Department of Homeland Security

Assistant Administrator for Trusted Traveler and Credentialing

Springfield, Virginia Full time

Assistant Administrator for Trusted Traveler and Credentialing

Department: Department of Homeland Security

Location(s): Springfield, Virginia

Salary Range: $151661 - $228000 Per Year

Job Summary: The Assistant Administrator (AA) for Trusted Traveler and Credentialing (TT&C) is an executive-level management official in TSA and is responsible for all TSA enrollment programs, vetting, credentialing and pre-screening programs to include TSA's Trusted Traveler and Registered Traveler programs and the implementation of corresponding policies and programs.

Major Duties:

  • The Assistant Administrator, Trusted Traveler and Credentialing reports to the Executive Assistant Administrator (EAA)/Chief Technology & Systems Officer (CTSO) and represents the agency on matters concerning the end-to-end program management and oversight of enrollment services, security threat assessment, credential vetting and passenger pre-screening appropriated and fee-funded programs at TSA. High level duties include: Leading, establishing, and managing program operations, technology, budget, and end-to end integration of TSA frontline credentialing mission priorities across TSA, as well as critical intra and inter-agency executive coordination and outreach to achieve TSA mission essential strategic goals and tactical objectives in vetting, credentialing, and enrollment. Influencing and driving from concept to implementation a variety of TSA and DHS initiatives from identity verification, enrollment and registration for credentialing, biographic and biometric-based vetting, passenger pre-screening, and integration with technology and multiple field operations. Aligning TSA initiatives with that of the larger DHS credentialing and vetting enterprise, coordinating, and integrating across the Federal government, and state, local, tribal, and private sector stakeholders. Serving as principal expert and advisor to the EAA/CTSO in addition to the Department of Homeland Security, state and local government officials on enrollment services, security assessments, and operational program planning issues relating to appropriated, and fee-based pre-screening and credential vetting programs in conjunction with the National Vetting Enterprise. Serving as primary agency lead with authority to develop and implement multiple agency-wide, high visibility, mission critical initiatives requiring integration and leadership across both Security Operations and Mission Support offices with executive level briefing and reporting on planning, integration, resourcing, and progress. Testifying and briefing Congressional staff and members regarding credentialing and integrating with security operations, identity verification, integration technology, industry pre-screening and enrollment programs. Driving continuous review of enrollment program (including but not necessarily limited to Pre-Check, HazMat, TWIC, Alien Flight) standards and requirements, and works closely with the Pre-Check Marketing & Branding team to expand enrollment applications. Overseeing the coordination, development, interpretation, and dissemination of domestic and international Trusted Traveler and Registered Traveler enrollment services and vetting program's security policies including, but not limited to security programs, guidelines, agreements, and regulations incorporating industry input, as appropriate. Monitoring and reviewing all outstanding security policies affecting the industry for relevance. Continually assessing the effectiveness of policy, programs, and operations and adjusts, as needed, to meet emerging priorities. Ensuring a risk-based methodology is used to establish and develop security regulations, policies, and directives to reduce measurable risk. Overseeing: The development and interpretation of TSA security policy and regulations governing enrollment, pre-screening, and credential vetting programs; The development and implementation of pre-screening and credential vetting security programs; The management of end-to-end pre-screening and credential programs and maintains awareness and/or mastery knowledge of the most current and impacting proposed/enacted legislation in the area of air cargo, aviation, maritime, and surface security policy, pre-screening, and vetting. Driving continuous, measurable security risk reduction. Establishing organizational performance metrics in accordance with TSA's mission, vision, goals, and strategic objectives. Utilizing metrics to assess security improvement over time for the industry. Collaborating with all organizational elements within TSA that have enrollment, credentialing and vetting equities, which are interconnected and interdependent, to ensure consistency and coordination of policies and programs needed to accomplish TSA's mission. This involves understanding the roles and responsibilities of each of TSA's organizational components and sharing key information between and among these components to assure robust communication throughout the sector. Serving as the Agency representative for the vetting business operations at Departmental and cross-agency program acquisition review boards, cross-agency joint requirements boards, as well as interagency technology integration advisory councils including Federal Watchlist Advisory Councils, National Security Council sub-interagency working groups, DHS shared vetting boards and senior guidance teams.

Qualifications: Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. As a basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications listed below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the equivalent of the GS-15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state and local government, the private sector, or non-governmental organizations. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs) related to this position within your resume. Your resume MAY NOT EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will be deemed ineligible and will not receive further consideration. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-BASED. Therefore, evidence of each ECQ and TQ must be CLEARLY REFLECTED in your resume. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the following technical qualifications. Expert knowledge of security policies, laws, regulations, and experience implementing and managing programs involved in credentialing and vetting transportation workers and passengers; interpreting and evaluating vetting analysis and intelligence to determine future threats; establishing and implementing credentialing and vetting policies as well as multiple complex capabilities, projects or programs that are integrated with field operations, multiple business processes, and technology, while building and managing a workforce based on organizational goals, budget considerations and staffing needs. Knowledge of the relationships between Department of Homeland Security components and programs and private sector organizations and/or other governmental departments, bureaus, or equivalent organizations in monitoring, networking with, and managing enrollment, credentialing and vetting programs. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES)/Transportation Security Executive Service (TSES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect the the ECQs and TQs, you will not receive further consideration for the position. ECQ 1 - COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING. This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2 - DRIVING EFFICIENCY. This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3 - MERIT AND COMPETENCE. This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4 - LEADING PEOPLE. This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5 - ACHIEVING RESULTS. This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. NOTE: If you are a member of the SES/TSES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES/TSES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES/TSES. FAILURE TO MEET OR FULLY ADDRESS EACH EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATION AND TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS IN THE RESUME WILL ELIMINATE A CANDIDATE FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages. If needed, applicants may request a religious accommodation as part of the hiring process from the designated contact noted in the vacancy announcement (for contact information please see 'Agency Contact Information' listed within the 'How to Apply' section of this job announcement).

Application Deadline: 2026-05-15