IPA Positions Available at the Science and Technology Directorate

Job Duties – Tech Center SME – Telecommunications

Introduction

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security. Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). The mission of the S&T Directorate is to develop and deliver effective and sustainable technologies and systems to anticipate, prevent, defeat and mitigate catastrophic terrorist attacks and to enhance conventional mission capabilities of other Homeland Security operational areas.  This mission is accomplished through research, development, testing, evaluation (RDT&E), as well as timely deployments of new technologies and systems. The purpose of this position is to provide expertise relevant to telecommunications, networks, and equipment in support of S&T’s Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Research program.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Coordinates and facilitates research on cutting edge techniques and methods.  Interprets and validates technical reports on telecommunications-related research, development, methods, techniques, and tools.  Facilitates laboratory projects and capabilities to research novel methods for telecommunications, networks, and equipment resilience.
2. Coordinates with experts in multiple agencies to analyze activities involving telecommunications, networks, and equipment vulnerabilities.  Provides significant technical input into policies, procedures, and technology development programs aimed at telecommunications, networks, and equipment resilience.
3. Maintains personal competence in telecommunications and networks.  Advises S&T leadership on scientific concepts, potential threats, and impacts of telecommunications, networks, and equipment vulnerabilities.  Advises leadership when progress should be encouraged, stimulated, or accelerated by the publication of technical papers or participation in industrial and academic symposia.  
4. Provides significant technical input to S&T’s RDT&E programs related to telecommunications, networks, and equipment resilience.
   • Reviews program goals and objectives of DHS component organizations and ongoing related research and development projects to assess potentially fruitful areas for new and additional research and development projects.  
   • Identifies gaps, deficiencies, and requirements for new research and development efforts. 
   • Determines technical requirements and feasibility of proposed projects and amounts appropriate for investment of Homeland Security funds, and coordinates when appropriate to determine availability of additional funding from other Federal agencies and partners. 
   • Through reviews of research and technical literature and databases, and individual and group contacts in academia, scientific conferences, universities, high tech industries and professional associations, acquires knowledge of research and development capabilities and promotes efforts to develop projects to match customer needs with research and development capabilities of research institutes and other entities. 
   • Coordinates telecommunications-related research and development activities with other S&T Divisions, and with other agencies to assure efforts reflect Homeland Security objectives and priorities and include new and emerging threats and technologies. Contacts are with individual research scientists, representatives of universities and research institutes, state and local authorities, and international government representatives.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Controls

This position will report to the Technology Centers Division, Innovative Systems Branch.  The Deputy Innovative Systems Branch Lead will be responsible for providing day-to-day supervision, direction, review, and evaluation of the incumbent’s performance.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

This position may be asked to review technical and policy recommendations related to assessing the security and resilience of critical infrastructure systems and interdependent critical infrastructures (ICls) requiring access to classified information sources including those within DHS and other partner organizations.

This position has been designated as SPECIAL-SENSITIVE and requires a security clearance at the TOP SECRET level with special access to secret compartmentalized information (SCI), as the individual will be required to access, process, use, and safeguard classified information. The employee is required to obtain and maintain this clearance level and failure to do so may result in separation from federal service.

Job Duties – Tech Center SME – Behavioral Science

Introduction

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security. Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). The mission of the S&T Directorate is to develop and deliver effective and sustainable technologies and systems to anticipate, prevent, defeat and mitigate catastrophic terrorist attacks and to enhance conventional mission capabilities of other Homeland Security operational areas.  This mission is accomplished through research, development, testing, evaluation (RDT&E), as well as timely deployments of new technologies and systems. The purpose of this position is to provide expertise relevant to behavioral science in support of S&T’s Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Research program.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Coordinates and facilitates research on cutting edge techniques and methods.  Interprets and validates technical reports on behavioral science-related research, development, methods, techniques, and tools.  Facilitates laboratory projects and capabilities to research novel methods for preventing and countering malign actors, with an emphasis on those carrying out acts of terrorism or targeted violence.
2. Coordinates with experts in multiple agencies to analyze activities involving behavioral science.  Provides significant technical input into policies, procedures, and technology development programs aimed at preventing violent behavior.
3. Maintains personal competence in behavioral science.  Advises S&T leadership on scientific concepts of behavioral science.  Advises leadership when progress should be encouraged, stimulated, or accelerated by the publication of technical papers or participation in industrial and academic symposia.   
4. Provides significant technical input to S&T’s RDT&E programs founded on behavioral science concepts.
   • Reviews program goals and objectives of DHS component organizations and ongoing related research and development projects to assess potentially fruitful areas for new and additional research and development projects.   
   • Identifies gaps, deficiencies, and requirements for new research and development efforts. 
   • Determines technical requirements and feasibility of proposed projects and amounts appropriate for investment of Homeland Security funds, and coordinates when appropriate to determine availability of additional funding from other Federal agencies and partners. 
   • Through reviews of research and technical literature and databases, and individual and group contacts in academia, scientific conferences, universities, high tech industries and professional associations, acquires knowledge of research and development capabilities and promotes efforts to develop projects to match customer needs with research and development capabilities of research institutes and other entities. 
   • Coordinates behavioral science-related research and development activities with other S&T Divisions, and with other agencies to assure efforts reflect Homeland Security objectives and priorities and include new and emerging threats and technologies. Contacts are with individual research scientists, representatives of universities and research institutes, state and local authorities, and international government representatives.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Controls

This position will report to the Technology Centers Division, Enduring Sciences Branch.  The Deputy Enduring Sciences Branch Lead will be responsible for providing day-to-day supervision, direction, review, and evaluation of the incumbent’s performance.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

This position may be asked to review technical and policy recommendations related to assessing the security and resilience of critical infrastructure systems and interdependent critical infrastructures (ICls) requiring access to classified information sources including those within DHS and other partner organizations.

This position requires a security clearance at the SECRET level, as the individual will be required to access, process, use, and safeguard classified information. The employee is required to obtain and maintain this clearance level and failure to do so may result in separation from federal service.

Job Duties – Tech Center SME – Electromagnetic Pulse/Geomagnetic Disturbance

Introduction

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security. Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). The mission of the S&T Directorate is to develop and deliver effective and sustainable technologies and systems to anticipate, prevent, defeat and mitigate catastrophic terrorist attacks and to enhance conventional mission capabilities of other Homeland Security operational areas.  This mission is accomplished through research, development, testing, evaluation (RDT&E), as well as timely deployments of new technologies and systems. The purpose of this position is to provide expertise relevant to electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) in support of S&T’s Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Research program.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Coordinates and facilitates research on cutting edge techniques and methods.  Interprets and validates technical reports on EMP/GMD-related research, development, methods, techniques, and tools.  Facilitates laboratory projects and capabilities to research novel methods for EMP/GMD hardening.
2. Coordinates with experts in multiple agencies to analyze activities involving EMP/GMD modeling and assessments; testing and validation; and mitigation.  Provides significant technical input into policies, procedures, and technology development programs aimed at improving the resilience of critical infrastructure systems, network, and assets to the effects of EMPs and GMDs.
3. Maintains personal competence in EMP/GMD.  Advises S&T leadership on scientific concepts, potential threats, and impacts of EMP/GMD.  Advises leadership when progress should be encouraged, stimulated, or accelerated by the publication of technical papers or participation in industrial and academic symposia.   
4. Provides significant technical input to S&T’s RDT&E programs related to EMP/GMD.
   • Reviews program goals and objectives of DHS component organizations and ongoing related research and development projects to assess potentially fruitful areas for new and additional research and development projects.   
   • Identifies gaps, deficiencies, and requirements for new research and development efforts. 
   • Determines technical requirements and feasibility of proposed projects and amounts appropriate for investment of Homeland Security funds, and coordinates when appropriate to determine availability of additional funding from other Federal agencies and partners. 
   • Through reviews of research and technical literature and databases, and individual and group contacts in academia, scientific conferences, universities, high tech industries and professional associations, acquires knowledge of research and development capabilities and promotes efforts to develop projects to match customer needs with research and development capabilities of research institutes and other entities. 
   • Coordinates EMP/GMD-related research and development activities with other S&T Divisions, and with other agencies to assure efforts reflect Homeland Security objectives and priorities and include new and emerging threats and technologies. Contacts are with individual research scientists, representatives of universities and research institutes, state and local authorities, and international government representatives.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Controls

This position will report to the Technology Centers Division, Innovative Systems Branch.  The Deputy Innovative Systems Branch Lead will be responsible for providing day-to-day supervision, direction, review, and evaluation of the incumbent’s performance.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

This position may be asked to review technical and policy recommendations related to assessing the security and resilience of critical infrastructure systems and interdependent critical infrastructures (ICls) requiring access to classified information sources including those within DHS and other partner organizations.

This position has been designated as SPECIAL-SENSITIVE and requires a security clearance at the TOP SECRET level with special access to secret compartmentalized information (SCI), as the individual will be required to access, process, use, and safeguard classified information. The employee is required to obtain and maintain this clearance level and failure to do so may result in separation from federal service.

Job Duties – Tech Center SME – Position/Navigation/Timing

Introduction

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security. Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). The mission of the S&T Directorate is to develop and deliver effective and sustainable technologies and systems to anticipate, prevent, defeat and mitigate catastrophic terrorist attacks and to enhance conventional mission capabilities of other Homeland Security operational areas.  This mission is accomplished through research, development, testing, evaluation (RDT&E), as well as timely deployments of new technologies and systems. The purpose of this position is to provide expertise relevant to position, navigation, and timing systems in support of S&T’s Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Research program.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provides significant technical input to S&T’s RDT&E programs related to position, navigation, and timing systems.
   • Provide technical direction for projects and underlying activities, including definition of the scope of research efforts and oversight of technical approaches.
   • Based on strategic goals, derive and communicate tactical objectives for project work to cross-matrixed team while managing technical team during execution of work.
   • Provide oversight, monitoring, and reporting of technical progress on work activities.
   • Reviews program goals and objectives of DHS component organizations and ongoing related research and development projects to assess potentially fruitful areas for new and additional research and development projects.  
   • Identifies gaps, deficiencies, and requirements for new research and development efforts. 
   • Determines technical requirements and feasibility of proposed projects and amounts appropriate for investment of Homeland Security funds, and coordinates when appropriate to determine availability of additional funding from other Federal agencies and partners. 
   • Through reviews of research and technical literature and databases, and individual and group contacts in academia, scientific conferences, universities, high tech industries and professional associations, acquires knowledge of research and development capabilities and promotes efforts to develop projects to match customer needs with research and development capabilities of research institutes and other entities. 
   • Coordinates position, navigation, and timing-related research and development activities with other S&T Divisions, and with other agencies to assure efforts reflect Homeland Security objectives and priorities and include new and emerging threats and technologies. Contacts are with individual research scientists, representatives of universities and research institutes, state and local authorities, and international government representatives.
2. Coordinates and facilitates research on cutting edge techniques and methods.  Interprets and validates technical reports on position, navigation, and timing systems -related research, development, methods, techniques, and tools.  Facilitates laboratory projects and capabilities to research novel methods for position, navigation, and timing.
3. Coordinates with experts in multiple agencies to analyze activities involving position, navigation, and timing systems.  Provides significant technical input into policies, procedures, and technology development programs aimed at position, navigation, and timing systems.
4. Maintains personal competence in position, navigation, and timing systems.  Advises S&T leadership on scientific concepts, potential threats, and impacts of position, navigation, and timing systems.  Advises leadership when progress should be encouraged, stimulated, or accelerated by the publication of technical papers or participation in industrial and academic symposia.   
5. Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Controls

This position will report to the Technology Centers Division, Innovative Systems Branch.  The Deputy Innovative Systems Branch Lead will be responsible for providing day-to-day supervision, direction, review, and evaluation of the incumbent’s performance.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

This position may be asked to review technical and policy recommendations related to assessing the security and resilience of critical infrastructure systems and interdependent critical infrastructures (ICls) requiring access to classified information sources including those within DHS and other partner organizations.

This position has been designated as SPECIAL-SENSITIVE and requires a security clearance at the TOP SECRET level with special access to secret compartmentalized information (SCI), as the individual will be required to access, process, use, and safeguard classified information. The employee is required to obtain and maintain this clearance level and failure to do so may result in separation from federal service.

Job Duties – Tech Center SME – Risk Sciences

Introduction

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security. Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). The mission of the S&T Directorate is to develop and deliver effective and sustainable technologies and systems to anticipate, prevent, defeat and mitigate catastrophic terrorist attacks and to enhance conventional mission capabilities of other Homeland Security operational areas.  This mission is accomplished through research, development, testing, evaluation (RDT&E), as well as timely deployments of new technologies and systems. The purpose of this position is to provide expertise relevant to risk sciences in support of S&T’s Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Research program.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Coordinates and facilitates research on cutting edge techniques and methods.  Interprets and validates technical reports on risk-related research, development, methods, techniques, and tools.  Facilitates laboratory projects and capabilities to research novel methods for risk identification, determination, optimization, and reduction.
2. Coordinates with experts in multiple agencies to analyze activities involving risk sciences.  Provides significant technical input into policies, procedures, and technology development programs aimed at risk identification, determination, optimization, and reduction.
3. Maintains personal competence in risk sciences.  Advises S&T leadership on scientific concepts of risk.  Advises leadership when progress should be encouraged, stimulated, or accelerated by the publication of technical papers or participation in industrial and academic symposia.   
4. Provides significant technical input to S&T’s RDT&E programs founded on risk sciences.
   • Reviews program goals and objectives of DHS component organizations and ongoing related research and development projects to assess potentially fruitful areas for new and additional research and development projects.   
   • Identifies gaps, deficiencies, and requirements for new research and development efforts. 
   • Determines technical requirements and feasibility of proposed projects and amounts appropriate for investment of Homeland Security funds, and coordinates when appropriate to determine availability of additional funding from other Federal agencies and partners. 
   • Through reviews of research and technical literature and databases, and individual and group contacts in academia, scientific conferences, universities, high tech industries and professional associations, acquires knowledge of research and development capabilities and promotes efforts to develop projects to match customer needs with research and development capabilities of research institutes and other entities. 
   • Coordinates risk-related research and development activities with other S&T Divisions, and with other agencies to assure efforts reflect Homeland Security objectives and priorities and include new and emerging threats and technologies. Contacts are with individual research scientists, representatives of universities and research institutes, state and local authorities, and international government representatives.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Controls

This position will report to the Technology Centers Division, Enduring Sciences Branch.  The Deputy Enduring Sciences Branch Lead will be responsible for providing day-to-day supervision, direction, review, and evaluation of the incumbent’s performance.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

This position may be asked to review technical and policy recommendations related to assessing the security and resilience of critical infrastructure systems and interdependent critical infrastructures (ICls) requiring access to classified information sources including those within DHS and other partner organizations.

This position requires a security clearance at the SECRET level, as the individual may be required to access, process, use, and safeguard classified information. The employee is required to obtain and maintain this clearance level and failure to do so may result in separation from federal service.

Job Duties – Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity SME

Introduction

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security. Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). The mission of the S&T Directorate is to develop and deliver effective and sustainable technologies and systems to anticipate, prevent, defeat and mitigate catastrophic terrorist attacks and to enhance conventional mission capabilities of other Homeland Security operational areas.  This mission is accomplished through research, development, testing, evaluation (RDT&E), as well as timely deployments of new technologies and systems. The purpose of this position is to provide industrial control system cybersecurity expertise in support of S&T’s RDT&E efforts.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Coordinates and facilitates research on cutting edge cybersecurity techniques and methods.  Interprets and validates technical reports on industrial control systems cybersecurity-related research, development, methods, techniques, and tools.  Facilitates laboratory projects and capabilities to research novel methods for the prevention, protection, detection, and defense of operational technology networks and systems.
2. Coordinates with experts in multiple agencies to analyze activities involving malicious cybersecurity attacks, including methods and technique to successfully infiltrate information and operations networks.  Provides significant technical input into policies, procedures, and technology development programs aimed at minimizing risks of industrial control systems and their processes.
3. Maintains personal competence in cybersecurity.  Advises S&T leadership on scientific concepts, potential threats, and impacts of cyber-attacks on industrial control systems.  Advises leadership when progress should be encouraged, stimulated, or accelerated by the publication of technical papers or participation in industrial and academic symposia.   
4. Provides significant technical input to S&T’s RDT&E programs related to industrial control system cybersecurity.
   • Reviews program goals and objectives of DHS component organizations and ongoing related research and development projects to assess potentially fruitful areas for new and additional research and development projects.   
   • Identifies gaps, deficiencies, and requirements for new research and development efforts. 
   • Determines technical requirements and feasibility of proposed projects and amounts appropriate for investment of Homeland Security funds, and coordinates when appropriate to determine availability of additional funding from other Federal agencies and partners. 
   • Through reviews of research and technical literature and databases, and individual and group contacts in academia, scientific conferences, universities, high tech industries and professional associations, acquires knowledge of research and development capabilities and promotes efforts to develop projects to match customer needs with research and development capabilities of research institutes and other entities. 
   • Coordinates industrial control systems cybersecurity -related research and development activities with other S&T Divisions, and with other agencies to assure efforts reflect Homeland Security objectives and priorities and include new and emerging threats and technologies. Contacts are with individual research scientists, representatives of universities and research institutes, state and local authorities, and international government representatives.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

The incumbent provides review of technical and policy recommendations related to assessing the security and resilience of critical infrastructure systems and interdependent critical infrastructures (ICls) requiring access to classified information sources including those within DHS and other partner organizations.

This position has been designated as SPECIAL-SENSITIVE and requires a security clearance at the TOP SECRET level with special access to secret compartmentalized information (SCI), as the individual will be required to access, process, use, and safeguard classified information. The employee is required to obtain and maintain this clearance level and failure to do so may result in separation from federal service.

Job Duties – Open-Source Software Security SME

Introduction

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security. Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). The mission of the S&T Directorate is to develop and deliver effective and sustainable technologies and systems to anticipate, prevent, defeat and mitigate catastrophic terrorist attacks and to enhance conventional mission capabilities of other Homeland Security operational areas.  This mission is accomplished through research, development, testing, evaluation (RDT&E), as well as timely deployments of new technologies and systems. The purpose of this position is to provide software security expertise in support of S&T’s RDT&E efforts.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Coordinates and facilitates research on cutting edge cybersecurity techniques and methods.  Interprets and validates technical reports on software security-related research, development, methods, techniques, and tools.  Facilitates laboratory projects and capabilities to research novel methods for the prevention, protection, detection, and defense of software/firmware codes.
2. Coordinates with experts in multiple agencies to analyze activities involving malicious cybersecurity attacks, including methods and techniques to exploit software/firmware development and delivery processes.  Provides significant technical input into policies, procedures, and technology development programs aimed at countering cybersecurity threats presented in software/firmware.
3. Maintains personal competence in software security.  Advises S&T leadership on scientific concepts, potential threats, and impacts of cyber attacks against the different stages of the software development lifecycle.  Advises leadership when progress should be encouraged, stimulated, or accelerated by the publication of technical papers or participation in industrial and academic symposia.   
4. Provides significant technical input to S&T’s RDT&E programs related to software security.
   • Reviews program goals and objectives of DHS component organizations and ongoing related research and development projects to assess potentially fruitful areas for new and additional research and development projects.   
   • Identifies gaps, deficiencies, and requirements for new research and development efforts. 
   • Determines technical requirements and feasibility of proposed projects and amounts appropriate for investment of Homeland Security funds, and coordinates when appropriate to determine availability of additional funding from other Federal agencies and partners. 
   • Through reviews of research and technical literature and databases, and individual and group contacts in academia, scientific conferences, universities, high tech industries and professional associations, acquires knowledge of research and development capabilities and promotes efforts to develop projects to match customer needs with research and development capabilities of research institutes and other entities. 
   • Coordinates software/firmware cybersecurity -related research and development activities with other S&T Divisions, and with other agencies to assure efforts reflect Homeland Security objectives and priorities and include new and emerging threats and technologies. Contacts are with individual research scientists, representatives of universities and research institutes, state and local authorities, and international government representatives.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

The incumbent provides review of technical and policy recommendations related to assessing the security and resilience of critical infrastructure systems and interdependent critical infrastructures (ICls) requiring access to classified information sources including those within DHS and other partner organizations.

This position has been designated as SPECIAL-SENSITIVE and requires a security clearance at the TOP SECRET level with special access to secret compartmentalized information (SCI), as the individual will be required to access, process, use, and safeguard classified information. The employee is required to obtain and maintain this clearance level and failure to do so may result in separation from federal service.

Job Duties – Critical infrastructure Security & Resilience Research (CISRR)

Program Manager

The Program Manager will manage several projects/activities under the assigned program and coordinate the activities of a matrixed program team, working closely with the assigned Technical Advisor from S&T’s Technology Centers Division and following S&T’s approved Business Process Flow.  Subject matter knowledge of the assigned CISRR Topic area is desired.

CISRR Topic Areas:

• Electromagnetic Pulse/Geomagnetic Disturbance (1 Position)
• Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (1 Position)
• Soft Targets – Crowded Places (1 Position)
• Industrial Control Systems (1 Position)
• Open-Source Software (1 Position)

Primary duties include, but are not limited to:

• Overseeing the planning, execution and governance of programs and their related projects to meet CISRR program requirements and the successful delivery of the program's output/product.  This includes program initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, controlling, and close-out.
• Developing goals, policies, and objectives to develop technologies, systems, and methodologies for the Department of Homeland Security's CISRR mission.
• Supporting Portfolio Manager and Senior PM with transition plans and delivery to S&T customers.
• Developing integrated strategic plans delineating contracting strategies, key risk areas, and metrics to measure cost, schedule, and performance for assigned program.
• Applying financial management principles and cost benefit analyses to manage program budgets and track expenses.
• Applying Federal Acquisition Regulations to implement plans consistent with financial resources and requirements for procurement.
• Directing and conducting cost analyses for projected activities to optimize use of resources and for budget planning purposes.
• Monitoring and tracking expenditures and utilization of funds and initiating or undertaking reprogramming actions to meet modified financial conditions and requirements for new and modified CISRR projects.
• Performing long-range program planning of resource requirements to meet program needs, enhance program accomplishments, and comply with regulatory and policy requirements.
• Overseeing and managing the annual budgets reflecting program costs and priorities, and associated information for justifications, presentation, and testimony for CISRR Senior PM, Executive Sponsor, and Executive Board.
• Holding periodic reviews with performers to monitor and track task execution.
• Delivering oral and written recommendation reports to coordinate planning needs and justify requirements.
• Leading strategic senior-level leadership working groups within Department of Homeland Security and across the federal government, private sector, and international environments.
• Coordinating with representatives of the Directorate, other components of the Department, and involved agencies and customers to obtain current information for the development and implementation of plans for science and technology research programs to match customer needs, and resolving outstanding, complex programmatic issues or requirements for capability enhancements.
• Leading a matrix team to identify, engage, and recruit relevant S&T resources.
• Developing concept plans, scopes of work, schedules, work breakdown structures, milestones, and funding requirements.
• Identifying program, project, and activity risks and risk mitigation strategies related to program and project activities.
• Identifying program, project, and activity changes to facilitate projects, enhance cost-effectiveness, and optimize fulfillment of customer needs.
• Monitoring ongoing projects for compliance with milestones and schedules and for identification and resolution of problems or issues of negative impact on successful project completion.
• Developing a Program Management Plan for CISRR topic-specific activities.
• Performing other duties as assigned.