime security capability and availability, security and functional implications to
maritime commerce and incident planning, and management needs. - Investigating a variety of security problems and developing and formulating recommendations for alternative policies, procedures, and processes.
NOTE: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.
Education
This position does not have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail.Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected & prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. (see FOREIGN EDUCATION below).
College Transcript: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Transcripts should be legible and detailed, showing course number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. To receive this credit, you must submit evidence of equivalency as provided by a credentialling evaluation service. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
Requirements
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume:
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Date of Birth (DOB)
- Photos of yourself (if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position)
- Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov
- A one-year probationary period may be required.
- To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation. This position requires a Secret clearance.
- This is not a Bargaining Unit position.
- Selectee must be able to obtain/maintain a valid state driver's license.
- Time-in-Grade requirement must be met by the closing date of the vacancy.
- All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.
- Occasional travel may be required.
Evaluations
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training, along with any applicable assessments, will be rated. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview. The necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to perform this job are:
- Knowledge of a wide range of principles, concepts, methodology, and practices in maritime transportation security and Maritime Transportation System recovery, as well as general knowledge of security administration programs.
- Knowledge of maritime transportation security policy requirements to function as a technical authority in assignments requiring the application of new theories and developments to security problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted security methods, technology, or procedures.
- Skill in the application of new theories and developments to agency security and recovery problems.
- Ability to perform key decision-making and policy-developing responsibilities in very difficult assignments such as planning for significantly new or far reaching security program requirements, or leading or participating as a technical expert in
interagency study groups for resolving problems in existing security systems and programs requiring innovative solutions. - Ability to communicate strongly in both speaking and writing.
To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13026668
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation. CTAP and ICTAP Eligibles: CTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position. If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. Individuals must be well-qualified by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website.
Required Documents
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. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable.
Resume showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education, and training. Include start and end dates (mm/yy to mm/yy) and number of hours per week worked/volunteered. For additional information on your resume, see How to Apply.
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):
- You must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50(s) that verify your eligibility for consideration as a current or former federal applicant; and
- Your SF-50 must verify your highest competitive grade, time-in-grade, your current promotion potential or full performance level & proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement. DO NOT submit an award SF-50 or pay adjustment SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility.
- For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing. Recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50.
Veterans' preference documentation (Member Copy 4 of DD-214, Revised October 2013 SF-15 and VA letter, if applicable. NOTE: The revised October 2013 SF-15 is the latest copy & all others are not usable. Please see Feds Hire Vets for detail.
- Veterans claiming 5 point veterans' preference must submit legible Member 4 Copy DD214(s) indicating Character of Service.
- 30% Disabled Veterans must submit their Member Copy 4 DD-214(s), which includes Character of Service, and VA Disability Letter with percentage of disability OR documentation of disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.
- Other 10 point Preference Eligibles must submit applicable Member Copy 4 DD-214(s), which includes Character of Service, & provide documentation of 10 point preference described on the back of the SF-15.
- If you are a current active duty military member who does not have a DD214 & is claiming eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces indicating you will be discharged/released under honorable conditions from active duty within 120 days from the date you submit your certification as part of your application for this announcement. See the "How to Apply" section of this announcement for information on specific requirements for VOW certifications.
Schedule A documentation, if applicable. Note: Coast Guard welcomes & encourages applications from persons with disabilities. Qualified applicants with disabilities may be eligible for special hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A eligibility.
Military Spouses (if applicable) - You MUST submit verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage) AND: (1) a copy of your spouse's active military orders; OR (2) verification of your spouse's 100% service-connected disability (VA Letter and/or DD-214); OR (3) verification of the service member's death while on active duty (DD-1300/Death Certificate). You are not eligible if you were not married to the veteran at the time of death or have since remarried.
Interchange Agreement with Other Merit Systems Eligible: Documentation of eligibility as listed in each individual interchange agreement.
Other noncompetitive or special appointing authorities (e.g., Peace Corps, VISTA, Public Land Corp, Military Spouse, VRA, 30% Disabled Veterans, Certain Former Overseas Employees, Foreign Service, etc.) must provide substantiating documentation as required.
Political Appointees: OPM must authorize employment offers for former or current Political Appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information. Submit proof of your former or current status, such as your SF-50. Please see here.
CTAP & ICTAP applicants MUST submit documentation verifying your eligibility. This includes a copy of your agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, most recent SF-50-Notification of Personnel Action noting your current position, grade level and duty location, & documentation from your agency showing your current promotion potential. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.
Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.
How to Apply
Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Font size should not be smaller than 10pts & margins no smaller than .5 inches. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a resume, any applicable assessments, and any applicable and/or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. We encourage you to apply online.
Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM EST on 08/27/2026.
USA Hire Assessment - If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
Set aside about 2 hrs to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us.
It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, we will not be able to consider it as part of your application.To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If claiming eligibility under the VOW Act: The VOW Act requires Federal agencies to treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligibles, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD214. In order to be considered under the VOW Act, the certification must specify that the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package for this job announcement. The certification must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, character of service, military rank, type of discharge, and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by, or by direction of military members' military personnel offices, unit commanders or higher headquarters. Agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.
Any Offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
Recruitment incentives may be authorized.
Recruitment Incentive - Selectee(s) for this position who are newly appointed to a permanent position are authorized to receive a one-time recruitment incentive of up to 25% of the salary, including locality for this position. Receipt of the bonus will require a 12-month service agreement.
"Newly appointed" refers to the first appointment (regardless of tenure) as an employee of the Federal Government, an appointment following a break in service of at least 90 days from a previous appointment as an employee of the Federal Government, or, in certain cases, an appointment following a break in service of less than 90 days from a previous appointment as an employee of the Federal Government.
Relocation Incentive - Selectee(s) for this position who are current federal employees on permanent appointments and will be moving outside of the current commuting area of their current position to accept this position are authorized to receive a one-time relocation incentive of up to 25% of the salary including locality for this position. Receipt of the bonus will require a 12-month service agreement. The employee must establish a residence in the new geographic area prior to payment.