Deadline for Applications: February 2, 2017
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
United States Department of State
An Equal Opportunity Employer
How to Apply
Announcement STS-2017-0001
Position Title: Diplomatic Security Foreign Service Security Technical Specialist
Open Period: January 4, 2017 – February 2, 2017
Series/Grade: FP – 0086-06/06
Salary: $39,954 – $58,674
Promotion Potential: FP-03
Position Information: Full-time – Permanent after tenure granted by a Foreign Service Specialist (FSS) Tenure Board
Duty Locations: MANY Vacancies – Worldwide
Security Clearance: Top Secret
Supervisory Status: Yes
Who May Apply
Must be a U.S. citizen. Potential applicants should read the entire announcement to ensure that they meet all of the requirements and understand a Foreign Service career.
Applicants may not reapply for one year after the previous application for the same positon.
If a State Department Suitability (Final) Review Panel denied suitability in the last two years, you may not apply.
Job Summary
The U.S. Department of State, our country’s lead foreign policy agency, provides a rich international experience whether at home or abroad, and opportunities to become responsible leaders.
Each day, our employees make a difference as they defend and advance our country’s interests and values. They work on the business of diplomacy and high priority issues that impact the safety, security, and prosperity of our world – human rights, environment, energy, food security, public health, and technology – all while experiencing a unique career.
Our talented workforce reflects and champions all of our strengths and diversity – personal, professional, and educational. We offer a workplace that values and rewards leadership, collaboration and innovation, and personal and professional development.
Security Technical Specialists (STS) provide support for and assist in worldwide technical security programs to maintain and provide protection for Department of State facilities and personnel from technical espionage, acts of terrorism, and crime.
The Department of State is developing a rank-order list of eligible hires for a number of Security Technical Specialists (STS) vacancies. The specific number to be hired will be based on the needs of the Department and is subject to change.
For additional information, please visit the Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s website at www.state.gov/m/ds or the Department of State’s Career’s site at www.careers.state.gov.
TRAVEL REQUIRED
- 25% or greater
- An STS generally spends the majority of his/her career assigned to the Department of State’s overseas missions and at times, lives away from family and/or in difficult or isolated conditions. Selected applicants will be notified of an Oral Assessment (OA) requirement in Washington D.C. For the selected applicants, all travel and other expenses incurred in connection with the OA are the sole responsibility of the applicant.
RELOCATION AUTHORIZED
- Yes
- After completing orientation, initial training and first assignment in Washington, D.C., an STS usually is assigned to two overseas tours, each two years in length, directed by the Department. After the initial two tours, assignments will be for periods of one to three years overseas or in the United States.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
- Be a U.S. citizen and available for worldwide service.
- Be able to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
- Be able to obtain an appropriate Foreign Service Medical Clearance.
- Be able to obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination.*
- Be at least 20 years old and at least 21 years old to be appointed.
- Be appointed prior to age 60 (preference eligible veterans excepted).**
DUTIES:
The duties of a Security Technical Specialist (STS) vary according to the size of the post and the requirements of the specific diplomatic mission. At various times at posts around the world, or in domestic locations, the following are examples of the types of duties and responsibilities assigned to STS. This list is neither exhaustive, nor in priority order:
- Install technical security system equipment and components.
- Assist and/or perform surveys, system specifications, and installations.
- Ensure vehicle barriers, X-ray machines, CCTV systems, alarm systems, emergency notification systems, forced entry ballistic resistant (FEBR) doors, walk-through metal detectors, explosive detection equipment and other technical security equipment are fully operational.
- Repair and preventative maintenance of technical security systems.
- Verification-of-operation tests of technical security systems.
- Travel to overseas embassies and consulates.
- Use sophisticated electronic test equipment: oscilloscopes, time domain reflectometers, etc.
- Manage equipment logistics – shipping, receiving, Bill-of-Materials (BOM) preparation.
- Equipment Inventory – tracking, spare parts, ordering.
- Organize workshops, shop tools, equipment, parts, and supplies.
- Work with host country personnel (local nationals) when required.
- Test new-generation technical security equipment.
- Assist in the technical aspects of criminal investigations.
- Assist in the technical security support rendered to the Secretary of State.
- Manage training programs for various technical security systems.
- Train technical personnel at posts as required.
- Write technical reports, including evaluation of equipment and/or systems, maintenance and/or installation activities, and other documentation as required.
In the execution of any of these duties and tasks, STS personnel may frequently be required to:
- Work in confined areas such as crawlspaces, attics, utility pits, tunnels, manholes, and other confined spaces.
- Work from heights to include rooftops, ledges, bucket trucks, scaffolding, and extension ladders.
- Perform manual installation operations to include hammer drilling, core drilling, pulling wire, installing conduit, and terminating cable.
- Move heavy objects, such as crates, building materials, motor-generators that may be oversized and weigh in excess of 70 lbs.
- Travel and work in hostile environments such as war zones, areas of civil and political strife, and in regions of the world having extreme climates.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Applicants must have at least three years of specialized experience which demonstrates the ability to troubleshoot and repair electronic, electrical, and/or electro-mechanical systems and equipment, and is supported by work experience in this discipline.
Examples of experience include, but are not limited to the following:
- Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair and installation of AC power distribution systems, motor-generators
- Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair and installation of motors, motor controls, disconnects, relays
- Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair and installation of low voltage DC electronic systems
- Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair and installation of low voltage DC electro-mechanical systems
- Use, repair, and/or calibration of electronic test equipment – meters, oscilloscopes
- Bench repair of electronic, electrical, and electro-mechanical equipment to the component level
- Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair and installation of mechanical and electro-mechanical locking systems – electronic strikes, locks
- Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair and installation of pedestrian and vehicular access control systems – door controls, vehicle barriers / arrest
- Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair and installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems – monitors, cameras, switches
- Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair and installation of metal detectors – hand held, walk through
- Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair and installation of radio communications systems, voice and digital communications networks
- Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair and installation of Intrusion Detection Systems – alarms, detectors, sensors
- Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair and installation of Public Address Systems – emergency notification systems, intercoms
- Troubleshooting, installation, maintenance and repair of Internet Protocol (IP) based security systems
In addition, STS candidates must meet supplementary physical standards to include, but not limited to, additional vision and hearing requirements. The standards for the Security Technical Specialist position can be found at http://careers.state.gov/downloads/download-center in documents entitled “DS supplementary physical qualification standards” (http://careers.state.gov/attachments/sts_supp_phys_qual.pdf).
For more information, and to apply, click here.