This position is located in the Continuity & Emergency Programs Division within the Office of Homeland Security. The Continuity & Emergency Programs Division operates and maintains the USDA Operations Center to collect and process information to support leadership situational awareness, emergency notification and reporting, and emergency management activities at the HQ level. This Division also oversees continuity of government and continuity of operations programs and the USDA exercise program.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions and specialized experience, as defined below. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. Specialized Experience: GS-15: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service or equivalent responsibility in the private sector/pay systems that has equipped the candidate with the particular competencies to successfully perform as a Supervisory Emergency Management Specialist. For this position, the specialized experience is leading interagency coordination on emergency preparedness, response, and continuity policy; championing initiatives and strategic direction of emergency management programs and continuity and planning programs; and, developing and establishing policies, procedures, and guidelines for emergency management programs and continuity programs. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Serves as the primary point of contact for the Director, OHS for all USDA continuity and emergency programs and activities.
Oversees the receipt, processing/handling and delivery of classified and unclassified material from the National Security Council to the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture (OSEC).
Leads USDA inputs into Federal policy and interagency engagements, including with the National Security Council.
Develops and implements USDA policies, standards, criteria, and procedures for a comprehensive continuity program.
Develops the Agency-wide standards and criteria to guide USDA regarding emergency programs.
Serves as program manager and subject matter expert with major responsibility for developing evaluation and corrective action programs for Federal, State, and local emergency management exercise programs.
Coordinates and oversees operational implementation of USDA’s continuity facilities.
Leads the oversight of the Emergency Coordinators from each USDA Mission area and agency for the purpose of timely reporting of impacts to USDA personnel and facilities nationwide and at overseas facilities.
Leads the USDA Exercise Program, providing guidance, direction, and oversight for all USDA level exercises.
Provides strategic level management and streamlining of USDA assets during an incident, ensuring a whole-of-USDA coordination approach.
Establishes innovative nationwide standards by which to judge program effectiveness, and plan for evaluation.
Identifies program deficiencies and employs innovative techniques to produce evaluation reports that thoroughly and concisely assess the strengths and weaknesses of continuity plans, policies, systems and procedures.
Represents USDA in interagency meetings with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and National Security Council.
Serves as interagency coordinating official for actual or potential emergency preparedness or response efforts for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Maintains working relationships with private, military, local, State, and other Federal agencies/officials in order to keep up to date on current issues facing the emergency management community.