Mission Support Specialist

Summary

Organizational

Location:

Department of Homeland Security, United States Customs and Border Protection, Office of Laboratories and Scientific Services, Ashburn, VA. The position may also be considered for other organizational divisions or units within the listed duty location(s).

The Mission Support Specialist (GS‑0301‑13) provides expert administrative, management, and program planning support to leadership within CBP’s Laboratories and Scientific Services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing workforce plans, budgets, procurement, property, and related mission support functions.
• Delivering authoritative advice and developing solutions for complex, sensitive issues impacting office operations.
• Providing senior expert-level advice in an administrative specialty area and contributing to management decisions in the assigned program area.
• Offering comprehensive human capital management services on substantive organization functions and work practices.
• Advising management on budget execution against planned and forecasted operations, programs, and fiscal goals.

Salary: $ to $ (GS‑13, Step 1 to Step 10). Locality pay tables and special pay rate charts are available through the official Department of Homeland Security resources.

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Background investigation required prior to employment.
• CBP follows the DHS Drug‑Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.
• Adherence to all government ethics standards and the criminal conflict of interest statutes.
• CBP employs the E‑Verify system to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.
• Bargaining Unit:
  Not covered.

Experience:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as advisory and technical support on organizational functions, assisting senior staff with managing pay, overtime, and leave, and preparing reports and briefing supervisors and managers on budget matters.
• Experience includes paid, unpaid, and volunteer work through National Service programs and other organizations. Volunteer experience may be credited.

Additional qualifications include:

• Meeting all qualification requirements, including education if applicable, subject to verification.
• Meeting all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade).
• If currently or formerly a political appointee, disclosure of status to the Human Resources Office is required.
• Completion of background investigation with clearance of all required areas.
• Residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP: physically resided in the United States for at least three of the last five years.

Eligibility for Veterans, military spouses, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and individuals with disabilities is recognized. Documentation supporting eligibility must be provided prior to the closing date of the announcement. All applicants are subject to the standard hiring and special appointing authorities outlined by the Department of Homeland Security.

The Department of Homeland Security is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The only qualifications for this position are those required by the law or by the agency requirements.