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Diplomatic Security: Foreign Service Security Technical Specialist

U.S. Department of State
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Duties

 

Security Technical Specialists (STS) provide support for and assist in worldwide technical security programs to maintain and provide protection for Department of State personnel and facilities from technical espionage, acts of terrorism, and crime.

The duties of a Security Technical Specialist (STS) vary according to the size of the post and the requirements of the specific diplomatic mission. The following are examples of the types of duties and responsibilities assigned to an STS at posts around the world, or in domestic locations. This list is neither exhaustive, nor in priority order:

  • Install, maintain, repair, and troubleshoot a multitude of technical security systems to include alarms, access control systems, locks, vehicle arrest systems, security video systems, explosive detection systems, X-ray machines, computer networking equipment, and forced entry ballistic resistant doors.
  • Assist with and/or perform technical surveys, system specifications, and equipment installations.
  • Conduct technical security design evaluations based on government regulations and standards.
  • Prepare formal updates to architectural drawings according to government regulations and standards.
  • Apply IT best practices to monitor and troubleshoot networking equipment, workstations, servers, and applications.
  • Plan technical support trips, coordinate logistics, and travel to overseas embassies and consulates.
  • Use sophisticated electronic test equipment: oscilloscopes, time domain reflectometers, etc.
  • Manage equipment supply chain logistics– shipping, receiving, Bill-of-Materials (BOM) preparation using a Computerized Maintenance Management System.
  • Oversee and supervise the X-ray and explosive detection programs, to include repairing and performing radiation checks. Maintain/repair electro-mechanical systems using electronic test equipment.
  • Organize and maintain shops, storerooms, shop tools, equipment, parts, and supplies.
  • Work with or supervise host country personnel (locally employed staff) when required.
  • Test new-generation technical security equipment.
  • Provide technical security support to high level USG officials and foreign dignitaries.
  • Manage training programs for various technical security systems.
  • Train security personnel at posts as required.
  • Take coursework to maintain and upgrade technical skills.
  • Write technical reports, including project proposals, equipment and/or system evaluations, maintenance and/or installation activity reports, technical field notices, trip reports, and other documentation as required.
  • Assist in the project management of security contracts. Serve as Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and as Government Technical Monitor (GTM).
  • Supervise regional security technicians as assigned.
  • Mentor and supervise junior STS personnel and write employee evaluations when assigned.
  • Learn department hiring and management best practices to apply them as a supervisor or when assisting in hiring processes.

 

RequirementsConditions of Employment

  • Be a U.S. citizen and accept assignments based on the needs of the FS.*
  • Be able to obtain/maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
  • Be able to meet the minimum medical qualification standard.
  • Be able to meet the supplemental medical qualification.
  • Be able to obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination.**
  • Be at least 20 years old at application and 21 years old to be appointed.
  • Be appointed prior to age 60 (preference eligible veterans excepted).***
  • Possess and maintain a valid/current U.S. Driver’s License.

 

A physical examination of each candidate offered a position is required to ensure that the candidate meets the essential physical and medical requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the job and can meet the required minimum medical qualification standards. Candidates must have vision that is correctable to 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other, no color blindness, adequate night vision, and good peripheral vision. In addition, candidates must have good hearing with no loss of greater than 30 decibels at 500, 1000, or 2000 Hz level. The musculoskeletal system should have no deformities, diseases, or limiting conditions that would interfere with the performance of duties. The supplemental standards for the STS position can be found at under Documents Diplomatic Security Technical Specialists Supplemental Standards.

Note: The medical examination is required only after a candidate has successfully passed the written and oral assessments. It is not part of the initial application package.

 

Qualifications

 

Candidates must have at least two years of specialized experience, which demonstrates the ability to troubleshoot and repair electronic, electrical, and/or electro-mechanical systems and equipment, and is supported by work experience in this discipline.

Examples of experience include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and installation of AC power distribution systems, motor-generators.
  • Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and installation of motors, motor controls, disconnects, relays.
  • Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and installation of low voltage DC electronic systems.
  • Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and installation of low voltage DC electro-mechanical systems.
  • Use, repair, and/or calibration of electronic test equipment – meters, oscilloscopes.
  • Bench repair of electronic, electrical, and electro-mechanical equipment to the component level.
  • Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and installation of mechanical and electro-mechanical locking systems – electronic strikes, locks.
  • Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and installation of pedestrian and vehicular access control systems – door controls, vehicle barriers /arrest.
  • Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and installation of security video systems and supporting network components.
  • Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and installation of metal detectors – handheld, walk through.
  • Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and installation of radio communications systems, voice and digital communications networks.
  • Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and installation of Intrusion Detection Systems – alarms, detectors, sensors.
  • Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and installation of Public Address Systems – emergency notification systems, intercoms.
  • Troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and installation of IT workstations, network equipment, servers, and cabling (copper and fiber optics.)

Knowledge, Skills, and Other Characteristics

The Department has conducted extensive job analysis research to determine Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) and other attributes conducive to successful performance in this position. A candidate’s education level, work experience, and other qualifications will be considered as part of the hiring decision-making process based on these KSA criteria.

1. Knowledge of technology to include electronics technology, National Electrical Code (NEC), networking basics, information technology, installation practices, risk analysis techniques, basic cost analysis, basic statistical analysis, scientific method, and characteristics of materials.

2. Knowledge of security systems to include knowledge of technical security systems (TSS), current industry trends, quality assurance process, and knowledge of safety standards and practices.

3. Knowledge of the logistics process and practices.

4. Technical skills in reading and interpreting building plans, interpreting schematic diagrams and electrical drawings, performing technical surveys, and evaluating existing conditions, use of tools, various technical trades, use of fiber optics, fabricating use of computer software, and technical guidance.

5. General skills in project management, team leading, reporting, customer service, development and implementation of training programs, evaluating, rating and reviewing the performance of others, being adaptable and resilient, maintaining awareness of working environment, and self-development.

6. Superior oral and written communication skills: must consistently meet a high standard for English, both written (overall structure as well as grammar, spelling, and punctuation) and spoken (overall structure as well as delivery, clarity, and succinctness).

7. Color vision: ability to distinguish between all colors of the spectrum in order to read resistor color codes, identify colored wires, and distinguish between warning lights of different colors.

8. Other requirements: Cross-cultural awareness. Tolerance for international career: Accepting assignments based on the needs of the Foreign Service, experiencing frequent global travel, and, at times, live away from family and/or in difficult or isolated conditions.  completing orientation and initial training in Washington, D.C., employees are assigned to two sequential tours, typically two-years each, directed by the Department. These entry-level assignments may be overseas or in the United States   After the initial two tours, employees have greater choice as to the location, length, and substantive nature of assignments 

Essential Physical Requirements:

Some of the essential functions of the Security Technical Specialist (STS) job have a physically demanding component. In the execution of the duties and tasks listed above, an STS may be required to:

1. See objects that are near, far, or at night.

2. Hear speech or other sounds including sufficient sensitivity to hear sounds of low volume, or in noisy environments.

3. Speak clearly enough so others will understand, including speaking to groups.

4. Lift, push, pull, carry, climb ladders, or balance. Move heavy objects, such as crates, building materials, motor generators that may be oversized and weigh in excess of 70 lbs.

5. Manipulate small objects with hands or fingers. Perform manual installation operations to include hammer drilling, core drilling, pulling wire, installing conduit, and terminating cable.

6. Perform movements repeatedly or continually including ability to stand for extended periods, bend and stretch to reach equipment for prolonged periods, and take frequent extended trips by plane or car.

7. Exhibit the mental endurance to concentrate for long periods, learn complex information and procedures, and think effectively after extensive travel and jetlag.

8. Tolerate extreme environmental conditions, i.e., heat, cold, noise and pollution. Travel and work in hostile environments such as war zones, areas of civil and political strife, and in regions of the world having extreme climates.

9. Climb stairs, ladders, and other inclines. Work from heights to include rooftops, ledges, bucket trucks, scaffolding, and extension ladders.

10. Crawl under, around or over objects. Work in confined areas such as crawlspaces, attics, utility pits, tunnels, maintenance holes, and other confined space.

Education

 

 

At the time of application, candidate must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. 

Candidates can substitute additional educational achievements for Specialized Experience. Please see Qualifications section for Specialized Experience requirements. Please note 12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours is equivalent to one year.

For one year of Specialized Experience: One full academic year of education in any electronics or electro-mechanic specialty, or the equivalent amount of vocational, military, and/or formal job-related classroom training.

For two years of Specialized Experience: Completion of all requirements for an Associates' degree in any electronics or electro-mechanic specialty, or the equivalent of two full academic years of vocational, military, and/or formal job-related classroom training.

To substitute educational achievements for Specialized Experience, you must submit a copy of your official or unofficial university transcript(s) with your application. Education from a program or institution within the United States must be accredited at the time of program completion by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation.

Foreign Education

Foreign education acquired outside of any state of the U.S., the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or any territory or possession of the U.S. must be evaluated by a member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services (NACES or AICE) in order to be given credit towards qualification.

  • The accredited interpretation must include the summary and the foreign education transcripts.
  • Foreign education transcripts that have not been evaluated by a credential evaluation service will not be accepted and the candidacy will be terminated.

For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, please refer to the Office of Personnel Management, Foreign Education section, and the U.S. Department of Education. The U.S. Department of State neither endorses nor recommends any individual evaluation service.

OPM: www.opm.gov
U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov

Please refer to the Required Documents Section on how to submit the required educational documentation for this position