Summary The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability throughout the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In our dynamic environment, the OIG conducts investigations, audits, evaluations, and inspections to enhance program effectiveness and efficiency and to detect and prevent waste, fraud, and mismanagement in DHS programs and operations. Responsibilities This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG). The DHS OIG conducts and supervises independent audits, investigations, and inspections of the programs and operations of DHS, and recommends ways for DHS to carry out its responsibilities in the most effective, efficient, and economical manner possible. We also seek to deter, identify and address fraud, abuse, mismanagement, and waste of taxpayer funds invested in Homeland Security. The incumbent conducts broad program assignments toward advancing the DHS OIG communications and public affairs program requiring integrated analysis of a number of management programs, systems, and operations. Assignments include identifying requirements to accomplish the objectives and assists in the planning and coordinating efforts of team members who may be located in several geographic areas during the course of a project; developing new approaches where no precedents exists and/ or developing creative solutions to controversial problems; and resolving issues where governing laws and regulations are highly interpretive and/or precedents are nonexistent, obscure or conflicting. Assignments may involve new or controversial issues, may require a longer than a year to complete, and/ or may involve shaping major programs, compliance with new legislation, or facilitating the resolution of long­standing problem areas of vital importance to DHS OIG. Serves as an analyst and/or advisor to management on the evaluation of the effectiveness of a substantive program and its operations or a key segment of a broader major mission critical program within a DHS OIG program office. Provides technical guidance and advice on the most appropriate method or procedure of analysis and evaluation to accomplish the mission and ensure optimum management strategy. Formulates and identifies the operational and analytical techniques for accomplishment of project objectives to produce reliable findings. Provides advice and guidance on alternatives and resolutions to problems. Foresees the pros and cons of alternative solutions and explains these to other program and management analysts. Develops, manages, and maintains assigned programming data/information systems to include publicly available platforms (ie. Social Media) Interprets, reviews and analyzes broad policies, regulations, procedures, and system(s) requirements promulgated by higher authority to determine their impact on local operations and is responsible for their effective application and for developing adaptation and implementing guidance. Researches issues relating to non-concurrence on report findings or recommendations and provides recommendations regarding whether such matters should be referred to higher management officials at the headquarters level. Prepares and conducts evaluations which focus on the objectives; identifies techniques or methods to use in gathering data and documentation, develops new lines of inquiry and potential areas; assures that work papers are prepared in accordance with OIG procedures and other appropriate guidance; drafts survey, debriefs and reports describing results of work performance and outcomes. Reviews corrective action to closeout recommendations on prior findings and evaluates the adequacy of those corrective actions. Analyzes management information requirements to develop program or administrative reporting systems including the systems specifications, data gathering and analytical techniques, and systems evaluation methodology. Consolidates data as necessary and reviews to ensure accomplishment of objectives, timeliness, and acceptability. Provides advice and guidance for improvements and anticipates areas of concern. Often, assignments have organization wide impact and require development of plans and detailed study, and compilation and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative facts and information. Identifies, develops, analyzes and evaluates new or modified administrative program policies, regulations, goals, or objectives for use in the management and direction of programs; and develops data required for use in the management and direction of programs. Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. If you are a current federal employee, you must meet all time-in-grade and time-after competitive appointment qualifications by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. To make an accurate determination, you will need to include on your resume your federal position title, pay plan, occupational series, grade level, agency, dates for which you held the grade level (stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, OR MM/YYYY to PRESENT), and total hours worked per week. 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). You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level. Specialized experience at this level may include: 1). Integrated analysis of a number of management programs, systems, and operations; 2). Developing new approaches where no precedents exist and/or developing creative solutions to controversial problems; 3). Independently performing quantitative and qualitative analysis on program operations and/or procedures using various analytical methods and techniques; and preparing written, analytical work products requiring little revision and within short timeframes. 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 qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date 11/18/2024 of this announcement. Current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade level or equivalent grade band in the federal service. The time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing date 11/18/2024of this announcement. 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. Education No education substitution for this position. Additional Information 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. 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. Background Investigation: 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. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Additional identical positions may be filled from this announcement at a later date.