Historian chez Department of Homeland Security

Top Secret

Duties

The selected historian will join the Human Rights Violators Law Division (HRVLD) of OPLA and be part of a team that investigates and prosecutes human rights violators and war criminals. HRVLD historians are experts on the history of post-1950s conflicts or regimes in which human rights abuses were perpetrated and have broad knowledge of relevant historical literature and of domestic, foreign, and international archives and similar repositories containing records pertinent to the investigations of human rights violations and war crimes. Geographical specialization in Africa, Asia or the Middle East is preferred, though we also welcome those with other regional expertise to apply. HRVLD historians conduct case-related investigative research as part of regionally focused teams at the Homeland Security Investigations led Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center. The teams work to identify, investigate, and prosecute criminal and immigration cases against individuals in the U.S. who have been involved in persecution, genocide, extrajudicial killing, torture, severe violations of religious freedom, female genital mutilation, the use or recruitment of child soldiers, war crimes or other human rights violations, as well as to seek the subsequent removal of these individuals from the United States As a Historian, you will perform the following duties: Demonstrate a high degree of resourcefulness, ingenuity, tenacity and creative thinking in conducting research. Synthesize and contextualize research findings for varying audiences. Organize, track, and account for documents and sources reviewed or collected on a large-scale research project. Analyze primary source materials to prepare status reports detailing progress in investigative research.

Qualifications

Limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic AND Minimum Qualification requirements as noted below. Basic Requirement: You must meet one of the items listed below (A or B): A. Possess a degree in history; or related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history. (Must provide transcripts) B. Possess a combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in history, or a major in a related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. (Must provide transcripts) ADDITIONAL Requirement: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, in addition to the Basic Requirement above, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education below for the grade level for which you are applying. Specialized Experience: GS-14: Applicant must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-13 level in the Federal service that included experience such as: Conducting research by identifying relevant materials in foreign archives. Detailing progress investigative research and outlining steps to be taken. Explaining research findings for varying audiences. GS-15: Applicant must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-14 level in the Federal service that included experience such as: Participating in peer reviews. Analyzing primary source materials, to prepare a doctoral dissertation or similar, such as published peer-reviewed article, that meticulously present original research findings and conclusions. Organizing, tracking, and accounting for documents and sources reviewed or collected in a large-scale research project. Proficiency in a foreign language (other than English) is highly desirable for completing research-related tasks and may enhance the applicant's ability to perform the duties of this position. Applicants who possess this skill are encouraged to include relevant details in their application, such as knowledge of vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and rules of composition for the language, or for another spoken foreign language. Note: Applicants should indicate their geographic region of expertise and specific language proficiencies in their resume. These regions include Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification. NOTE: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This position requires specific coursework and/or a degree to meet the basic education requirement. You must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Your transcript(s) must clearly demonstrate the course(s) listed in the qualification requirement section. If the transcript(s) does not clearly demonstrate this you must submit a copy of the course description and/or other documentation demonstrating that the courses are equivalent. If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Other Information

Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet these standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully obtain and maintain a background investigation as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Pursuant to Executive Order 12564, and the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan, ICE is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions (testing designated positions) are subject to random drug testing. Moreover, other drug testing of employees (e.g., reasonable suspicion drug test) may be conducted in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. All applicants tentatively selected for employment at ICE are subject to pre-employment drug testing and a final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result.