The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) impacts strategic and current mission execution within DHS Components with technically sound, innovative, solutions, and independent analysis. The Chief Scientist has the following responsibilities:
- Oversee development and implementation of sound governance policies and validates their implementation in the strategic interest of homeland security.
- Develop and execute data-driven analytic strategies to support decision making within DHS and S&T.
- Respond to critical priorities and events to clearly inform homeland security leadership with timely evaluation and/or capability delivery.
- Maintain the S&T strategic plan and execute strategic studies that anticipate and plan for disruptive events, threats, and technical opportunities.
- Oversee development and ensure delivery of novel, non-traditional, and scientifically sound capabilities for selected high mission priority to the Homeland Security Enterprise.
OCS has the following sub-offices each with responsibilities designed to support the Chief Scientist, DHS S&T, and DHS:
- Decision Support Analytics – Develops and executes analytic strategies to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and/or timeliness of decision making within S&T.
- Rapid Response Group – Quickly assesses acute homeland security situations and provide scientific engineering advice, evaluation, or quickly deployed prototype system capabilities to help return to a normal or to achieve enhanced state of operations.
- Strategic Planning – Serves as the strategic S&T governance advisor and maintains an actionable strategic plan in support of S&T priorities. Provides science, engineering, coordination and strategic planning support for the resolution of pop-up events (e.g., unexpected, high-priority tasks) on behalf of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology. Conducts research and studies to help to reduce surprise and reactionary decision making during disruptive events, threats, and opportunities.
- Special Projects Office – Establishes and manages sound governance infrastructure of very sensitive, high-priority projects.