Watch Officer/Operations Specialist

Clearance

TS/SCI

Overview

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).

Background

• This contractor position assists the U.S. Department of Commerce in remaining prepared to respond to, and recover from, the unexpected.
• 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 a solid grasp of grammar and solid MS Office (especially Word) skills, 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.
• 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.
• As the situation dictates, the Operations Watch Officer may have to deploy to perform CIOC watch duties at a Commerce continuity facility, a less than 2 hour drive from the Commerce Headquarters.

Responsibilities

• Perform as a night shift CIOC Operations Watch Officer, serving on a 365-day, 24/7 basis using 12-hour rotational shifts (which at times may also include occasional day shift assignments as may be required) to maintain uninterrupted situational monitoring; support schedule development, backfill shifts when needed, and assist with activation and relocation to an alternate operating site during high-risk periods or when the headquarters is unavailable.
• Monitor and analyze emergency, incident-related, and routine operational information streams across communications systems, media outlets, and operational data feeds to identify significant developments and maintain continuous situational awareness; use emergency notification systems and geospatial mapping tools to enhance operational tracking and visualization.
• Coordinate time-sensitive alerts and notifications by prioritizing, processing, and disseminating critical information to senior leadership, Operating Units, and interagency partners, ensuring proper handling of unclassified and classified communications consistent with federal security requirements.
• Prepare briefs, narrative reports, and operational summaries demonstrating high-level expertise in formatting, editing, proofreading, and quality assurance to produce accurate, polished, and professional written products for senior leadership.
• Attend and support internal, Department-wide, and interagency working groups as required and contribute to coordinated information sharing and federal continuity and emergency management efforts.
• Support the development and implementation of Operations Center policies, procedures, standards, and programmatic activities by assisting with documentation, developing reports and templates for Operating Units to meet Continuity and Emergency Management requirements, and conducting routine and periodic communications testing to ensure operational readiness and system functionality.
• Follow standard operating procedures and obtain supervisory or federal staff approval when required to ensure appropriate federal personnel are informed of and have approved critical operational decisions before execution; support assigned projects during periods without active incidents at a level commensurate with Program Analyst responsibilities.
• Maintain and communicate situational awareness across all hazards including natural disasters and National Special Security Events, as well as human-caused and technological incidents.
• Communicate and coordinate clearly in person, over the phone, and in writing to enable a proper, timely emergency management awareness and incident response.
• 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.
• Produce alert and notification messages through the Commerce Emergency Notification System (Everbridge) to rapidly notify personnel of significant incidents based on SOP.
• Monitor and respond to emails received by the CIOC email accounts on classified networks and to phone calls received on CIOC Watch Officer phone lines.
• 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.
• 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.
• As requested, develop and/or revise templates and tailored reports to support CIOC incident management and continuity of operation responses.
• As requested, assist in drafting, reviewing, and implementing new and revised CIOC policies and SOPs.
• 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:

• After roughly 2 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 primarily solo 12 hour night shifts.
• 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.
• This position is planned to work 85.75 hours (7 x 12.25 hour shifts) over each 2 week pay 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.

Qualifications

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).

• 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).
• 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.
• Solid MS Office (especially 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.
• Understanding 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.
• Experience preparing situational awareness reports.
• Experience performing research and analysis and then writing and editing emails and documents.
• Experience providing communication and coordination support to executives across various platforms at the unclassified and classified levels.
• Unwavering ability to arrive at duty location on time and perform required duties solo on 12 hour night shifts.
• Reliable means (public and/or private) to get to and from the Commerce Headquarters as well as dependable transportation for travel, as may be required, to an alternate site to perform Watch Officer duties.
• Willingness to learn, and an ability to make informed decisions/take actions based on SOPs and templates and the evolving situation and risk.
• 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

• Experience using SIPRNet and JWICS in daily duties.
• Experience using geospatial tools to better understand which Commerce locations an incident may impact.
• Understanding of Primary Mission Essential Functions (PMEFs) and assessing an incident’s impact on PMEFs.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Ability to move throughout large Federal buildings to support daily operational requirements, including walking moderate to long distances as needed.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 10 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Work may involve 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.

Education

Bachelor of Science degree (or an additional 4 years’ relevant experience) is required.

Location and Work Hours

This position is 100% on site. The contractor will primarily work overnight shifts from 5:45pm – 6:00am.

Work will primarily be performed at:

U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Headquarters (Herbert C. Hoover Building (HCHB)), 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

Compensation

The compensation range for this position is $104,998- $113,776 annually. Compensation will be discussed in greater detail with candidates who advance in the interview process, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of qualifications and alignment with role requirements.

Compensation Disclaimer:The salary range provided for this position represents a general guideline. Final compensation will be determined at the Company’s discretion based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, skills, education, internal equity, geographic location, and contract requirements. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range.

Benefits and EEO

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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