Department: Department of Homeland Security
Agency: U.S. Secret Service
Job Announcement Number: OPR-MH14138-08
Intelligence Research Specialist (Student Trainee)
Salary Range: $15.21 - $24.50 per hour
Open Period: 2/6/2008 to 2/12/2008
Series & Grade: GS-0199-5/7
Position Information: Part-Time
Student Career Experience Program
Promotion Potential: GS-12
Successful completion of a polygraph
examination is required for this position.
Duty Location: 1+ vacancies - Office
Protective Research, Intelligence Division,
Washington, DC
Who May Be Considered:
All U.S. Citizens–open to students in the local commuting area.
Indicate lowest grade acceptable. Applicants who fail to indicate the lowest grade
acceptable will only be referred for the highest grade for which qualified.
Job Summary:
Building on a Tradition of Excellence and Meeting the Challenges of the Future
The Secret Service is a premier law enforcement organization with two critical national security
missions: protect our nation’s leaders and to conduct criminal investigations. Our team members
continue a tradition of excellence – whether investigating financial crime or protecting national and
visiting foreign leaders. In the Secret Service, we serve the country with duty, loyalty, justice,
integrity and courage.
In the Secret Service, we:
·
Protect the President, the Vice President, and other leaders; investigate threats against
them; and, safeguard their residences and other facilities
·
Plan and implement security designs for National Special Security Events
·
Investigate financial crimes including fraud, identity theft and computer-based attacks on
banking or telecommunications infrastructure
This position is being filled under the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)
What is the Student Educational Employment Program (SCEP) - it is a program that provides
Federal employment opportunities to students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment as
degree seeking students taking at least a half-time academic, technical, or vocational course load
in an accredited high school, technical, vocational, 2 or 4 year college or university, graduate or
professional school. Students in the SCEP may be noncompetitively converted to term, career or
career-conditional appointments following completion of their academic and work experience
requirements. For more information on the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) please
visit the Office of Personnel Management website for more information on the Student Career
Experience Program.
Major Duties:
The selectee will serve as a Student Trainee (Intelligence Research) for the U.S. Secret Service,
Office of Protective Research, Intelligence Division. As a student trainee (Intelligence Research)
he/she will be responsible for performing intelligence research projects and assignments where
the duties are well-defined and easily understood and assisting higher graded specialists on more
complex projects; assists in analyzing, abstracting, and disseminating current and accurate
information received from a variety of sources pertaining to subjects or groups who may pose a
potential threat to the Service’s protectees or protected facilities; assists in the research, review
and evaluation of classified and sensitive intelligence information to determine its
significance relative to the Service’s protective mission; assists in the preparation of a variety of
intelligence reports based on analysis and evaluation of current intelligence information received
from multiple sources; assists in analyzing interim and closing reports to determine the
completeness and accuracy of information; performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Student Career Experience Program candidates must meet the qualification requirements of the
position contained in the Qualification Standards for Competitive Service Student Trainee
Positions. List only education from an educational institution accredited by an accrediting agency
recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Meeting SCEP Requirements:
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age at the time of appointment.
Currently enrolled on at least a half-time basis in an accredited high school, technical or vocational
school or be enrolled in a 2 or 4 year college or university, graduate or professional school; be
enrolled in academic, vocational, or technical program leading to a degree diploma or certificate.
Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
Provide proof of enrollment and GPA in addition to submitting a resume. If you do not provide your
most recent transcript to verify GPA and proof of enrollment, you will not receive consideration for
this position.
Applicants MUST provide copies of college transcript.
At the GS-5 level:
Completion of 4 full years of post-high school study leading to a bachelor's
degree, or completion of 4 years of pre-professional study.
At the GS-7 level:
Completion of one (1) full year of graduate level education, or completion of
the requirements for a bachelor's degree if the student meets the criteria for
Superior Academic Achievement, or completion of five years of preprofessional study.
Superior Academic Achievement: In order to qualify at the GS-7 level based on superior
academic achievement, candidates must have:
(1) Standing in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university or major
subdivision; or
(2) Overall grade point average of 3.0 or better or a grade point average in the major field of study
of 3.5 or better, either for all four years of study or for the last two years; or
(3) Elected membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society.
A college transcript must be submitted with the application for verification of eligibility.
If the student has any previous work experience that is directly related to the work of the target
occupational series (that is, the position for which the student is training), then the appointment
may be made at the highest grade level for which the applicant is qualified and eligible. Students
must complete 640 hours on-the-job experience prior to graduation and may be non-competitively
converted into a career or career-conditional appointment. Questions regarding the crediting of
experience should be directed to the Personnel Division.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
As a condition of employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that
they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under
Selective Service law.
This position is critical-sensitive. Completion of a full-field investigation is required before
appointment. Applicants must qualify for a top secret clearance.
All applicants tentatively selected for this position (except current Secret Service employees) shall
be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Actual
appointment will be contingent upon the receipt of a negative drug test result.
Successful completion of a polygraph examination is required for this position.
How Will You Be Evaluated:
SELECTIVE FACTOR(S): Not Required
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR THE POSITION:
***IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED*** for this vacancy, applicants must submit a Supplemental
Qualifications Statement describing ***separately for each Knowledge, Skill and Ability (KSA)
listed in this announcement*** their experience, education, training, and awards. Experience listed
in the Supplemental Qualification Statement (KSA) should also be reflected in the work experience
block of your application or your resume. The first KSA is the quality ranking factor (the factor
used in determining the best qualified applicants). Those applicants who do not meet the quality
ranking factor WILL NOT be referred to the selecting official.
1. Ability to research, analyze and abstract complex information and to draw conclusions in written
format.
2. Skill in the use of automated data processing systems to research and access information.
3. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing in order to prepare written products and
present briefings.
BASIS FOR RATING:
You will be rated based on an evaluation of your experience and education as it relates to the
qualification requirements and on your responses to the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs)
listed above.
Benefits:
You may participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, with costs shared with
your employer. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#FEHB.
Life insurance coverage is provided. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#life
Long-Term Care Insurance is offered and carries into your retirement. More info:
http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#ltci
New employees are automatically covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
If you are transferring from another agency and covered by CSRS, you may continue in this
program. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#retr
You will earn annual vacation leave. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#VACA
You will earn sick leave. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#SKLV
You will be paid for federal holidays that fall within your regularly scheduled tour of duty. More info:
http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#HOLI
If you use public transportation, part of your transportation costs may be subsidized. Our human
resources office can provide additional information on how this program is run.
Other Information:
When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated
to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on
your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned
to the higher level, and administrative approval.
*RELOCATION EXPENSES FOR TRANSFER ELIGIBLES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR
PAYMENT BY THE GAINING FACILITY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CURRENT SECRET
SERVICE EMPLOYEES.
How to Apply:
Applications for this vacancy should be received electronically via email or facsimile (fax) BEFORE
midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. Unless otherwise stated in this
announcement, all required supplemental application materials must be faxed and received within
48 hours of the closing date of the announcement (not including Saturdays, Sundays, or
government holidays). If you are unable to submit your application electronically, please contact
the Personnel Division at (202) 406-6090, or, for hearing impaired applicants, TTY (202)406-5390,
for assistance. Applicants MUST CONTACT the Personnel Division PRIOR to the closing date in
order to receive assistance.
All applicants must submit an OF 612, Optional Application for Federal Employment; or an SF 171,
Application for Federal Employment; or a resume; or any other application form, which includes
the information cited in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) brochure OF 510, Applying for
a Federal Job. This brochure is available from OPM or the Secret Service Personnel Division.
NOTE: Applicants who submit an OF 612, or a resume, or any other application form other than
the SF 171 must also include a Declaration for Federal Employment, OF 306. Further, applicants
must respond to the required knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the vacancy announcement.
For your convenience, the Secret Service has included blank pages at the end of the electronic
OF 612 http://www.secretservice.gov/forms/form_apply_profpos.pdf for your use in responding to
the knowledge, skills, and abilities.
1.
You may submit your application via email to the following address:
[email protected]
After saving your completed application, e-mail the application using the instructions on the form
(or as an attachment) to the e-mail address listed above. Enter the vacancy announcement
number on the subject line of the e-mail.
2.
You may submit your application by fax. If you elect to do so, you should mark each page
of your application with your name, social security number, and the appropriate vacancy
announcement number. The fax numbers for the Secret Service Personnel Division application
lines are:
(202)406-6654
(202)406-6574
VETERANS' PREFERENCE:
Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and were separated under
honorable conditions may be eligible for veterans' preference. Additional information on veterans'
preference may be found at http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp
If you are claiming veterans’ preference you must submit the following documentation by fax within
48 hours of the closing date of this announcement to receive this credit. If you are claiming 10point veterans’ preference, submit a Standard Form 15, Application for 10-point Preference, your
DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and a letter from the Veterans
Administration documenting your 10-point veterans’ preference. If you are claiming 5-point
veterans’ preference, submit a copy of your DD 214.
Candidates with Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 eligibility who want to be
considered under competitive and merit promotion procedures should submit two
applications and indicate that they wish to be considered under both procedures on their
applications or on a separate memorandum; otherwise, consideration will be given under
competitive procedures only.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES OR REINSTATEMENT ELIGIBILITY:
Candidates with Federal government transfer or reinstatement eligibility MUST submit a copy of
their most recent SF 50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing their career or careerconditional status or reinstatement eligibility (tenure code and position occupied) by fax or email
within 48 hours of the closing date of this announcement.
Candidates with Federal government status who want to be considered under competitive
and merit promotion procedures should submit two applications and indicate that they
wish to be considered under both procedures on their applications or on a separate
memorandum; otherwise, consideration will be given under merit promotion procedures
only.
NOTE: Applicants must submit the specific information requested in this vacancy announcement
(i.e., the Supplemental Qualifications Statement and, as appropriate, proof of veterans preference,
SF 50, and copy of college transcript). Applicants who fail to submit all of the information
requested in the OF 510 and this vacancy announcement will NOT receive consideration for the
position.
This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a
reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the
agency by calling (202)406-5800. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on
a case-by-case basis.
THE UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Contact Information:
U.S. Secret Service
Phone: 202-406-6420
Fax: 202-406-6654/202-406-6574
TDD: 202-406-5390
Internet: [email protected]
Or Write:
U.S. Secret Service
Please email or fax.
Washington DC 20223
US
What to Expect Next:
Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications
and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring
manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 45
days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.
EEO Policy Statement
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age,
membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.
Reasonable Accommodation
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where
appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and
hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for
reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Veterans Information
Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and were separated under
honorable conditions may be eligible for veterans’ preference. For service beginning after October
15, 1976, the veteran must have served the required length of time and have a Campaign Badge,
Expeditionary Medal, a service-connected disability, or have served in the Gulf War between
August 2, 1990, and January 2, 1992.
The Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) gives veterans access to job vacancies that
might otherwise be closed to them. The law allows eligible veterans to compete for vacancies
advertised under agency’s promotion procedures when the agency is seeking applications from
outside of its own workforce.
To claim veterans’ preference, veterans should be ready to provide a copy of their DD-214,
Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other proof. Veterans with service
connected disability and others claiming 10 point preference will need to submit Form SF-15,
Application for 10-point Veterans’ Preference.
For more specifics on all veterans employment issues such as Veterans preference or special
appointing authorities see the VetGuide.
Legal and Regulatory Guidance
Social Security Number - Your Social Security Number is requested under the authority of
Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may
have the same name. As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is
used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know
you. Failure to provide your Social Security Number on your application materials, will result in
your application not being processed.
Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine
qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
Signature - Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the
information in your application.
False Statements - If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be
hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other
disciplinary action.
Selective Service - 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 under
the Selective Service Law.