Executive Director, Test & Evaluation

About the role

Test & Evaluation plans and conducts integrated developmental, certification, operational, and acceptance testing across the Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL), Transportation Security Administration Systems Integration Facility (TSIF), and field operations to validate performance and confirm systems are ready for TSA deployment.

What you will do

• The Executive Director, Test and Evaluation (T&E), Security Capabilities (SC), Technology & Systems (TS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) serves as the independent Operational Test Agent (OTA) on behalf of TSA as well as the Director of the TSA Systems Integration Facility (TSIF); and provides developmental, certification, qualification, and operational test and evaluation support to the TSA and other DHS components.
• The Executive Director, T&E serves as the primary liaison to DHS Headquarters on all T&E matters, including T&E policy, and establishes the Division's strategies, goals, and objectives, and ensures alignment with SC, TSA and DHS strategies, goals and objectives.
• Duties include: Conducting risk analysis to manage TSA acquisition programs' costs, schedules and performance baselines.
• Identifying and assessing risk areas related to test activities and associated program costs, schedules, and performance, implementing appropriate mitigations and contingencies as necessary.
• Developing and maintaining a robust T&E capability to support all testing for TSA to include: acquisition support, Concept of Operations (CONOPS) or process development/refinement, and threat mitigation.
• Ensuring test activities are executed in accordance with T&E directives, SC/CAE Test and evaluation Policy, as well as the SC T&E Guidebook.
• Conducting outreach in support of TSA and DHS acquisition executives on matters related to T&E to include engagement with TSA operational elements, industry associations, equipment manufacturers, the DHS Science and Technology (S&T)Directorate, and others as appropriate.
• Serving as Supervisor of the Deputy Director of the Transportation Security Laboratory, a DHS S&T laboratory which executes developmental and independent test and evaluation in support of the certification of TSA screening technologies.
• Directing the TSA-related activities at the Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center (TEDAC) Improvised Explosives Detection and Synthesis Center, a laboratory dedicated to researching, manufacturing, testing, and characterizing Improvised Explosives and Devices.
• Coordinating with executives and senior executives across internal and external organizations to ensure consistency in application of communications, processes and procedures related to T&E.

Requirements

• Must serve a probationary period of one year unless you previously completed the probationary period in a SES/TSES position.
• Must complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• Subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
• Must file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• Must complete a favorable Tier 5 Background Investigation (T5).
• This position requires a TS/SCI (Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information) clearance that must be completed prior to appointment.
• You will be subject to a 5-year periodic investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.
• Failure to obtain and maintain the required clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations.
• Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information).
• If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment.

Education

This position does not have a positive education requirement.

How you will be evaluated

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) listed above.

ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES/TSES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position.

The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES/TSES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES/TSES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

For more information regarding the SES/TSES, go to ***

Documents you must provide

• A complete application includes items described below.
• Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
• Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit.
• Some documents may not apply to all applicants.
• RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience.
• Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES)/Transportation Security Executive Service (TSES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs.
• Narrative description of duties with start and end dates (including the month and year) for work experience.
• Number of hours worked in a position (i.e., full-time or part-time).
• If part-time, state the total number of hours worked per week.
• Performance level (i.e., band or grade).
• VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.
• ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable: CURRENT OR FORMER SES/TSES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility (except current TSA employees).
• SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Must provide verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification (except current TSA employees).
• CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee (except current TSA employees).
• STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Provide most recent performance evaluation.
• NOTE: An award SF-50 (i.e. cash or time off award) does not indicate grade or level (i.e. pay band) or tenure to determine your eligibility for this position and will not be accepted.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Learn more about federal benefits Review our Benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

What to expect next

To verify the status of your application, sign in to your USAJOBS account (***), 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: ***

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Additional information

The TSA, an excepted service agency, was established by Public Law 107-71, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA), on November 19, 2001. ATSA provides TSA with the authority to modify and develop its own human capital program, provided such modifications are consistent with 49 USC 40122. This is an excepted service position.

However, there is an interchange agreement with the OPM and TSA that enables Career TSES members who have been approved by the Qualifications Review Board at OPM to qualify for Senior Executive Service (SES) positions without additional competition.

You will be required to serve a probationary period of one year unless you previously completed the probationary period in a SES/TSES position.

When you enter on duty, you will be required to complete a Public Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 278. You will need to provide this information annually. Veteran's Preference is not applicable to the SES/TSES.

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES/TSES leaders. Individuals selected for SES/TSES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Mobility Agreement.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: *** Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: *** Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see ***).

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES/TSES employees in the executive branch.

If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES/TSES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.