Program Manager

Summary

This position is within TSA's Security Capabilities, Test & Evaluation, located at the Terrorist Improvised Explosives Detection and Synthesis Center, (TIEDS) in Huntsville, Alabama. This position performs program management and duties to include coordination and planning across multiple agencies, development of test articles, explosives characterizations, security screening equipment operation, loading and unloading baggage to support tests/demonstrations.

Duties

The incumbent serves as the senior TSA program manager and subject matter expert for TSA activities conducted at the Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center (TEDAC) Improvised Explosives Detection and Synthesis Center, (TIEDS). Duties include but are not limited to: Leads development and execution of the TIEDS Center annual planning calendar for TSA and participating organizations. Establishes project priorities, sequences work, identifies resource needs, tracks milestones and risks, and resolves scheduling conflicts. Ensures test, evaluation, training, demonstration, research, and critical-response activities are appropriately planned, integrated, supported, and aligned with TSA mission priorities. Serves as the Transportation Security Administration's principal liaison with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Federal Protective Service, national laboratories, and other federal partners. Chairs or participates in management forums, working groups, executive briefings, and recurring coordination meetings. Develops recommendations, communicates program status, resolves cross-organizational issues, and sustains partnerships supporting transportation-security capabilities. Provides programmatic oversight of TSA test areas, laboratories, and associated screening technology used for authorized test, evaluation, demonstration, training, and research activities. Coordinates equipment deployment, commissioning, acceptance, movement, calibration, preventive maintenance, removal, and logistics support. Ensures facilities and equipment are properly configured, available, maintained, and documented to support approved activities. Manages the Test Article Program and related technical-support activities, including planning, coordination, accountability, issuance, maintenance, and availability of authorized materials and test-support equipment. Advises leadership on equipment capabilities, maintenance requirements, operational limitations, and resource alternatives. Establishes reporting approaches that enable accurate collection, management, and communication of test and system-performance data. Develops, implements, and updates standard operating procedures and program practices governing test-area and laboratory operations, information protection, access control, classified-material handling, safety, and equipment accountability. Interprets applicable requirements and identifies process gaps, risks, vulnerabilities, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities. Recommends corrective actions and monitors implementation to improve program effectiveness and compliance. Represents TSA in authorized interagency threat-informed discussions and collaborative activities supporting detection and mitigation capabilities across transportation modes. Analyzes program metrics, emerging needs, and stakeholder inputs to identify capability gaps and recommend priorities. Supports approved visits, demonstrations, tours, and senior-level engagements while protecting sensitive information and maintaining effective stakeholder relationships.

Qualifications

To qualify for the SV-K Pay Band (equivalent to GS-15), you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the SV-J Pay Band or GS-14 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in state or local government or the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience is defined as: Leading and planning, integrating, coordinating, and providing operational support for interagency test, evaluation, training, research and development, and critical-response activities involving transportation security. Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: 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. Resumes must include the following: Narrative description of duties with start and end dates (including the month and year) for work experience. State the number of hours worked in a position (i.e., full-time or part-time). If part-time, state the total number of hours worked per week. Performance level (i.e., band or grade) You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Education

This position does not have a positive education requirement.

Requirements

You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National. You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI). Selective Service registration is required. Must pass pre-employment drug screening AND random drug/alcohol testing. You must complete a Tier 5 investigation. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance. If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for TSA to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.