Operations Center Watch Officer - Scheduler

Position based at the U.S. Department of State, Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) in Blackstone, VA.

About the role

The Operations Center Watch Officer will help provide a safe and secure training environment for staff, students, and visitors to the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) by delivering daily operations, coordination, and communications for all programs utilizing FASTC training spaces. The role is responsible for coordination, de-confliction, and safety considerations of training areas used by Diplomatic Security (DS) training programs.

Responsibilities

• Support coordination, de-confliction, and safety considerations of training areas used by DS training programs to ensure a safe and secure environment for staff, students, and visitors.
• Direct facility-wide notifications using a variety of communications media.
• Assist in the development and instruction of all Tactical Operation Center (TOC) course curriculum as the subject matter expert in operations coordination.
• Conduct administrative functions within the training operations center, including training requests processing, coordination, tracking logs, and emergency operations procedures.
• Operate integrated wave communications systems and terminate radio traffic to the operations center using multiple networks, frequencies, communications security, and proper radio procedures.
• Maintain technical and tactical proficiency on topics such as:
  • Wave communication
  • Personal Tracking Locators
  • Mobile Video Systems
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Security Management Systems
  • Electric Counter Measures
  • Tactical Operations Center planning and procedures
  • Route planning techniques
  • Emergency operations procedures
  • Convoy operations
  • Tactical communications protocols
  • Surveillance detection
  • Navigation
  • High Threat Tactical protective security procedures and communications
• Serve as an expert for all DS specialized hard skills programs, including:
  • Force continuum procedures
  • Anti-terrorism topics
  • Domestic and overseas high threat dignitary protection
  • Improvised explosive device (IED) recognition
  • Room entry tactics (Close Quarters Battle-CQB)
  • Defensive tactics
  • Advanced firearms tactics
  • Physical fitness
• Gather and monitor data from sources such as surface or upper stations, satellites, weather bureaus, or radar for risk management purposes related to training operations.
• Provide assistance in conducting practical exercises.
• Present security awareness briefings to a wide range of audiences.
• Maintain requisite proficiency in current techniques, methods, policies, and procedures for security operations.
• Assist with equipment inventory and maintenance for assigned programs.
• Perform as a training safety officer.

Requirements

• One (1) year of experience in a tactical operations center, plus five (5) years of relevant hard skills tactics experience.
• Instructor experience preferred.
• High school diploma required; completion of a recognized instructor development training course preferred.
• Experience coordinating and scheduling classrooms, conference rooms, training facilities, and event venues in a dynamic operational environment.
• Proficiency with scheduling and resource management systems, including Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, or other facility scheduling platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple scheduling requests simultaneously while resolving conflicts and optimizing resource utilization.
• Experience supporting training programs, meetings, exercises, conferences, or special events requiring venue and resource coordination.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively with leadership, instructors, event coordinators, vendors, and external stakeholders regarding scheduling requirements and changes.
• Experience maintaining scheduling records, calendars, facility utilization reports, and operational logs.
• Excellent people and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of:
  • Terrorist operations
  • Surveillance detection
  • Motorcade operations
  • Communications
  • Law enforcement/military training programs to ensure training is conducted safely
  • Security programs, operations, and techniques, including terrorism and anti-terrorism operations, use of force, civil liability, and appropriate techniques, tactics, and procedures
  • Security concepts, principles, and practices to provide basic and advanced training in protective security methods
  • Current protective security methods to provide instruction consistent with accepted methods and practices
• Familiarity with the functions, responsibilities, and duties of foreign service personnel preferred.
• Basic knowledge of adult learning principles, course development, classroom and practical instructional presentation methods, and methods for evaluating training effectiveness.
• Basic knowledge in the development and revision of training curriculum.
• Ability to immediately analyze, predict, and preclude situations to ensure training is conducted safely.
• Ability to establish and maintain liaison with personnel at all levels to plan and coordinate assigned responsibilities.
• Skill in oral and written communication to present training to a variety of audiences.
• Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance.

Work Environment

• Ability to work outdoors where conditions may be unpleasant or uncomfortable, including irregular and unscheduled hours and exposure to personal risks.
• Ability to work effectively in an environment consisting of numerous personnel, use of non-lethal projectiles (firearms), air assets (helicopters), pyrotechnics, and fast-moving vehicles.

Physical Demands

• Operate US government vehicles as necessary in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Complete work requiring regular and recurring physical exertion, including periods of standing, occasional heavy lifting, and irregular hours in both training and protective service operations, sometimes during inclement weather.
• Lift and carry heavy equipment and materials while demonstrating physically challenging practical exercises.
• Work effectively in an environment consisting of numerous personnel, use of non-lethal projectiles (firearms), air assets (helicopters), pyrotechnics, and fast-moving vehicles.
• Regularly required to talk or hear.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms.

Schedule

This is a full-time position. Typical days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evening and weekend hours required as needed by business need.

Travel

Travel as necessary to other U.S. and foreign training sites, though it is not expected such travel will exceed 25% of total work time.

Pay

The expected compensation range for this position is $95,000 to $100,000 per year, negotiable depending on education and experience.

Benefits

We offer comprehensive benefits that allow you to balance work and life. A benefits summary is available here.