Archive for category Government Work

Haiti: Food Convoy Attacked; U.N. Warns Of Volatility

Feb 2

Posted by Matt in Disaster Response, Government Work, Haiti | 3 Comments

   Folks are just going to get more angry and frustrated as this continues, and that is expected.  But to me, this looks more like an outcome of individuals taking advantage of a weakened state.  They could be part of the crew that escaped from the prison during the quake, and no doubt they will do what they can to take advantage.

   In other news, there is a new weapons policy for government guys heading to Haiti for work.  Check it out here. -Matt

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Haiti food convoy attacked; UN warns of volatility

By PAISLEY DODDS, Associated Press Writer Paisley Dodds,

February 2, 2010

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Twenty armed men blocked a road and tried to hijack a convoy of food for earthquake victims, but were driven off by police gunfire, U.N. officials said Tuesday.

The attack on the convoy as it carried supplies from an airport in the southern town of Jeremie underscored what the United Nations calls a “potentially volatile” security situation as frustration has grown at the slow pace of aid since the Jan. 12 earthquake.

Most quake victims are still living outside in squalid tents of sheets and sticks and aid officials acknowedge they have not yet gotten food to the majority of those in need. Mobs have stolen food and looted goods from their neighbors in the camps, prompting many to band together or stay awake at night to prevent raids.

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Jobs: Armed Driver, Iraq

Jan 4

Posted by Matt in Government Work, Iraq, Jobs | No Comments

   This is a pretty low keyed position and is government work.  With that said, overtime and hazardous duty pay are your friend with these kinds of jobs.  It sounds like a basic armed driver position, just hauling DoD folks around to where they need to go. I am not the POC or recruiter, and follow the links and emails below in order to apply.  Good luck. -Matt

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Jobs: Armed Driver, Iraq

Department:Department Of Defense

Agency:Office of the Secretary of Defense

Sub Agency:CPMS

Job Announcement Number:00091540

Job Title:VISIT COORD CELL DRIVER

Salary Range:41,210.00 – 227,300.00 USD per year

Night differential, hazardous duty pay, post differential, premium pay, sunday pay, mandatory overtime, holiday pay, etc.

Series & Grade:GS-0083,2102,0085-07/15

Open Period:Wednesday, August 12, 2009 to Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Position Information:Full-Time with high probability of OT, night, and holiday work  Detail not to exceed 1 year.  In special cases, HIGHLY QUALIFIED candidates outside of the DoD civilian workforce will be considered, based on funding availability, for Term limited appointments.

Duty Locations:

1 vacancy – Baghdad, Iraq

Who May Be Considered:

Applications will be accepted from United States citizens and nationals.  First preference is given to current DoD civilians.  If funding is available, in limited cases term limited positions may be available for outside hires.

Job Summary:

“Looking for a Job with a present and a future? Join the Department of Defense civilian workforce and take advantage of an extraordinary opportunity to serve your country. With more than 750,000 civilian employees in 700 occupations, the Department of Defense offers you outstanding career choices in support of America’s defense.”

The Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Civilian Personnel Policy) has been designated by Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) as the lead in expanding the opportunities for Department of Defense (DoD) civilians to fill Global expeditionary augmentation requirements. As result of this initiative we have received from the Joint Staff, a list of requirements for DoD Civilian Volunteers to serve. These opportunities are on Joint Task Force Headquarters staffs, supporting operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations worldwide.

Please note that positions currently advertised have no opening or closing dates. Announcements of positions hinge only on the status of their availability. Available positions will continue to be posted on the CEW website until filled. Applicants should understand that position availability may change rapidly. For this reason, applicants are encouraged to apply without delay.First preference on these positions are given to current, permanent DoD civilians.  These positions may be filled via TDY/PCS with return rights back to your home organization after your deployment time ends.  You will keep your current grade and pay, but will be available for all applicable premium pays (Hazardous Duty, Danger Pay, Post-Differential, Sunday and Holiday Pay, etc). Read the rest of this entry »

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Legal News: Omnibus Bill FY 2010–Embassy and Worldwide Security Protection Stuff

Dec 14

Posted by Matt in Afghanistan, Government Work, Iraq, Legal News | No Comments

     I found this over at Diplopundit, which is a great blog that tracks this stuff.  They basically broke down the bill as to the budget amounts and any new amendments.  I especially clued into the latest budgetary figures, increases in new security positions, and the latest ‘best value’ contracting mechanism that State has. They even mention the Kabul Fiasco specifically, as a reason for the amendment.  Check it out. -Matt

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From Diplopundit:

Worldwide Security Protection

The conference agreement provides $1,586,214,000 for Worldwide Security Protection, which is $8,787,000 above the House and $8,786,000 below the Senate. The conferees note that $13,375,000 requested for fiscal year 2010 was included in the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-32), bringing the total available for Worldwide Security Protection in fiscal year 2010 to $1,599,589,000. Within the amount provided, $221,926,000, and a projected 200 security positions, are to strengthen the Department’s capacity to respond to the growing security challenges at posts around the world, including the requested positions for the second year of the Visa and Passport Security Plan.

Embassy Security Constructions and Maintenance

The conference agreement provides $1,724,150,000 for Embassy Security, Construction, and Maintenance, which is the same as the House and Senate, of which $847,300,000 is for priority worldwide security upgrades, acquisition, and construction and $876,850,000 is for other operations, maintenance and construction.

The following provisions are new, modified from the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-8), or further clarified in this joint statement.

Sec. 7006. Local Guard Contracts.

The conference agreement includes a new provision which allows the Secretary of State flexibility to award local guard contracts on the basis of either lowest price that is technically acceptable or the best value cost-technical tradeoff (as defined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation part 15.101) when awarding such contracts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.

Current law requires that all local guard contracts must be awarded on the basis of the lowest price that is technically acceptable, and if other factors had been considered, the problems reported earlier this year involving the local guard contract in Kabul, Afghanistan may have been prevented. The conferees understand that providing the Secretary with authority to make awards through the best value approach can enhance the guard force’s effectiveness and justify the additional cost, particularly in countries with dangerous or hostile environments.

Check out Diplopundit here.

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Jobs: Security Specialist (Executive Protection), Washington DC

Jun 16

Posted by Matt in Executive Protection, Government Work, Jobs, Washington DC | No Comments

Jobs: Security Specialist (Executive Protection), Washington DC

Locations: WASHINGTON, DC

Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Department: Executive Office of the President Agency: Office of the US Trade Representative

Job Announcement Number: USTR-09-17-PZ

Security Specialist

Salary Range: 50,408.00 – 79,280.00 USD /year

Vacancy No.  USTR-09-17-PZ  

Department  Office of the US Trade Representative

Salary $50,408.00 to $79,280.00 

Grade 09 to 11

Perm/Temp Permanent 

FT/PT Full-time

Open Date 6/12/2009 

Close Date 6/25/2009

Job Link Application instruction listed in job description 

Who may apply Public

Open Period: Friday, June 12, 2009

to Thursday, June 25, 2009

Series & Grade: GS-0080-09/11

Position Information: Full-Time  Permanent

Promotion Potential: 11

Duty Locations: 001 vacancies – Washington, DC

Who May Be Considered:

Applications will be accepted from US Citizens, from current and former competitive service Federal employees, and people eligible under special hiring authorities.

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Industry Talk: Pentagon Seeks to Dump Contractors for 30,000 New Workers

Apr 6

Posted by Matt in Government Work, Industry Talk | No Comments

  Cool.  More jobs for folks.  The key now, is for the government to be able to hang on to these new civil servants, or suffer the same fate as the poor companies that treat their people like crap or have poor management.  And if the government does not pay a fair wage for these positions, then they will have a tough time filling some of this stuff.  But like I said, this is great news for those that need jobs.

   As for the war related jobs, I just don’t see a major shift.  In fact, security contractors will probably be in more of a demand, as the war expands in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Africa, as well as maintains itself in Iraq over the coming years.  -Matt

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Pentagon seeks to dump contractors for 30,000 new workers

By Christopher Hinton

Last update: 4:02 p.m. EDT April 6, 2009

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — The Pentagon wants to hire 13,000 new civil sernvants in 2010, with plans to hire as many as 30,000 new workers over the next five years, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said Monday. “Under this budget request, we will reduce the number of support service contractors from our current 39% of the workforce to the pre-2001 level of 26%, and replace them with full-time government employees,” Gates said. Military suppliers have seen a windfall of contracts from the military since 2001 to provide services such as security, translation, logistics, and technical training. 

Story Here

 

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Industry Talk: What is this DoS Security Protective Specialist All About?

Feb 9

Posted by Matt in Government Work, Industry Talk, Jobs | 5 Comments

 

     This is interesting, and certainly active on the forums.  What is this new position with DoS all about?  Well, I will tell you my personal opinion on it all.  Secretary Clinton needs us for the mission of protecting her people, but she really doesn’t like using private industry to do this.  So this is the next best thing.  You are basically a contractor that answers directly to the Foreign Service, as opposed to working for the Foreign Service through a full service company like Blackwater.  

     The crucial aspect of this, is that you will have to pass their 13 week DSTC academy, and then you can be called up and used for overseas stuff.  The caveat in this, is that you now have to answer to federal government management and structure.  Although some might look at that as a positive deal, because at least there are some protections in the government to make managers do what they are supposed to do.(EEO, Whistleblower Act, etc.)  But like most government, most managers are very good at working the system, and the strength of the checks and balances is questionable. Especially in a highly public incident that isn’t clear cut, kind of like the Nisour Square deal in Iraq.  And judging how DoS has treated that incident and Blackwater, I am not too confident on how they would treat contractors working directly for them. In forest fire fighting, I have seen management throw their people under the bus, to avoid getting involved and doing the right thing of protecting that employee.  

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Government Work: New DS Position–Security Protection Specialist for OCONUS

Feb 7

Posted by Matt in Government Work | 1 Comment

New DS Position

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security will soon announce a challenging new employment opportunity! The position may be posted the week of February 9, 2009.

The Security Protective Specialist (SPS) position will be advertised at the FP-3 and FP-4 levels for service at high threat posts overseas, to include Iraq and Afghanistan. These positions will be Limited Non-Career Appointments which are annually renewable to a maximum of 5 years.

SPS functions will be primarily focused on the protection of U.S. officials by augmenting DS Special Agents in protective operations and providing oversight to security contract personnel. Persons with current or recent experience in PSD operations, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, will be encouraged to apply.

Additional information will be forthcoming. Please watch this space for updates and once the position description is announced, you may access it through www.usajobs.opm.gov.

Story Here

Pay Scale for Job Here 

Edit:  The pay scale at OPM is old, I put up a newer one from State.  Just re-click the link. 

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Government Work: FBI Launches Largest Hiring Blitz in it’s History

Jan 6

Posted by Matt in Government Work | No Comments

FBI plans large hiring blitz of agents, experts

Mon Jan 5, 2009 5:15pm EST

By James Vicini

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Wanted by the FBI: agents, language specialists, computer experts, intelligence analysts and finance experts.

The FBI said on Monday it had launched one of the largest hiring blitzes in its 100-year history involving 2,100 professional staff vacancies and 850 special agents aimed at filling its most critical vacancies.

The agency, which seeks to protect the United States from terrorist attack, fight crime and catch spies, among other duties, said it currently has more than 12,800 agents and about 18,400 other employees.

Since the Sept 11, 2001, attacks, the FBI has been criticized for not having enough employees fluent in foreign languages and for not moving fast enough to upgrade its computer system.

FBI Assistant Director John Raucci of the Human Resources division said the federal law enforcement agency is seeking to bring more people on board with skills in critical areas, especially language fluency and computer science.

“We’re also looking for professionals in a wide variety of fields who have a deep desire to help protect our nation from terrorists, spies, and others who wish us harm,” Raucci said.

He said the FBI, which has been investigating corporate wrongdoing in connection with the current financial crisis, also needs finance and accounting experts, along with those skilled in physical surveillance and various other employees.

The hiring initiative for FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., and for its field offices would replace departed staff and add some employees, officials said. (Reporting by James Vicini, Editing by Jackie Frank)

Story Here

Start Here to Apply at the FBI

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Government Work: Civilian Response Corps

Dec 18

Posted by Matt in Government Work | No Comments

Introduction to the Civilian Response Corps

The challenges of the 21st century require a significant increase in our capacity to respond quickly and effectively to emerging threats that unstable states present to the security of the United States and to our friends and allies.

Civilian Response Corps (CRC) members develop and implement a “Whole of Government” approach needed to help fragile states quickly restore stability and the rule of law, and achieve economic recovery and sustainable growth.

The central idea behind the Civilian Response Crops is building more effective partnerships – among our government’s civilian departments and agencies, among our civilian and military institutions, together with our friends and allies abroad, and with foreign leaders and citizens whose countries are in crisis, or approaching crisis, and who want our support. Ultimately, the Corps’ goal is to enable countries in crisis to transition as quickly as possible to governing themselves, sustaining themselves, and securing themselves – without U.S. or international assistance.

Because no single U.S. Government entity has all of the relevant expertise to deal with these threats, the Civilian Response Corps is a partnership of eight departments and agencies: the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and Department of the Treasury.

The Secretary of State, in partnership with the aforementioned agencies, has requested funding for 250 full time employees for an interagency Active component comprised of trained and equipped R&S first responders who can deploy in 48 hours to countries in crisis. The request would also fund training for 2,000 Standby members drawn from within these agencies. Additionally, it proposes to build a Reserve, whose members would be drawn from the private sector and state and local governments across the United States, with expertise in the range of processes necessary in a transition from crisis including: policing and rule of law, infrastructure development, economic stabilization, state and local governance, agriculture, and provision of basic services.

Membership in the Active and Standby components was expanded to the interagency on July 16, 2008 at a ceremony held by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Website Here

Vacancies Here

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Government Work: VIP Driver/Special Security Officer, Virginia

Nov 24

Posted by Matt in Driving, Executive Protection, Government Work, Jobs, Virginia | 1 Comment

 

US Dept of State 2mp3jTz5Government Work: VIP Driver/Special Security Officer, Virginia

 

VIP Driver / Special Security Officer

US Department of State

Arlington, VA

Date Posted:  11/21/08

 Job Status:  Full-Time

 Contact Information:  Not Listed

 Pay Range:  $61-80K

Career Level:  Experienced (Non-Manager)

Industry:   Transportation / Logistics, Government / Civil Service

VIP Driver / Security Officer

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Dignitary Protection Division has an opening for one (1) VIP Driver / Security Officer. This is a full-time, one-year renewable, personal services contract position at the GS-12 equivalent level.

Mandatory Requirements:

* U.S. Citizenship required. This must be clearly stated on the application

* A valid drivers license

* Strong background in security skills including surveillance detection

* The ability to travel worldwide on short notice

* At least one year experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level

* The ability to work long hours ability to obtain a medical clearance

* Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security clearance prior to contract start date.

Other Requirements:

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