Reader Comments – Online CSI Applications

Over the weekend I had two comments from apparently different anonymous readers (here and here) about an error in my Friday post about Chemical Security Inspector (CSI) jobs listed on USAJobs.gov. In my post I complained about having to fax the job application into the site rather than being able to apply on-line. Both readers responded that you could apply for the job on-line. After actually trying the on-line application process I found that they were correct.

I misunderstood the portion of the instructions relating to the submission of “A complete Assessment Questionnaire” in the Required Documents portion of the job listing (the other job listing has already closed). The only other reference to that questionnaire in the listing is found above that requirement with a link to a manually completed document that is required to be faxed to the number provided. After working through the on-line application it is clear that the ‘Assessment Questionnaire’ is included in that application a format that is much easier to deal with.

As a recent expert in the field of on-line job applications I found the on-line application for this job to be a tad bit more detailed than most application that I have completed, but not onerously so. I am still disappointed in the job listing itself as it is way to bureaucratic for my taste, but I suppose that is to be expected for what is after all a bureaucratic job.

BTW: The opening that I explained above that had been closed? Well it has actually been replaced with an updated version that does not close until Thursday. So there are still two current listings for Chemical Security Inspector with a total of 21 open positions between them.

21 CSI Job Openings

There are currently two USAJobs.gov listings for Chemical Security Inspectors with DHS National Protection and Programs Division (NPPD). Between the two listings there are 21 vacancies that NPPD is trying to fill in the CFATS inspection program at various locations around the country. These listings stay open for a very short time period and close next Tuesday and Thursday respectively.

Qualifications

For the entry level (GS-09) position you must either have a Masters degree in Safety Engineering, Industrial Hygiene Inspection, Chemical Engineering, or Process Safety Engineering or 1 year of experience in:

• Conducting or assisting with on-site inspections and audits of regulated facilities to determine if violations have occurred;

• Conducting investigations using accepted inspection, enforcement, and investigative procedures; and

• Preparing reports to both private and public sector personnel on security compliance and enforcement matters.

Competencies

The job notices report that your qualification will be evaluated against the following competencies:

• Knowledge of and ability in conducting on-site physical inspections, documentary reviews, personnel interviews, and site vulnerability analysis of chemical facilities;

• Knowledge of and ability to review and evaluate the physical, personnel, information and cyber security plans and countermeasures of chemical facilities against risk based performance standards;

• Ability to communicate effectively orally; and

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Salary

The salary ranges for the two positions are listed as:

$48,403.00 - $90,129.00

$48,403.00 - $84,800.00

Commentary

I have had extensive experience filling out employment applications over the last nine months and I must say that the application process through USAJobs.gov is one of the least professional, most complex and least professional (I know, I said that twice, with good justification) that I have ever seen. The first thing that you have to know is that it cannot be completed on-line. You have to print out the forms, fill them in by hand, and then fax them in to the application office.

I have not actually completed filling in the forms (since I do not meet the qualifications for entry level for either of these positions), but it looks like this could take a couple of hours. And the site clearly states that if the application is not complete in every detail, it will not be considered. In my opinion, if you can complete the application process in one go, you are fully qualified for the job on bureaucratic grounds alone.

If you are qualified for the positions, and have a desire to help chemical facilities complete the CFATS process to reduce their risk of terrorist attacks, please apply. It may sound corny, but the country really does need you.

BTW: Vacancies will be filled as funding permits – This is always a caveat for federal jobs.

More ISCD Job Openings

I just received an email from USAJobs.com about two sets of job openings in DHS Infrastructure Security Compliance Division (the CFATS people). They have multiple job openings for Chemical Security Inspectors (and I’ve been calling them Chemical Facility Security Inspectors to avoid the ‘CSI’ tag) and Supervisory Chemical Security Inspectors.

Locations

The job listings say that there are openings in multiple locations for each of these positions.

For the CSI there are “many” openings in the following cities:

• Memphis, TN
• Fort Snelling, MN
• Madison, WI
• Albuquerque, NM
• Buffalo, NY
• San Francisco, CA
• San Antonio, TX
• Brea, CA
• Pittsburgh, PA
• Louisville, KY

For the SCSI there are “few” openings in the following cities:

• Grand Prairie, TX
• Houston, TX
• New York, NY
• West Chester, PA
• Tallahassee, FL
• Saint Louis, MO
• Baton Rouge, LA
• Phoenix, AZ
• Knoxville, TN
• Seattle, WA
• Kansas City, MO
• Portland, OR
• San Francisco, CA
• Brea, CA
• Richmond, VA

Does it seem kind of odd that there are openings in more cities for SCSI than for CSI? Something is odd there; I’ll try to find out what. At least it seems that there are more actual openings (many vs few) for CSI than for SCSI.

Too Many Vacancies

Now there are a ‘few’ vacancies in each city for SCSI. So does that mean 45 (few – 3, 3*15 cities)? The many vacancies for SCSI  could mean 40 (many – 4, 4*10). That would be 85 positions out of about 160 authorized. This is way too many folks missing from the ranks. I seem to recall hearing 120 inspectors on hand in various hearings. Have we been losing that many folks because of the problems at ISCD?

CSI Qualifications

The CSI lists slightly different qualifications for people being hired at the GS-09, GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13 levels. The GS-09 (entry level) qualifications include one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) that involved knowledge of:

• Homeland security;

• Infrastructure protection;

• Information security;

• Intelligence and law enforcement information; and

• Information analysis, along with knowledge of analytical and investigative techniques.

Alternatively an applicant could have a Master’s degree in one of the following qualifying fields:

• Safety Engineering;

• Industrial Hygiene Inspection;

• Chemical Engineering; and

• Process Safety Engineering.

Interestingly, a degree in chemistry or criminal justice without additional course work in one of the above fields would not be qualifying. Combinations of the experience and educational requirements can be used. Obviously I’m hitting the highlights here, see the job listing for more details.

SCSI Qualifications

As one might expect the qualifications for the SCSI position are a bit less complicated. The applicant must have one full year of experience at the GS-13 level (in the public or private sector) that includes:

• Evaluating subordinate chemical inspector preparation, performance, and reporting on chemical facility inspections;

• Reporting on chemical facilities by utilizing the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS); and

• Supervising the work performance of other chemical facility inspectors.

Ammonium Nitrate Security Program

There is an odd difference between the descriptions of the two job positions; even taking into account that one is a supervisory position and the other is not. The CSI Job Summary section of the job listing notes in addition to doing CFATS inspections the job would require the CSI to “plan, organize, schedule and conduct on-site inspections of ammonium nitrate facilities”. The SCSI Job Summary does not say anything about CFATS but does provide a similar mention of inspections at ammonium nitrate facilities.

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, DHS does not plan to issue the Ammonium Nitrate Security Program final rule until December and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was in 2014 or even 2015 when the final rule was actually published. But, these job listings both seem to indicate that DHS is ramping up now for that enforcement effort.

Need for Good Folks

Well, the CFATS program, for all of its faults, is an important program that needs good people. If you are interested (or know someone that should be interested, tell them) get your applications in through USAJobs.gov. The CSI jobs close January 30^th and the SCSI jobs close January 29^th.