Staff Director

Summary:

The position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Operations (OO)/Office of Security and Passport Operations (OSPO) and being filled under FDA’s Title 21 hiring authority. This hiring authority was passed by Congress in December 2016, to improve FDA’s ability to recruit and retain scientific, technical, and professional experts in certain occupational series that “support the development, review, and regulation of medical products.” The FY23 Omnibus Appropriations Bill expanded the hiring authority to include cross-cutting positions and individuals that support the development, review, and regulation of food and cosmetics in addition to medical products. Both statutes amended the FD&C Act 21 USC. This hiring authority is a streamlined hiring authority, outlined in 21 USC 379d-3a, as amended by the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016, § 3072 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, § 3624.

Learn More About This Agency:

Become a part of the Department that touches the lives of every American.
At the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) you can give back to your community, state, and country, by making a difference in the lives of Americans everywhere! HHS is the principal agency for protecting the health of citizens. Join HHS and help to make our world healthier, safer, and better for all Americans.

The Food and Drug Administration is the regulatory, scientific, public health, and consumer protection agency responsible for ensuring that all human and animal drugs, and medical devices are safe and effective; that cosmetics, foods, food additives, drugs and medicated feeds for food producing animals, and radiation emitting devices are safe; and that all such products marketed in the U.S. are adequately, truthfully and informatively labeled and safely and properly stored, transported, manufactured packaged and regulated.

The mission of the Office of Operations (OO) is to ensure the timely and effective delivery of high quality and cost effective mission support services across the FDA and its Centers and Offices, and coordinate emergency preparedness and response activities for incidents involving FDA-regulated products across FDA and its stakeholders.
Title 21 Band AD-E
Minimum – $163,964
Maximum – $225,011

This job is open to: Open to the Public

Hiring Path Clarification Text:

You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. Foreign nationals or legal permanent residents are not eligible for consideration. This is a 21st Century Cures Act authority announcement. Traditional federal rules regarding rating, ranking, and veterans' preference do not apply.
Duties

The Staff Director for Special Operations Staff provides authoritative and professional expertise in national security; and manages and oversees the day-to-day operational support for the execution of strategic security initiatives and operational activities for the Office of Security and Passport Operations. Supervises the activities related to the planning, development, administration, technical coordination and execution of the agency’s national security, continuity of operations (COOP) and devolution, communication security (COMSEC), and foreign visitor programs. Provides supervisory direction to a staff and managerial oversight for all Agency classified programs, information, facilities and COMSEC equipment, including collateral spaces, special access programs (SAP), sensitive compartmented information (SCI), emergency preparedness plans, continuity of essential agency operations and testing, and visitor access requests. Acts as the resident expert on all classified and SCI security matters to develop goals and objectives that integrate organizational missions and security requirements across the Agency. Manages and oversees the functions of the Special Security Officer (SSO), SCI Control Officer, COOP Program Manager, and HHS COMSEC Manager and provides subject matter specialized expertise that will integrate programs, mitigate risks, facilitate decision making, and comply with requirements. Develops, implements, and monitors sensitive compartmented information, emergency notification systems, special security policies and procedures; ensures compliance with all aspects of the classified information/national security program. Promotes a “whole of FDA” approach to Continuity and integrate a mission continuity mindset into daily activities and ensure the continuous performance of FDA’s Mission Essential Functions (MEFS). Coordinates security review of all foreign nationals and visitors requesting access to FDA facilities. Responsible for maintaining accountability and safeguarding FDA’s secured telecommunication systems and equipment. Applies a comprehensive working knowledge of intelligence support operations, to include national policies and procedures for the proper handling, use and safeguarding of classified national security information. The incumbent advises on best practices and initiate and implement the policies and procedures necessary to manage and protect resources, programs, activities, and facilities.

Provides guidance in planning and activating new programs and changes to the organizational structure or resources. Develops policies and procedures, and evaluates the need to revise program implementation while complying with security requirements applicable to Federal agencies.
Protects and accesses national security, COOP, devolution, and foreign national information that affects national security through monitoring, analyzing and designing security processes, methodologies, procedures, and systems.
Provides guidance and oversight of FDA security and COOP programs and regulations prescribed under federal law, executive orders, directives, as well as department and agency policies; organizes, obtains, and manages programmatic funding, resources, and procurements for successful implementation of security programs.
Formulates and influences agency-wide security policies; identifies organizational strategic objectives, goals, and priorities; and meets performance milestones and standards.
Liaises, consults and coordinates with agency, departmental, federal, state, and private industry officials and staff.
Represents office and agency on national security and COOP matters across committees, working groups, and task forces. Leads compliance and awareness initiatives nationwide.
Applies advanced security principles, concepts, practices, methods, and techniques through communication, information, and outreach activities.
Analyzes feasibility studies, proposals, and in-depth analyses of current requirements and forecasts trends for future needs and automated system initiatives.
Keeps abreast of changing and emerging technologies. Oversees programmatic functions of security contracts, and conducts conceptual systems analyses, evaluations, or investigations of highly unstructured and interconnected problems involving controversial and complex security resource issues and problems.
Coordinates and provides data information requests to/from internal and external clients to include coordinating key performance indicators.
Develops and presents lectures and training to headquarters and field office personnel on security policies and procedures.
Supervisory Responsibilities:

Provides leadership, direction, and full range of supervisory oversight to a multidisciplinary, cross-functional, and highly specialized workforce performing technical, professional, and administrative tasks. *Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities with consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees; Evaluates work performance of subordinates and identifies gaps; Gives advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. *Defines jobs, selects employees, and assigns work; defines technical work requirements and milestones; evaluates the organization and employee accomplishments by accepting or rejecting work products; and presents and defends organization and employees work to senior management and other offices. *Recommends employee promotions and recognition; approves leave; implements performance modifications and takes corrective actions as appropriate. *Provides equal opportunity in all Federal human capital and employment programs regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, affiliation or non-affiliation with a labor organization, political affiliation, status as a parent. *Provides employees resources and information that insures a safe and healthy work environment.

How to Apply
How to Apply: Submit resume or curriculum vitae with cover letter by the closing date as identified above to AskASecurityQuestion@fda.hhs.gov. Candidate resumes may be shared with hiring official within the office with a similar job vacancy. Candidates can opt out of this process by annotating resume with “do not share”. For questions please contact AskASecurityQuestion@fda.hhs.gov. Please reference Job Reference ID: Staff Director, SOS.