Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator

Joining the Secret Service, Office of Technical Operations, Aviation and Airspace Security Division will allow you to develop, coordinate, and implement airspace security plans for sites visited by the President and Vice President of the United States or other designated USSS protectees. For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.

The selectee will serve as a(n) Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator in the Office of Technical Operations, Aviation and Airspace Security Division. Typical work assignments include: Operating small, unmanned aircraft to conduct aerial surveillance, reconnaissance, site assessments, and related protective activities in support of mission-critical operations.

Developing and reviewing flight operations plans, ensuring compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, agency policies, and operational constraints; leading real-time aerial surveillance during events, identifying potential threats or vulnerabilities and relaying critical imagery and data to protective teams.

Testing, troubleshooting and evaluating Unmanned Aircraft Systems technologies and countermeasures, contributing to strategic Unmanned Aircraft Systems program development. Apply for this exciting opportunity to support the Secret Service's mission by providing a technically secure environment for the President of the United States, Vice-President of the United States, and other protectees, and to provide leading edge technical support to criminal investigations conducted by the agency.

This Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator position starts at a salary of $85,447.00, GS -11 step 1, with promotion potential to $158,322.00, GS-13 step 10. To be considered qualified for this position you must meet the following qualification requirements for the respective grade level in which you are applying. GS-11: You qualify for the GS-11 level (starting salary $85,447) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level performing duties such as:

• Assisting with the operation or maintenance of unmanned aircraft systems to support aerial surveillance or protective activities.
• Collecting or analyzing unmanned aircraft systems sensor data to aid in threat identification or situational awareness.
• Participating in the preparation of operational reports or summaries to contribute to protective planning and asset deployment. OR You have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related, from an accredited college or university that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform this work. (NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial) to support your claim). OR You have a combination of specialized experience (less than one year) and graduate education (beyond 2 years of graduate education), that when combined equals 100% of the qualification requirement. Note: Only graduate education in excess of two years (generally 36 semester hours) may be used in this calculation. (NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial) and your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet the experience to support your claim). GS-12: You qualify for the GS-12 level (starting salary $102,415) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level performing duties such as:
• Executing Unmanned Aerial Systems operations, such as threat detection, identification, tracking, and mitigation.
• Contributing to asset positioning or protective strategies via the development of reports.
• Administering or delivering training on Unmanned Aerial Systems, procedures, or policy to stakeholders. GS-13: You qualify for the GS-13 level (starting salary $121,785) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level performing duties such as:
• Planning, coordinating, or executing Unmanned Aerial Systems missions.
• Developing or implementing standard operating procedures, flight protocols, or drone strategies.
• Providing training, mentoring, or leadership in drone tactics or counter- Unmanned Aerial Systems procedures 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, Ameri. Corps) 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.

if you are qualifying for a position by substituting education or training for experience, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion.

An official transcript will be required if you are selected.