Strategic Advisor and Liaison for Border Security Solutions

$90,300 - $141,075/Yr

Noblis - Reston, VA

Hybrid - Reston, VA

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The recent expansion of Noblis' work at the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate resulted in the rapid addition of teammates. Noblis' recognition in the Washington Post as a top workplace reflects the dedication and commitment of our managers to promoting workplace development and professional growth for all. This role will directly support the Borders Security and Solutions Division division within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Office of Mission & Capability Support (MCS) with a focus on new technology solutions for border security and collaboration with CBP Office of Field Operations. At Noblis and Noblis ESI, we have excellent teams of smart, collaborative, proactive experts and professionals. We are actively seeking to identify personnel to join our team of talented professionals who possess the experience, vision, commitment, and integrity to successfully support the strategic goals of DHS S&T MCS. DHS S&T was established by Congress to provide innovative scientific and technical solutions to the nation's homeland security challenges. Within S&T, MCS executes Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) to transition solution approaches, technologies, and knowledge products in support of DHS Component customers including U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal, State, Local Tribal and Territorial (FSLTT) first responders, and the larger Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE). MCS covers all DHS mission areas and serves 13 discrete customer portfolios. New teammates will support these efforts, as well as augment our existing team working on rapidly developing technology in response to evolving threats. This is currently a hybrid position requiring staff to be in-person at the DHS S&T client site in Washington, DC a minimum of two days per week or as needed in accordance with the requirements of the contract. This position will also require travel around the National Capital Area.

Responsibilities

• Providing insight and advice concerning strategic and technical direction and applicability of current, industry standard, or innovative solutions based on in-depth understanding of the latest developments relevant to a specialized functional area.
• Developing technical and strategic documentation for programs, projects and individual activities in collaboration with federal program and project managers.
• Overseeing, monitor, and support government-sponsored research programs on leading-edge technologies.
• Evaluating the feasibility of technical approaches to problems and requirements presented by operational customers.
• Supporting the identification, assessment, evaluation, and testing of existing and emerging technologies, systems, and capabilities, including coordination with related government, academic, and industry programs; attending meetings and symposia; coordinating meetings and programs reviews; and supporting program advocacy including development and production of presentation materials.
• Assessing the efficacy, safety, cost lifecycle costs of proposed or realized solutions.
• Concisely communicating findings, assessments, and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences as needed.
• Providing programmatic and technical presentations to varied audiences including customers, partners, and stakeholders at the direction of federal program and project managers.
• Active participation in engagements with operational customers and stakeholders to include providing technical and scientific feedback and guidance in consultation with MCS program and project managers.
• Participating in meetings, workshops, conferences, and program reviews at the direction of the program or project manager to provide programmatic and technical reviews and feedback, summarize and synthesize information for federal project managers and teammates, and contribute to the technical and program management dialogue with research performers and relevant stakeholders.
• Assisting with the development and administration of RDT&E contracts, to include tasks such as: development of solicitation material, administration of source selection reviews, and assessing technical solutions.
• Monitoring project performance and reviewing deliverables to ensure technical, programmatic, and financial goals and objectives are met while identifying possible program risks.
• Coordinating with federal project and program managers to prepare for weekly sync meetings, briefings to matrix stakeholders and MCS leadership, and monthly/ad-hoc technical discussions with project performers.
• Providing support to Portfolio and Program Managers in their continued engagement with DHS S&T customers on the receipt, prioritization, and regular reporting of their operational capability gaps.
• Providing high level vision to program/project manager or senior leadership to influence objectives of complex efforts.
• Performing routine tasks including, but not limited to, scheduling, writing internal memos, maintaining, and updating Program Management records, filing, intranet website maintenance, preparing and reviewing presentations, records maintenance, and coordinating daily operations of the assigned program.
• Coordinating, tracking, and aiding in responding to program-aligned S&T Executive Secretary data calls, compiling information, and preparing information for reporting to senior leadership, with a particular emphasis items requiring technical content and information.

Requirements

• A master's degree or PhD and at least 5 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 10 years of experience and relevant certifications and degree equivalencies.
• Evidence of scientific guidance, such as technology roadmaps, feasibility analysis, and market research regarding the boundaries of state-of-the-art technology.
• Demonstrated experience distilling complex technical topics, requirements, and concepts into plain language for diverse sets of stakeholders to include strong technical writing skills.
• Eligibility to receive DHS Suitability and possession of an active Secret Clearance.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience supporting DHS components and agencies either operationally or through project management.
• Demonstrated experience in business acumen, identifying and responding to opportunities for growth and communication.
• Demonstrated experience conducting technology scouting assessments to identify and prioritize relevant emerging technologies, including AI capabilities and non-intrusive inspection technologies.
• Demonstrated experience with gap analysis and requirements refinement and use-case identification from both the field and industry for viable solutions to impact operational missions (e.g., cargo screening capabilities, port of entry scanning technologies).
• Demonstrated experience supporting test design, execution, and scaling of capabilities.
• Demonstrated proficiency in providing technical, program management, and analytical support to programs and projects serving DHS Mission Areas such as border Security, non-intrusive inspection, and law enforcement.
• Demonstrated experience conducting in-depth research supporting studies and analyses for client priorities.
• Demonstrated experience with developing, analyzing, or engaging in consulting or similar work related to DHS border security, non-intrusive inspection, and/or artificial intelligence mission areas.
• Demonstrated experience with developing, analyzing, or engaging in consulting or similar work related to non-intrusive inspection, border security, and associated capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to distill project requirements and maintain awareness of current non-intrusive inspection capabilities through several reporting outlets.
• Demonstrated a strong ability to provide strategic project management support for client initiatives to establish the vision for the short- and long-term impacts on the operations.
• Demonstrated experience developing executive reporting for internal and external stakeholders to support the change management process and decision-making around test objectives, progress, and outcomes (presentations, journey maps, and process maps).
• Demonstrated experience supporting technology transition from research and development into operational use.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and presentation skills. Proven results-oriented problem-solving abilities. Experience with presentation graphics and/or spreadsheet tools.
• Demonstrated experience providing guidance, feedback, and consulting services to federal program managers and leadership.
• Demonstrated experience providing program and/or project management support on research and development contracts.
• Experience facilitating resolution of customer requirements, including helping to identify and document capability gaps, formulate and develop technological solutions, and participate in and contribute to strategic discussions.
• Active Secret or Top Secret Security Clearance and DHS HQ and/or CBP Suitability are preferred.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Financial benefits
• Retirement benefits
• Paid leave
• Professional development
• Tuition assistance
• Work-life programs