Job Information
Transportation Security Administration Program Analyst in Atlantic City, New Jersey
Summary The primary purpose of this Program Analyst position is to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of program operations and systems in meeting established goals and objectives, and to advise on methods and procedures to improve program effectiveness and efficiency. Work is primarily accomplished through research, data gathering and analysis. Some positions include basic budget and financial management duties related to short-or long-range planning of programs and objectives. Responsibilities This Program Analyst position is located at Enterprise Support (ES), Training and Development (T&D), TSA Training Center, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to: Analyze systems, processes and procedures for assigned program area(s). Guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) exist and can be directly applied to the program operations; judgment is used to select which guideline(s) is most appropriate, and when minor deviations may be considered. Draft detailed written policies or portions of policies, procedures, guidance and/or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for assigned programs. Work includes recommendations and suggestions for improving program management efficiency and effectiveness. Use automated systems and databases to compile, track, and analyze statistical and narrative data. Analyze gathered information by compiling, categorizing, calculating, and tabulating data to identify underlying issues, patterns or trends. Evaluate data to identify deficiencies in processes or procedures, and recommend effective counter-measures or options for resolution. Research new or revised business and management practices, policies and guidance, and provide recommendations to the management team on applicability and options for implementation to improve program operations. Assist in the development and implementation of training and instruction programs or activities to educate Agency personnel on assigned program(s). Develop instructional materials, handouts/guides, including technical information/specifications as appropriate, to support informational efforts. The major duties described above reflect the full performance level of this position. Typically, the lower pay band (G Band) performs the same duties but will receive more guidance and training; and/or projects/work assignments may be less complex. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National. You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI). Selective Service registration is required. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance. 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. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for TSA to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. 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 Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change. Qualifications To qualify for the SV-G pay band (equivalent to GS-11 grade level): Applicants must meet one of the qualification requirements (A, B, or C) outlined below: A. Experience: you must have one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the SV-F or GS-9 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as: Making recommendations to improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency. Conducting analytical studies and surveys for a variety of managerial operations and systems. Processing data for analytical review, inventory and reporting. OR B. Education: Achievement of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M., if related. OR C. Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education, beyond the second year, and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for this position, and may be computed by first determining your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the band level; then determining your education as a percentage of the education required for the band level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11. To qualify at the SV- H pay band (equivalent to GS-12 grade level): Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the SV-G or GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all the following: Conducting analytical studies and surveys to identify, analyze and recommend solutions to problems for improvement in program efficiency; and Analyzing and evaluating administrative practices for program development and making recommendations to improve program operational effectiveness; and Experience using information management system(s), databases, and computer applications for data collection for information reporting; and Developing presentations, creating Standard Operation Procedures (SOP), creating spreadsheets, charts, and graphs that explain program data. Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime. 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. 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. You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Education For positions requiring positive education requirements, or if you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or an itemized list of college courses from an accredited college or university, which includes equivalent information from the transcript (course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned) in your resume. The information must be provided with the application by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, the applicant must supply a transcript or certification of degree. Additional Information Eligibility to apply for other Federal positions: TSA is an Excepted Service agency exempt from most of Title 5 United States Code, including regulations which apply to displaced Federal employees (CTAP/ICTAP) of other agencies, and employment with TSA does not confer "Competitive Status" that generally results from selection and service in Competitive Service agencies. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has established an Interchange Agreement, which allows most permanent TSA employees to apply and be considered for vacancies in Competitive Service agencies. Information from OPM on this or other Interchange Agreements is available at: www.opm.gov/ 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 as a condition of placement into this position. DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306 Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. TSA employees who are absent for the purpose of performing military duty may apply for any vacancies announced in their absence. More than one position may be filled from this announcement. If you are entering TSA employment on an appointment without time limitations, you must serve a basic trial period unless you have already met the requirement. DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more. Employees who transfer to TSA from an agency that allows employees to maintain an annual leave balance higher than the maximum accumulation for the appointed position will have their leave ceiling set to the maximum accumulation for the appointed position (e.g., United States duty location - 240 hours, foreign duty location - 360 hours, or TSES position - 720 hours). TSA will not make a monetary payment for any leave forfeited under these circumstances.