Continuity Management & Program Analyst

This Continuity Management and Program Analyst contractor position will enhance the U.S. Department of Commerce’s continuity planning and execution ability. This position has an initial several month focus on updating/rewriting the Department-level Continuity of Operations Plan to ensure the Department remains capable of conducting its essential missions and functions under all threats and conditions.

Background

• This Continuity Management and Program Analyst position directly supports the Director; Continuity, Policy, and Operations Program Office (CPOPO) of the Department’s Office of Security, Insider Risk and Continuity (OSIRC). The CPOPO plans and implements policies by developing procedures and delivering a wide range of services for the Office of the Secretary and other nationwide Department bureaus representing a workforce of roughly 50,000 personnel. Specifically, the CPOPO assesses threats and determines risks to Department resources/assets; ensures proper communications; provides guidance to Department offices and operating units on continuity and policy related matters; and ensures compliance with continuity policies and procedures.
• The ideal Continuity Management and Program Analyst candidate is a mid- to senior-level Continuity Manager who fully understands, and has successfully worked with, Presidential Policy Directive 40 (PPD-40) and current FEMA Federal Continuity Directives (FCDs) supporting one or more of the 15 executive department headquarters (Federal Civilian Agency/Department, not DOD, preferred), is able to produce smooth draft work products (to include research, review, analyze, write, edit, and proof) on an agreed to schedule and then address recommended changes, is a very strong communicator (written and spoken) with very strong MS Word skills, is exceptionally well organized, can quickly “connect the dots” in fast-moving situations, and can effectively collaborate and coordinate with staff at multiple levels. Work is performed in an office environment, unclassified through and including a SCIF, at the Commerce Headquarters in Washington, DC. Occasional local travel may be required to attend meetings and conferences.
• On occasion as the situation may dictate, the Continuity Management and Program Analyst may be required to deploy via personal vehicle to perform duties at a Commerce continuity facility, a less than 2 hour drive from the Commerce Headquarters.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Continuity Management and Program Analyst supporting the Department in development and implementation of the Headquarters and Department-wide Continuity of Operations (COOP) program and other related programs, with a primary initial focus on assessing and updating the COOP Plan for the Department Headquarters.
• Write, develop, and review written documentation of contingency plans and procedures.
• Make recommendations to improve resilience, including through investments that mitigate acknowledged challenges and close self-identified gaps.
• Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of continuity and emergency management programs, make recommendations for improvement, and implement approved initiatives.
• Assist in preparing materials for the Department’s Continuity of Government (COG) mission.
• Assist in the staffing and tracking of Interagency and National Security Council taskings.
• Develop content for an online COOP Awareness Training program for Department employees, as may be requested.
• Attend interagency and internal Continuity and Emergency Management working groups, as may be requested.
• As required, deploy via personal vehicle to perform duties from a Commerce continuity facility, a less than 2-hour drive from the Commerce Headquarters.

Qualifications

• At least 4 years’ COOP/COG experience with and/or supporting one or more of the 15 executive department headquarters (similarly sized Federal Civilian Agency/Department, not DOD, preferred) with at least 1 year in a supervisory role.
• Active Top Secret security clearance and be SCI crossover eligible. Simply being “SCI eligible” is not sufficient – besides having a current investigation, you must be either currently SCI indoc’d (read in) or have been debriefed from SCI less than 23 months ago.
• Collaborating with senior leadership and program stakeholders to implement and maintain a similarly sized federal COOP program and related contingency programs in accordance with presidential policy and federal continuity directives (e.g., programs specific to PPD-40, the Federal Mission Resilience Strategy, and FCDs).
• Continuity planning process experience spanning the four phases of continuity.
• Working with PPD-40 and current FEMA FCDs to produce smooth draft work products (to include researching, reviewing, analyzing, writing, editing, and proofing) on an agreed upon schedule and then addressing recommended changes
• Highly organized and capable of quickly “connecting the dots” in fast-moving situations.
• Extraordinarily strong communicator, both spoken and written, to include exceptional MS Word skills.
• Effective coordinator and collaborator with staff at multiple levels, demonstrating a high degree of professionalism, tact, and diplomacy.
• Dependable personal transportation for travel, as required, to a Commerce continuity facility.
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in an associated/related discipline (or an additional 4 years’ relevant experience without the required B.S. degree may be considered).

Nice to Haves

• Experience using the Federal Continuity Assessment Tool (FCAT) to assess the effectiveness of continuity plans and programs and the organization’s ability to perform essential functions and services.

Work Schedule

Full-time on-site; standard 8 hour day shift with start time as coordinated with the supported Government Task Manager.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Able to move throughout large Federal buildings to support daily operations, including walking moderate to long distances as needed.
• Able to lift and carry up to 10 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Office workspace uses a cubicle arrangement.
• Work may involve periods of prolonged standing, walking, or moving between multiple floors or work areas.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.