Director, Office of Safety, Security and Protection

ABOUT THE ROLE The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking a Senior Executive Service (SES) Career-Reserved Director for the Office of Safety, Security and Protection. This executive-level position holds overall responsibility for coordinating and implementing Department-wide efforts for facility, personnel security, safety, and facility emergency management. The Director will orchestrate communications across agency lines, oversee the development of security risk management plans, and direct facility emergency management and response, including the operation of a 24/7 Emergency Operations Center. The role involves high-level collaboration with the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Federal Protective Service, and local DC emergency services. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Coordinate and implement Department-wide initiatives for facility, personnel security, safety, and emergency management. - Orchestrate rapid, effective, coordinated USDA responses to situations affecting the security of facilities, property, and personnel. - Oversee, develop, and deliver training to the security, safety, protection, and emergency management workforce. - Initiate and promote activities to foster security awareness within the Department. - Oversee the development and implementation of security risk management plans and countermeasures to mitigate evolving threats and vulnerabilities. - Direct facility emergency management and response; reestablish and operate a 24/7 Emergency Operations Center (ECC). MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Candidates must possess the following Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs), demonstrated within a 2-page resume: Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs): 1. Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: Knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to the Constitution and rule of law, and civic-mindedness. 2. Driving Efficiency: Strategic resource management, fiscal responsibility, and leveraging technology for efficiency. 3. Merit and Competence: Technical competence, problem-solving, agility, and resilience to produce exceptional quality work. 4. Leading People: Ability to lead, inspire, and drive a high-performance culture; accountability and developing others. Technical Qualifications (TQs): 1. Demonstrated experience leading law enforcement, security, or protective operations programs, including directing responses to critical incidents, coordinating with stakeholders, making high-risk decisions, and implementing policies to alleviate threats. 2. Demonstrated experience leading enterprise risk management and security programs to protect personnel, facilities, and assets, including developing risk assessments, establishing countermeasures, and collaborating to address evolving threats. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. - Security Clearance: Must obtain and maintain a Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance. - Background Investigation: Required. - Drug Testing: Subject to pre-employment and random drug tests. - Financial Disclosure: Must file an Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (SF-278) within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter. - Selective Service: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered. - Probation: Initial appointments require a 1-year probationary period. SELECTION PROCESS - Resume-only application process. Separate ECQ/TQ narratives are NOT accepted. - Evaluation based on the quality and extent of accomplishments, experience, and education demonstrated in the resume. - Candidates must be certified by the OPM SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment, unless already certified or eligible for noncompetitive status. - Highly qualified applicants may undergo interviews. HOW TO APPLY - Apply online via USAJOBS (www.usajobs.gov). - Required Documents: - Complete Resume: Must be no more than 2 pages, using 0.8-inch margins and 11-point font. Must address all ECQs and TQs. - SF-50: For current/former career SES members or federal employees. - Certification Copy: For SES Candidate Development Program graduates. - Transcripts: If relying on education for qualifications. - Deadline: August 5, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. ET. - Announcement Number: OSSP-SES-2026-3356 - Control Number: 876553500 - Contact: Jocelyn Napier (Jocelyn.Napier@usda.gov) EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Employer: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Location: Washington, DC - Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time, Senior Executive Service (SES) - Work Site Options: Telework eligible (as determined by agency policy); not remote. - Travel: 25% or less. - Relocation: Expenses may be reimbursed in accordance with agency policy. - Union Representation: No. - Equal Opportunity Employer: USDA prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.