Watch Officer/Operations Specialist (Mid and Senior Level)

This position provides night-shift Operations Watch Officers (Mid and Senior level Operations Specialists) to support the Secretary of Commerce’s Commerce Information and Operations Center (CIOC).

1. This contractor position assists the U.S. Department of Commerce in remaining prepared to respond to, and recover from, the unexpected.
2. The ideal candidate understands how to coordinate on all-hazard emergency management issues; can quickly “connect the dots” in fast-moving external events; understands a “chain of command”; can communicate in person and over the phone clearly and succinctly; is a strong writer with solid MS Word skills and able to research, analyze, write, edit, and proof; is exceptionally reliable; can remain calm and be decisive under pressure; and is able to understand and follow SOPs and use templates. This person will effectively collaborate and coordinate with people at all levels of government, in non-governmental organizations, and in the private sector.
3. Work is performed in an office environment, unclassified through and including a SCIF, at the Commerce Headquarters in Washington, DC; free parking is available for night shift Operations Watch Officers. This is an on-site position; teleworking is not allowed.
4. As the situation dictates, the Operations Watch Officer may be required to deploy via personal vehicle to perform CIOC watch duties at a Commerce continuity facility, a less than 2 hour drive from the Commerce Headquarters.

1. Perform as a night shift CIOC Operations Watch Officer.
2. Maintain and communicate situational awareness across all hazards including natural disasters and National Special Security Events, as well as human-caused and technological incidents.
3. Communicate and coordinate clearly in person, over the phone, and in writing to enable a proper, timely emergency management awareness and incident response.
4. Prepare operational, alert and notification, and situational awareness reports for a variety of incidents and situations per the CIOC SOP; research, analyze, write, edit, proof, obtain approval of, and distribute timely, quality work products for internal and external use.
5. Produce alert and notification messages through the Commerce Emergency Notification System (Everbridge) to rapidly notify personnel of significant incidents based on SOP.
6. Monitor and respond to emails received by the CIOC email accounts on classified networks and to phone calls received on the CIOC Watch Officer phone lines.
7. Collect, compile, and analyze SIPRNet and JWICS message traffic to alert appropriate leadership and organizations to significant incidents that could impact the Commerce mission, personnel, and or infrastructure.
8. Conduct scheduled and ad hoc testing of voice, audio, and data communications systems to ensure all systems (e.g., SIPRNet, JWICS, vIPEr, internet, phone, and SVTC) are fully operational.
9. As requested, develop and/or revise templates and tailored reports to support CIOC incident management and continuity of operation responses.
10. As requested, assist in drafting, reviewing, and implementing new and revised CIOC policies and SOPs.
11. As required, deploy to perform CIOC Watch Officer duties from the Commerce continuity facility, a less than 2 hour drive from the Commerce Headquarters.

WORK SCHEDULE:

1. After roughly 3 weeks of day shift orientation/training, followed by 1 or 2 months of night shift working side-by-side with an experienced contractor CIOC Operations Watch Officer, the individual will integrate into the CIOC night shift working solo 12 hour night shifts.
2. Night shift report time is 5:45PM for a 15 minute shift change, followed by a 12 hour shift, with the final 15 minutes ending at 6am after turnover to the oncoming federal watch staff.
3. This position is planned to work 85.75 hours (7 x 12.25 hour shifts) over each 2 week period, with the Work (W) and Off (O) weekly schedule typically being: Week 1 – WWOOWWW (61.25 hours), Week 2 – OOWWOOO (24.5 hours), then repeat the 2 week schedule.

1. Approximately 4 years’ experience as an Operations Watch Officer/Stander (Operations Specialist) with at least 2 of the years’ experience desired at a national operations center (i.e., one or more of the 15 Executive Departments). 
2. Watch experience in all hazard operations and incident management (e.g., natural disasters, National Special Security Events, as well as human-caused and technological incidents).
3. 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.
4. Solid MS Word skills as well as the ability to communicate in person and over the phone clearly and succinctly, demonstrating a high degree of professionalism, tact, and diplomacy.
5. Understanding of how to coordinate on emergency management issues, with the capability to quickly “connect the dots” in fast-moving internal or external incidents, assess risk, remain calm, and be decisive under pressure.
6. Experience preparing situational awareness reports.
7. Experience performing research and analysis and then writing and editing emails and documents.
8. Experience providing communication and coordination support to executives across various platforms at the unclassified and classified levels.
9. Unwavering ability to arrive at duty location on time and perform required duties solo on 12 hour night shifts.
10. Reliable means (public and/or private) to get to and from the Commerce Headquarters as well as dependable personal transportation for travel, as may be required, to a local alternate CIOC site to perform Watch Officer duties.
11. Willingness to learn, and an ability to make informed decisions/take actions based on SOPs and templates and the evolving situation and risk.
12. Good judgement and a strong ability to assess complex situations with multiple factors to ascertain if/when potential hazards pose a threat to Commerce interests.

Nice to Have:

1. Experience using SIPRNet and JWICS in daily duties.
2. Experience using Emergency Notification Systems and secure phones.
3. Experience using geospatial tools to better understand which Commerce locations an incident may impact.
4. Understanding of Primary Mission Essential Functions (PMEFs) and assessing an incident’s impact on PMEFs.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

1. Ability to move throughout large Federal buildings to support daily operations, including walking moderate to long distances as needed.

2. Ability to lift and carry up to 10 pounds on an occasional basis.

3. Work may involve periods of standing, walking, or moving between multiple floors or work areas.

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

Bachelor’s degree is highly preferred.

At Ardent Eagle Solutions, we offer a comprehensive benefits package to our employees and their families:

• Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage
• Matching 401(k) Plan
• Continuing Education Assistance
• Paid Time Off
• Free parking is available for the night shift Operations Watch Officers

This job description is intended to describe the general scope of work and level of work that is needed to perform while on task with Ardent Eagle Solutions. Other duties may be assigned. Selected candidates may undergo a government security investigation and must fulfill eligibility criteria for accessing classified information. US citizenship may be a prerequisite for certain roles.

Ardent Eagle Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to disability or protected veteran status.

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