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Department of Education Headquarters

Protective Service Specialist, GS-1801-12/13 (ST)

District of Columbia, District of Columbia $105251 - $162708 PA GS Closes Oct 26, 2026
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Summary

Minimum Qualification Requirements You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-12/13, if you possess the following specialized experience. Specialized Experience for the GS-12 One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-11 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments: 1. Experience in providing protective service within the United States, as well as during periods of heightened threats that would require continuous protection. 2. Experience in implementing protective security plans as well as liaison activities with other partners in doing so. 3. Experience performing protective service advance activities within the United States. Specialized Experience for the GS-13 One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-12 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments: 1. Experience in providing protective security of a senior executive department head or equivalent within the United States, as well as during periods of heightened threats that would require continuous protection. 2. Experience in implementing protective security plans for a senior executive department head or equivalent as well as liaison activities with other partners in doing so. 3. Experience performing protective service advance activities, within the United States and overseas, and investigating threats to a senior executive department head or equivalent. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement). GS-12 Knowledge of personal protection principles, methods, techniques, and procedures to assess security threats and vulnerabilities, identify potential risks, and implement appropriate protective measures for senior government officials at residences, events, during travel, and under heightened-threat conditions. Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate personal protection operations, including transportation, communications, scheduling, site security, and other logistical requirements, to support the safe and effective movement and activities of senior agency officials. Knowledge of threat reporting, investigative procedures, and security coordination practices to support the assessment and resolution of threats against senior agency officials and facilitate information sharing with appropriate federal, state, and local law enforcement and security organizations. GS-13 Ability to independently analyze complex threat information, evaluate vulnerabilities and changing security conditions, exercise sound judgment in determining protective requirements, and adapt personal protection measures to address emerging risks during routine operations, official travel, public events, and periods of heightened threat. Ability to develop, evaluate, and coordinate comprehensive protective plans involving multiple operational requirements, stakeholders, and security resources; resolve logistical and operational conflicts; and ensure coordination of transportation, communications, site security, and related arrangements for senior agency officials. Ability to coordinate complex threat-related matters and integrate security protocols, information, and operational requirements among law enforcement agencies, intelligence and security organizations, and appropriate Department of Education and White House offices to support a coordinated response to threats against senior agency officials. Other Requirements This position requires the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle. A valid driver's license is required for the position. This position is designated as Emergency Essential and may require the incumbent to work during weather related closures. Must be able to qualify for and maintain a Top Secret/SCI Level Clearance. The incumbent must qualify to obtain a Special Deputation by the United States Marshal Service; including at minimum: having successfully completed an accredited basic law enforcement training program (civilian or military); having at least one year of previous law enforcement experience; and not having been convicted of a felony, and crime of domestic violence as defined in Title 18, USC Section 922(g)(9) Lautenberg Amendment. The incumbent will qualify for the Federal Law Enforcement Retirement System (6C) if on the date of hire the employee is 37 years old or younger, and/or has creditable law enforcement experience. This position requires random drug testing. This position requires the incumbent to work other than the normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends and/or holidays and overtime Domestic and international travel is required.

Major Duties

APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 200 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 200th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first. We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application. As a Protective Service Specialist, GS-1801-12/13 (ST), GS-1801-12, you will be responsible for: This position is located in Department of Education, Office of Finance and Operations (OFO), Office of Security, Facilities and Logistics Services (OSFLS) in Washington, DC. The incumbent reports to the Special Agent in-Charge via the Assistant Special Agent in-Charge. Incumbent coordinates security, communications, transportation, and logistics requirement for the Secretary of Education. Serving as a Personal Protection Specialist and assisting in the development and planning for the protection of the Secretary of Education and when appropriate, the Deputy Secretary of Education. Assisting in investigations concerning threats to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary. Coordinating official liaison activities with the United States Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Capitol Police and other federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, relating to the personal protective security operations of the Secretary and Deputy Secretary. As a Protective Service Specialist, GS-1801-12/13 (ST), GS-1801-13, you will be responsible for: Incumbent is responsible, during her/his shift for the security of the Secretary, to and from her/his residence and office, while attending events and meetings both official and personal inside and outside her/his office, while on travel within the United States and overseas, and during periods of heightened threats or federal government alert that would require continuous protection. Serving as a Personal Protection Specialist and assisting in the development and planning for the protection of the Secretary of Education and when appropriate, the Deputy Secretary of Education. Assisting in investigations concerning threats to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary. Coordinating official liaison activities with the United States Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Capitol Police and other federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, relating to the personal protective security operations of the Secretary and Deputy Secretary. Coordinating with appropriate offices/agencies to ensure that all telecommunication systems are in place to include constant secure telephone services and other electronic communication systems with the Department of Education and the White House.

Requirements

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has interagency agreements (IAAs) with other agencies to ensure efficient delivery of funded programs and activities and move closer to fulfilling the President's promise to return education to the states. Employees may receive detail assignments to these agencies in support of the IAAs. Condition of Employment: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary or trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: - your performance and conduct; - the needs and interests of the agency; - whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and - whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of 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 within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. To verify that you meet these requirements, we will review your responses to the core eligibility questions on the occupational questionnaire, as well as your submitted resume and required documents. 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). Key Requirements Relocation expenses will not be paid. Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service. You may be subject to serve a one-year probationary period. Must be a US Citizen. Pre-employment drug testing is required. Must complete a Background Investigation and Fingerprint check.

Required Documents

You must submit (REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS): - A resume demonstrating your education, experience, training, and accomplishments as it relates to the qualifications for this position and substantiating your responses to the occupational questionnaire. Please limit your resume to 2 pages with the font size no smaller than 10 points. If your resume is more than 2 pages, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed and considered for the qualifications determination. If you are a current or former federal employee (including current U.S. Department of Education employees), you must also submit: - A Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), which demonstrates your competitive status eligibility. To verify your eligibility, we will review your SF-50 to determine your tenure (block 24) and position occupied (block 34). Examples of sufficient SF-50s include appointments, promotions, within-grade increases, and pay adjustments. If you currently hold or previously held a federal position at or above the highest grade of this position or you have/had promotion potential at or above the highest grade of this position, you must also submit an SF-50 documenting your highest grade level held or promotion potential. Examples of sufficient SF-50s include appointments and promotions. - A Copy of your most recent Performance Appraisal and Awards, as applicable. Your performance appraisal and awards are requested to further assess the quality of your experience should your application be referred to the selecting official. If you are claiming eligibility under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), you must submit: - A copy of your DD-214 that shows active service and character of discharge, member copy 4 (Separated Members only); OR - A certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days from the date of application (Current Active Duty Members only); AND/OR - The Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (SF-15) AND all documents indicated on the form as proof of type of preference. If you are claiming eligibility under any Special Hiring Authority, you must submit: - Adequate proof of your eligibility (e.g., Documentation of noncompetitive eligibility as a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Documentation of noncompetitive eligibility for employment under Schedule A as a person with severe physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and intellectual disabilities.) Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP/CTAP)? If you are a current or former Federal employee who was displaced (for example, due to a Reduction-in-Force) and want priority consideration, you must submit the documents listed below. Required documents for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration (All are required): 1. Proof that you were displaced, such as Reduction-in-Force (RIF) notice or notice of proposed removal. SF-50s (Notification of Personnel Action) showing: RIF as the Nature of Action (Box 5B) Career or career-conditional status (Box 24 must be 1 or 2) Competitive status (Box 34 must be 1) Promotion potential or full performance level of the position from which you were or are being displaced. This is likely your appointment SF-50 for that position. Duty location Your most recent performance appraisal showing a rating of Fully Successful or higher. Your Federal position at the time you were displaced must be within the local commuting area for a location listed in this announcement. The definition of local commuting area varies based on duty location and hiring agency policy. To receive priority consideration, you must also be found well-qualified, which means you score 75 or higher based on this announcement's assessment rating criteria.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside about two (2) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.