Overview
Prerequisites:
• possess and maintain a TOP SECRET clearance. OR be eligible to obtain a Top Secret Clearance
• at least one year of specialized experience in one or more of the following fields:
o Watch Officer
o Emergency Management
o Intelligence Analyst
o Military Command Post
o working in an Emergency Operations Center.
This position is on contract to U. S. Department of Agriculture located in the Emergency Programs Division, Office of Homeland Security (OHS), Departmental Management, USDA. OHS provides Departmental executive leadership for initiatives pertaining to physical security, emergency programs, personnel and document security, continuity of operations/continuity of government, homeland and security, and operations center support to USDA emergency response and program operations nationwide.
The Emergency Programs Division manages the Department’s Emergency Operations Center and provides international, national, and regional situational awareness across the Department including providing and maintaining current information systems technology and national security systems to support USDA crisis management capability and facilitate inter-agency crisis coordination. The primary purpose for the position is to serve as a watch stander in support of the mission to provide international and national situational awareness to keep the Secretary and senior management informed of threats or issues related to the Department mission.

Job Description
Major duties and responsibilities:
• Stands watches in support of the Operation Center’s mission to provide senior USDA staff with international, national and regional situational awareness.
• Receives and processes emergency notifications and information about other events impacting or affecting USDA operations and programs within the context of the Department’s Emergency Management System (EMS).
• Recommends actions and procedural changes and refinements in critical program areas.
• Reviews and evaluates incoming reports, information, and programs to ensure timely and effective response to incidents and/or developing emergencies in which USDA may be involved.
• Collects information from other government agency SITREPS and SPOTREPS during emergency situations in order to prepare reports that keep the Secretary informed of threats or issues related the Department mission.
• Maintains systems for receipt, analysis, and dissemination of information and data pertaining to incidents, potential and actual emergency situations, and routine information and data which includes intelligence data, USDA operational data (information received for USDA Agencies and Offices), and information from other U.S. Government agencies (i.e., State Department, National Security Council, Department of Defense, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the National Response Center).
• Operates the USDA incident/emergency computer and communications network including the Computer Emergency Notification System, MlR3 Messaging system, V-brick IPTV override system, Critical Infrastructure Warning and Information Network, and radiation monitoring systems.
• Reviews and evaluates incoming reports, information, and programs to ensure timely and effective response to incidents or to train and validate responses to a wide variety of scenarios.
• Participates in exercises, assists in the analysis of results, and provides input to After Action Reports.
• Maintains current knowledge and oversight of emergency plans, procedures, and resources of specific program offices as well as their pre-crisis analysis and planning in order to provide assistance to program officials managing crisis situations and to ensure availability of emergency operations resources. Recommends, changes to plans and procedures as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Candidates with availability to cover shifts between 06:00 - 18:00, Monday - Friday will be held with higher consideration.

Benefits
All employees are required to undergo a fully paid three-week training program. This training program will take place primarily during the day shift 06:00-1800, but there will be some other shifts mixed in to ensure all shifts duties are covered.
The USDA Operations Center is a 24/7/365 Operation; Although we try to maintain the work life balance and provide a consistent working schedule, there are times the candidate will need to be flexible. Operational needs may require schedules to be moved around to complete tasks. This is a 24/7/365 operations center and part time employees are required to be flexible to cover shifts as needed
Base compensation rate: $35 - $42 per/hr, depending on skills, knowledge and experience.
This company is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by Federal, state or local law.