Security Technical Specialist

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VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
United States Department of State

An Equal Opportunity Employer
How to Apply

Announcement STS-2012-0001
Opening Date: November 28, 2011
CLOSED: January 13, 2012
Series/Grade: FP - 0086 06 f
Promotion Potential: FP-04

Position Title: FOREIGN SERVICE SECURITY TECHNICAL SPECIALIST

Who May Apply

Potential applicants are urged to read this entire vacancy announcement to ensure they meet all the requirements for this position and they fully understand the special circumstances involving a career in the Foreign Service before applying.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 20 yrs old to apply and at least 21 yrs of age to be appointed. All candidates must be appointed to the Foreign Service prior to the month which they reach 60 yrs of age (pref. elig. veterans excepted).

Duration Appointment

Permanent

Starting Salary

FP-06 - $38,394 to $56,383 per annum (This figure does not include the Overseas Comparability adjustment for overseas assignments or locality pay for domestic assignments.)

Additional Benefits: Tax-Free Housing overseas; Tax-Free Education Allowance for eligible dependents, etc. (You may also find information about benefits for Foreign Service Specialists online at http://careers.state.gov/specialist/benefits.)

If you previously applied for this position under STS-2011-0002 which closed April 15, 2011, we have waived the one year requirement for reapplying and you are eligible to reapply under this announcement.

Number of Vacancies:

The Department of State is developing a rank-order list on the Register to fill a limited number of Foreign Service Security Technical Specialist (STS) vacancies. The specific number to be hired will depend on the needs of the Foreign Service.

Location:

Initial assignment will normally be to Washington, DC for two years to include initial orientation and training. Subsequent assignments will be to Foreign Service posts throughout the world where Security Technical Specialists are assigned, Department of State facilities in the Washington, DC area, or Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

General Description:

The U.S. Department of State is the lead foreign affairs agency formulating and implementing the President's foreign policies and representing the interests of the United States throughout the world. The Department carries out this mission at over 250 embassies and consulates around the world, offices in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area and other locations in the United States.

Foreign Service Security Technical Specialist (STSs) assist in worldwide technical security programs that provide protection for Department of State facilities and personnel from technical espionage, acts of terrorism and crime.

Key Requirements:

All applicants, in order to be considered for selection, must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Be at least 20 years old to apply and at least 21 years of age to be appointed. By law (Foreign Service Act of 1980), all career candidates (except for preference-eligible veterans) must be appointed to the Foreign Service prior to the month in which they reach age 60.
  • Be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret / SCI Security Clearance.
  • Be able to obtain an appropriate medical clearance for Foreign Service work.
  • Pass a final suitability review, based on a review of the candidate's record for any conduct that falls short of suitability standards defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Service Manual. For more details see http://careers.state.gov/specialist/selection-process or http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/regs/fam.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Foreign Service Security Technical Specialists (STSs) are members of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security team that provides a safe environment for the conduct of U.S. diplomacy worldwide. The STS work requirements are incredibly varied and include managing projects, advising, supervising and training personnel, supporting dignitary travel, and exploring the use of new technology. STS's assist in worldwide technical security programs that provide protection for Department of State facilities and personnel from technical espionage, acts of terrorism, and crime. As part of this protection effort, STS personnel are responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing a vast array of complex technical security equipment such as alarms, access control and networked CCTV systems, X-ray machines, explosive detectors, vehicular and pedestrian access control systems, metal detectors and more. The mission of STS personnel is accomplished through the performance of some or all of the following functions or tasks:

  • Installing technical security system equipment and components


  • Assisting Security Engineering Officers with surveys, system specifications, and installations


  • Ensure vehicle barriers, X-ray machines, forced entry ballistic resistant (FEBR) doors, walk-through metal detectors and explosive detection equipment are fully operational


  • Repair and preventative maintenance of technical security systems


  • Verification-of-operation tests of technical security systems


  • Travel to overseas embassies and consulates


  • Use of sophisticated electronic test equipment: oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, etc.


  • Bench repair to the component level of defective technical security system equipment


  • Manage equipment logistics - shipping, receiving, Bill-of-Materials (BOM) preparation


  • Equipment Inventory - tracking, spare parts, ordering


  • Organizing workshops, shop tools, equipment, parts, and supplies


  • Working with host country personnel (local nationals) when required


  • Testing new-generation technical security equipment


  • Assisting in technical aspects of criminal investigations


  • Assisting in the technical security support rendered to the Secretary of State


  • Manage training programs for various technical security systems


  • Training of technical personnel at post as required

A CAREER IN THE FOREIGN SERVICE

The Department of State is seeking Foreign Service Security Technical Specialists to serve at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. Worldwide availability is an essential requirement of the job. Candidates must agree not only to serve at any U.S. diplomatic or consular post abroad, but also at domestic locations such as the Department of State in Washington, DC, and the Florida Regional Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL as needed by the Foreign Service.

Security Technical Specialists also provides support to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York City, and various regional field offices located throughout the United States.

A career in the Foreign Service involves uncommon commitments and frequent hardships, as well as unique rewards and opportunities. As a member of a diplomatic team, you will help accomplish the mission of the Department of State and also be a representative of your country to the people of other nations. A decision to enter this career must involve strong motivation and a firm dedication to public service.

Many overseas posts are in countries where harsh climates, health hazards, and other discomforts are prevalent and where American-style amenities frequently are unavailable. Personal security frequently becomes an area of concern, particularly in countries where there is political unrest or terrorist activity. For this reason, family members are not permitted to accompany the STS on assignments to some of the overseas posts. However, careers in the Foreign Service offer special rewards, including the pride and satisfaction of representing the United States and protecting U.S. interests abroad.

The Foreign Service strives for diversity to show the best face of America abroad. Diversity is one of America's greatest strengths. In representing the United States to the world, the Foreign Service aims to reflect and respect our rich heritage and varied backgrounds in its workforce.

THE SECURITY TECHNICAL SPECIALIST CAREER INITIAL ASSIGNMENTS

All Security Technical Specialists must complete approximately six months of specialized training in the Washington, DC area upon their entry on duty with the Department of State. Failure to successfully complete all aspects of this training is grounds for separation.

Domestic Assignments - A Security Technical Specialist assigned to a domestic position will be a team member of a group dedicated to a functional area within the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Functional areas include:

  • Domestic Technical Security
  • Systems Development and Evaluations
  • Secretary of State Support
  • Overseas Support
  • Quality Control and Liaison

Overseas Assignments - A Security Technical Specialist assigned to an overseas position will serve as a security technician at any of the Engineering Services Offices or Engineering Services Centers located at U.S. diplomatic or consular posts around the world. While working at Foreign Service posts, Security Technical Specialists perform some or all of the duties described earlier.

Both overseas and domestic assignments may require frequent travel and some long-term temporary duty.

In the execution of any of these duties and tasks, STS personnel may frequently be required to:

  • Work in confined areas such as crawlspaces, attics, utility pits, tunnels, manholes, and other confined spaces


  • Work from heights to include rooftops, ledges, bucket trucks, scaffolding, and extension ladders


  • Perform manual installation operations to include hammer drilling, core drilling, pulling wire, installing conduit, and terminating cable


  • Move heavy objects such as crates, building materials, motor-generators that may be oversized and weigh in excess of 70 lbs


  • Travel and work in hostile environments such as war zones, areas of civil and political strife, and in regions of the world having extreme climates .

FOREIGN SERVICE SELECTION PROCESS

The Foreign Service selection process may be lengthy, multi-staged, and due to the limited number of appointments available, highly competitive. It commences upon receipt of the candidate's application materials and will continue until the candidate is appointed from a list of eligible candidates (a process which can sometimes take as long as a year or more), or the candidacy is terminated.

Current plans call for the entire selection process (qualifications evaluation and oral examination) to be conducted in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Travel to the assessment location is at the expense of the applicant.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED

Candidates will be evaluated on their total background including experience, education, awards, training and self-development as it relates to the position. Part-time work experience will be prorated. Candidates will be initially evaluated through an online application screening. Those applications which rank at or above the determined cut score will be further evaluated to confirm that they meet the minimum qualification requirements. Candidates invited to the assessments will then be evaluated through written and oral assessments.

Those who have successfully gone through the selection process will be required to obtain the following;

  • A Top Secret / SCI security clearance
  • A valid class 1 medical clearance and supplementary medical requirement pertaining to hearing and vision requirements
  • Pass a final suitability review

Once all clearances are received, candidate names are added to a rank-order Register. Candidates can improve their standing on the register by obtaining additional points for qualifying military service and / or proven language ability as determined by the Foreign Service Institute. More information on these two points, as well as the clearance process, is available on our website at http://careers.state.gov/specialist/selection-process. Selection for this position will be made only from among those candidates possessing the best qualifications.

Application materials become the property of the Department of State and will not be returned. Failure to adequately substantiate education and work experience by virtue of documentation and verification will result in termination of your application for the position of Security Technical Specialist.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must be U.S. citizens between the ages of 20 and 60.

Superior Oral and Written Communication Skills: In order to pass the Foreign Service's thorough and competitive assessment process, successful candidates must consistently meet a high standard for English, both written (overall structure as well as grammar, spelling and punctuation) and spoken (overall structure as well as deliver, clarity and succinctness). Those who fall short of this standard will have little chance of passing through the Foreign Service's highly competitive assessment process.

Professional-level speaking ability in a foreign language is welcome, but not a requirement for applying. However, the applicant must be willing to be trained by the Department of State in a foreign language to meet a job requirement or expectation. These will be important considerations in the competitive promotion process.

Prior to appointment, Security Technical Specialist candidates must undergo a thorough background investigation to determine eligibility for a TOP SECRET security clearance and suitability for appointment to the Foreign Service and undergo an extensive medical examination to obtain a class 1 medical clearance for worldwide service.

In addition, Security Technical Specialist candidates must meet supplementary physical standards to include, but not limited to, additional vision and hearing requirements. The standards for the Security Technical Specialist position can be found at http://careers.state.gov/resources/downloads in documents entitled "DS supplementary physical qualification standards."

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:

High School Diploma/GED (required)

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must have at least 3 years of specialized experience which demonstrates the ability to troubleshoot and repair electronic, electrical, and/or electromechanical systems and equipment, and is supported by work experience in this discipline.

DESIRED SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE

Desired areas of expertise include the following:

  • Reading, interpreting, and drawing electrical, electronic, and electromechanical schematics
  • Reading and interpreting building plans (blueprints)
  • AC power distribution systems, motor-generators
  • Motors, motor controls, disconnects, relays
  • Low voltage DC electronic systems
  • Low voltage DC electromechanical systems
  • Use, repair, and/or calibration of electronic test equipment - meters, oscilloscopes
  • Bench repair of electronic, electrical, and electromechanical equipment to the component level
  • Mechanical and electromechanical locking systems - electronic strikes, locks
  • Pedestrian and vehicular access control systems - door controls, vehicle barriers/arrest
  • Closed-circuit television systems (CCTV) systems - monitors, cameras, switchers
  • Metal detectors - hand held, walk through
  • Radio communications systems, voice and digital communications networks
  • Intrusion Detection Systems - alarms, detectors, sensors
  • Public Address Systems - emergency notification systems, intercoms

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE

Applicants may substitute educational achievements for specialized experience. Each time period of related formal academic, technical, vocational, or trade school education may be substituted for the equivalent time period of specialized experience up to a maximum of two years.

Desired educational experience may be one or more of the following:

  • An associate's degree in any electronics specialty
  • Vocational or military training in any electronics specialty
  • Formal job-related classroom training, equipment manufacturer's schools, etc

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Some of the essential functions of the job have a physically demanding component. For instance, in conducting technical surveillance countermeasures surveys, a Security Technical Specialist is periodically required to perform work that requires regular and recurring periods of prolonged standing, bending, and stretching. A Security Technical Specialist is required periodically to climb ladders and work from heights in performing the essential duties. Other essential duties of the job may involve recurring lifting of moderately heavy equipment and tools. Related activities may include crawling, maneuvering, and working in cramped spaces as well as the occasional moving and transporting of diplomatic pouches.

The Office of Medical Services will conduct or arrange for a physical examination of each applicant offered a position to ensure that the candidate meets the physical and medical requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the job and can meet the standards required for a worldwide medical clearance. In addition, candidates must have vision that is correctable to 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other, no color blindness, adequate night vision, and good peripheral vision. In addition, candidates must be able to hear whispers at 15 feet with no loss of greater than 30 decibels at 500, 1000, or 2000, ops level.

HOW TO APPLY

We are not currently accepting applications for this position. Please subscribe to receive email updates regarding this position.

To apply, applicants must first register on USAJOBS at www.usajobs.gov and create an online federal resume. Your online resume must be typed or you may cut and paste an existing resume into the space provided. Once you have completed the registration process, print this vacancy information document and then select the 'apply-online' button to the right.

Apply: Follow the 'apply online' instructions in the Gateway to State where you will answer self-assessment questions for the specific job to which you are applying. When completed, the information you provided at USAJOBS and the answers to the Gateway to State questions will become your application. Your registration, resume, and responses to questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this job. In addition, you must fax or upload some information to complete your application package.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Applicants will have the option to either electronically upload or fax their documents into the system.

The following numbered documents are required for a complete application package.

  1. A completed, signed, and dated Minimum Qualifications Checklist (pdf).


  2. Also submit copies of certificates of completion of any formal educational experience that is related to the Security Technical Specialist career (with the exception of courses applied towards any college degree listed in a submitted unofficial transcript).


  3. If claiming veterans preference, you must provide a copy of DD214 for 5 point preference. If claiming 10 point preference, in addition to the DD214, applicants must provide a copy of their VA letter awarding the disability rating and form SF-15.


  4. A narrative autobiography (as part of the online application) which discusses your:
    • Personal background
    • Personal interests, hobbies and travel
    • Professional experience which was not included in the employment application
    • Motivation for applying for a Foreign Service Security Technical Specialist career
    • Maximum length of 5000 characters.

If faxing, please print the fax coversheets generated at the end of the on-line application process. Then fax the supporting documentation to the number listed on the computer generated fax coversheets prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

**IMPORTANT** Be sure to print BOTH coversheets and fax your documents in separate transmissions.

NOTE: The fax coversheets contain an important ID number; keep a copy for your files. Be certain to follow the instructions, otherwise you WILL lose consideration for this job.

All required documents must be received by the closing date of the announcement. Incomplete application packages will not be considered.

What to Expect Next

Application packages that are complete by the closing date of the announcement will be assessed to determine if initial qualifications were met. Candidates will be notified if they are to be further considered or if their application is not competitive.

Competitive Applicants: The limited number of applicants who are identified for further consideration will be notified of the next phase of the selection / assessment process. That process will entail appearance before a Board of Examiners panel to participate in an oral and written assessment. The board is composed of Security Technical Specialist and other employees of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

Submitted materials become the property of the Department of State and will not be returned.

TEST SITE INFORMATION

SECURITY TECHNICAL SPECIALIST CANDIDATES

Completed applications from candidates who were successful in the online application process and who scored at or above the determined cut score are reviewed to ensure that their application package and documents meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Only a very limited number of those applicants will be invited to an assessment that takes approximately three to four hours.

Teams from the Board of Examiners will conduct those assessments.

The assessment consists of a hand-written essay, a Qualifications Evaluation Process and an oral assessment. Various phases of this process are scored using the following dimensions: written and oral communication, motivation, composure, interpersonal skills, judgment, resourcefulness, initiative and leadership, adaptability / flexibility, perspective and breadth of knowledge, cultural awareness and experience, stability and adjustment, analytical and synthesizing ability, planning and organizing.

In the oral assessment, questions posed to applicants may address current events, motivation, interpersonal skills, objectivity and integrity as well as some technical hypothetical questions concerning the STS position.

The assessment / examination process is comprised of four phases:

  • A 45-minute written essay;
  • A written qualifications evaluation questionnaire;
  • An oral qualifications interview; and
  • An oral assessment administered by a member of the Board of Examiners and a Diplomatic Security Technical Specialist.

We are currently planning to conduct examinations only in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Travel to the assessment location is at the expense of the applicant.

Benefits

INITIAL SALARY AND SALARY INCREASES
  • GRADE LEVEL - FP-06
  • SALARY - $38,394 - $56,383 per annum
  • EDUCATION - High School Diploma/GED (required)
  • SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE (years) - 3

Initial base salary upon appointment will be within the FP-06 pay grade. The specific step within this grade depends on experience level and salary history, and will be determined at the time of an offer of employment. The entry-level salary for current Federal civilian employees without a break in service will be set at the rate, within the Foreign Service FP-06 grade, which is nearest to their previous base salary; however, the maximum salary is limited to the step 14 of the FP-06.

Salaries at the time of appointment may also be adjusted to include domestic locality pay. Overseas salaries may be adjusted to include a 16.52% overseas locality / comparability payment, cost-of-living allowances, post differentials, danger pay, and / or other allowances specific to the post of assignment. The actual differences in pay will be determined by the location of assignments.

STSs appointed at the FP-06 level will be administratively promoted to the FP-05 level following completion of 12 months in class with satisfactory performance, and to the FP-04 level after an additional 18 months of satisfactory performance.

COMPETITIVE PROMOTION AND WITHIN-GRADE INCREASES

Following the mandatory two assignments as an entry-level employee, the STS bids on subsequent domestic or overseas assignments every one to three years. Specialists serve with the management team at their Foreign Service posts. They may have an opportunity to participate in non-technical embassy work and in social and community activities as part of the embassy family. After the first two assignments, employees may request assignments in any embassy or consulate worldwide where STS positions are available. Assignments are made in consultation with the employee's Career Development Officer, taking into consideration the needs of the Department, the particular interests / skills of the employee, career development requirements, family circumstances, and individual preferences.

All employees are evaluated, in writing, at least once a year. The employee is an active participant in this process. The evaluations form the basis for promotions, which are made by a board of more senior employees. In addition to the formal training program, STSs advance in their career by performing well and taking progressively more management responsibilities in their assignments. In general, Foreign Service employees with documented satisfactory performance are eligible to receive a within-grade increase annually up through step 10 and biannually from steps 10 through 14.

TENURE

All Foreign Service STS career candidates are considered for tenure after they have acquired two years of experience in the Foreign Service as a career candidate and have been administratively promoted to the FP-04 level. A tenuring board recommends tenure based on demonstrated ability to perform satisfactorily along with the potential to perform at higher levels. If tenure is not granted during the first review, a second review will be made one year later. Failure to achieve tenure within the prescribed time frame of four years is grounds for separation.

Executive Branch agencies are barred by 5 US Code 3303 as amended from accepting or considering prohibited political recommendations and are required to return any prohibited political recommendations to sender. In addition, as mandated by 5 US Code 3110, relatives of federal employees may not be granted preference in competing for these employment opportunities.

It is the policy of the Federal Government to treat all of its employees with dignity and respect and to provide a workplace that is free from discrimination whether that discrimination is based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity or pregnancy), national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, age, sexual orientation, or other non-merit factors.

The Department provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should so advise the Department. All decisions for granting reasonable accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.