Program Assistant - Transportation Security Administration - Reston, Virginia - EXPIRED

This Program Assistant position is located in the International Passport and Visa Unit of the Law Enforcement Liaison Section, Flight Programs Branch, Flight Operations Division, Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service (OLE/FAMS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If selected for this position, you will serve as a Program Assistant and be the Point of Contact (POC) responsible for providing overall operational support on a wide range of administrative program issues regarding policies, procedures and requirements governing U.S. passport and visa programs. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Planning and carrying out a variety of complex analytical reviews for Federal Air Marshals and other individuals requiring new or reissued passports and visas in the conduct of official law enforcement duties and responsibilities.
• Determining overall compliance with U.S. Department of State policies, procedures, and administrative requirements as well as applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Identifying and proposing solutions to complex problems arising from internal administrative applications processes regarding U.S. Passport and Foreign Visa requirements for TSA employees.
• Preparing reports substantiating problem areas and recommending improvements to internal administrative policies, procedures, and operations.
• Providing advice, guidance and implementing new procedures based on changes in policies, procedures, or regulations governing the issuance of U.S. Passports and Foreign visas. Preparing recommendations for implementing new administrative systems for OLE/FAMS.
• Providing general liaison with Information Technology specialists on resolving user problems and issues including access, utility of specific applications to accomplish administrative purposes for OLE/FAMS needs and other matters.
• Initiating, tracking and following up on cases and studies to ensure timely completion and regulatory compliance with overall policies, procedures, and guidelines. Responding to inquiries and disseminating information for action.
• Conducting ongoing procedural reviews to determine overall compliance with the Department of State guidelines and organizational policies and procedures governing the acquisition of passports and visas for official government use.
• Coordinating and interacting extensively with Department of State and all TSA directorates, to include OLE/FAMS Field Offices, to facilitate and complete time sensitive projects.
• Coordinating and interacting extensively with Foreign Embassy and Consular personnel to facilitate the acquisition of required official travel visas and complete time sensitive projects.

The major duties described above reflect the full performance level of this position. Typically, at the lower Pay Bands (SV-D and SV-E), you will perform the same duties but will receive more guidance and training; and projects or work assignments may be less complex.

To qualify at the SV-D Pay Band (equivalent to GS-3-6), you must meet one of the qualification requirements (A, B, OR C) outlined below:

A. Experience: If you are qualifying based on experience, your application must clearly outline at least six months of progressively responsible general experience. General Experience is defined as clerical, office, or other work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled. Such experience includes filing and maintaining simple office records, compiling and tracking data, providing basic computer assistance, scheduling meetings, typing correspondences and providing standard information on administrative policies.

OR B. Education: At least one full year of full-time academic study in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university.

OR C. Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education 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. Applicants who meet the qualifications listed above based on education or a combination of education and experience MUST provide proof of education such as a list of completed college courses or the date and school of degree including the number of semester or quarter hours or a transcript from an accredited college or university. The information must be provided as an attachment to the application by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, the applicant must supply a transcript or certification of degree.

To qualify at the SV-E Pay Band (equivalent to GS-7/8), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-D Pay Band or GS-6 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Experience includes utilizing one\'s knowledge of administrative and program policies, procedures, and requirements to plan and carry out various administrative reviews to ensure overall compliance with U.S. Department of State guidelines regarding passport and visa applications; AND
• Experience working with automated systems affecting passport and visa program requirements.

To qualify at the SV-F Pay Band (equivalent to GS-9/10), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-E Pay Band or GS-8 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Experience utilizing an advanced knowledge of administrative and program policies, and requirements to plan and carry out various administrative reviews to ensure overall compliance with the U.S. Department of State guidelines regarding passport and visa applications; AND
• Experience utilizing an advanced knowledge of and ability to apply analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to resolve various complex issues regarding passport and visa requirements to meet organizational needs; AND
• Experience working with automated systems affecting passport and visa program requirements.

NOTE: Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour work week. 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.

You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.