Summary Organizational Location: These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), in Washington, District of Columbia.
Duties Help
As a Special Assistant, at the full performance level you will perform the following duties:
- Provide executive administrative support and serve as principal executive staff expert, operation analyst, and advisor to the Senior Executive Service (SES) level manager(s), or division/office chiefs on a wide range of issues related to scheduling organizational and managerial directives from SES managers and other senior leadership.
- Develop and recommend internal administrative procedures and office processes through independent review and coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
- Serve as the subject matter expert on the development and execution of administrative requirements, actively participating in guideline formulation for a complex organization.
- Manage information collection, feedback, and conducts research to obtain necessary program needs to assist managers in establishing and executing organizational directives.
- Proactively coordinate and schedule daily meetings and appointments and daily logistics related thereto for a member of OPLA's senior leadership team, including overseeing travel and itineraries, transportation to high-level meetings, and ensuring the execution of special projects and events as required.
Requirements Help
Conditions of employment - You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
- You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
- Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see
- One-year probationary period may be required.
- A pre-employment drug test will be required.
- 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.
- DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
- All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
- Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon funds availability.
- License required: No
- Pre-employment physical required: No
- Bargaining Unit Position: No
- Requirements by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Qualifications Limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic AND Minimum Qualification requirements as noted below. Minimum Qualifications for GS-12: Specialized Experience: Applicant must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-11 level in the Federal service that included experience such as:
- Prepare briefing materials for leadership to support informed decision-making on routine and emerging issues;
- Manage executive calendars and logistics to facilitate efficient scheduling and coordination of meetings;
- Support project planning activities by gathering data and tracking milestones to ensure timely execution; and
- Communicate with internal stakeholders to relay information and follow up on assigned action items.
Minimum Qualifications for GS-13: Specialized Experience: Applicant must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-12 level in the Federal service that included experience such as:
- Develop strategic briefings for senior leadership to support high-level decision-making across multiple departments;
- Coordinate interagency communications to ensure alignment on policy and operational objectives;
- Lead special projects involving cross-functional teams to address organizational priorities and improve efficiency; and
- Advise executives on administrative and operational matters to enhance organizational performance and responsiveness.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.
NOTE: 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.
Education Additional information Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.
Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet these standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully obtain and maintain a background investigation and and may require Secret Clearance as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
Pursuant to Executive Order 12564, and the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan, ICE is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions (testing designated positions) are subject to random drug testing. Moreover, other drug testing of employees (e.g., reasonable suspicion drug test) may be conducted in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. All applicants tentatively selected for employment at ICE are subject to pre-employment drug testing and a final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result.
Expand Hide additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Benefits: 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; 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.
A student loan repayment incentive may be available, in which case a service agreement will be required. Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
