About this role
Job SummaryJoining the Secret Service, Office of Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs, Liaison Division will allow you to coordinate the acquisition and maintenance of diplomatic, official passports and visas to support protective details and investigative assignments. For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.
QualificationsTo be considered qualified for this position you must meet the following qualification requirements for the respective grade level in which you are applying. Candidates selected for an interview will be required to submit a writing sample during the interview process. You qualify for the GS-11 level (starting salary $85,447.00) if you possess one of the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level performing duties such as: Coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, such as agency employees, Department of State officials, and foreign embassy representatives, to facilitate the efficient processing of passport and visa requests. Performing analytical tasks to provide guidance and/or recommend policy changes. Preparing reports related to passport and visa transactions, including tracking overdue documents and updating personnel information. Processing passport and visa applications (i.e. verifying required information, determining eligibility, and preparing documentation) for submission to the Department of State and foreign embassies. OR A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, LL.M n a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position if the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. You qualify for the GS-12 level (starting salary $102,415.00) if you possess one of the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level performing duties such as: Establishing and maintaining liaison with foreign embassies and other diverse stakeholders to ensure all information relative to requests is efficiently and expeditiously coordinated. Composing routine letters of authorization to justify passport entitlement for each passport requiring issuance or renewal of the U.S. Department of State. Maintaining and using digital system to enter, maintain, track, and retrieve information for diplomatic passports, official passports and visas. Proposing recommendations to senior-level management in developing or revising policies, procedures, and instructions in accordance with the Secret Service and Department of State federal regulations Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current competitive service employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50, "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to comply. The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement. 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.
Major DutiesThe selectee will serve as a Passport Program Specialist in the Office of Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs, Liaison Division. Typical work assignments include: Analyzing and interpreting regulations, policies and procedures that impact the agency's Passport and Visa Program. Examining applications and supporting documents for authenticity and acceptability as proof of citizenship, appropriate authorization, and entitlement. Drafting official correspondence (official messages, Intranet text, instructions, informative materials, and other official documentation regarding implementation and compliance requirements. Providing recommendations in developing or revising policies, procedures, and instructions in accordance with federal regulations.RequirementsU.S. Citizenship is required. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service If selected for this position, you will be required to: Obtain and maintain a Top Secret Tier 5 clearance. For more information visit OPM Mythbuster Page. Submit a credit check after a conditional offer of employment has been accepted. Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position. Possess a valid U.S. state motor vehicle operator's license and maintain a valid license while you occupy the position. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.