Program Director, Infrastructure, Immigration, and Security Operations (IISO), Homeland Security Research Division (HSRD)

Job Type:

Program Overview 

Within RAND, the Homeland Security Research Division (HSRD) conducts research and analysis for the U.S. government; state, local, and tribal governments; and private foundations. HSRD operates the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC), an FFRDC operated by RAND under contract with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). HSOAC conducts studies and analysis that provides the DHS with subject-matter expertise, analytic rigor, and timely analysis to support operations, policy development, and decision-making for DHS and its partners across the Homeland Security Enterprise as they address complex challenges in preventing terrorism, managing U.S. borders, enforcing and administering immigration laws, safeguarding cyberspace, and strengthening national preparedness and resilience.

Position Description

The Infrastructure, Immigration, and Security Operations (IISO) program strives to be DHS’s preeminent source for rigorous and timely analysis to inform leaders on a diverse range of topics related to strategic planning, policy and program evaluation, and all manner of operational analyses, including: air and marine operations, risk analysis, threat analysis, decision analysis, cybersecurity operations, critical infrastructure protection and resilience, security operations, and immigration topics. IISO sponsors include most of DHS’s operational components: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Security Agency, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Secret Service, and the Transportation Security Administration. Specifically, IISO assists component-level decision-makers by helping to develop strategy, policy, and operational capabilities for maintaining domain awareness; executing security, safety, and enforcement operations; and screening and vetting more effectively, efficiently, and equitably in operational settings, such as at airports, seaports, and borders, while preserving the civil liberties of citizens and residents. Research sponsors include all DHS operational components. To conduct this research, IISO draws on researchers from a wide range of technical and methodological disciplines.

Coverage for this position is up to 100%. This is a five-year term position, with an option to extend subject to management approval.

Responsibilities:

The IISO Director, reporting to the Vice President and Director of HSRD, will maintain the following research streams in the near-term; proactively adjust program emphasis to stay on the cutting edge of policy issues for DHS; recruit, retain, develop, and lead a diverse team of researchers; and work externally to enhance the policy impact of the program.

• Homeland security threat and opportunity studies

• Operational studies

• Regulatory, doctrine, and policy studies

As a leader within the HSRD management team, the IISO Director will also be responsible for:

• Providing intellectual leadership for program research;

• Championing the RAND culture of quality and be an active participant in the HSRD quality assurance process to ensure the program’s products are of high quality, relevant to client needs, and produced on time and within budget;

• Demonstrating excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, including a commitment to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion;

• Supporting and advocating for project leaders and other staff in order to facilitate their work for sponsors at DHS and across the Homeland Security Enterprise;

• Developing new business through direct contacts with key clients and other potential sponsors and shaping proposals for new avenues of research;

• Participating in ongoing HSRD activities (e.g., staff meetings and planning sessions);

• Providing constructive feedback via the staff performance review process;

• Mentoring and collaborating with the Associate Program Director(s) to effectively develop and achieve program’s strategic goals; and

• Providing advice to the HSRD Director and Associate Director as part of the leadership team.

Qualifications

Applicants should have an excellent track record in academic, government, or policy research settings related to the policy domains of IISO. The record should demonstrate exemplary research and analysis capabilities, deep knowledge of the policy environment, excellent leadership and organizational management capabilities, and the ability to build, maintain, and manage a dynamic and fast-paced research program. The ability to help guide and support project leaders in crafting executable research plans is essential. The Director must have exceptional abilities in interpersonal relations, managing staff and client relationships, and in written and oral communications. As with all researchers at RAND, the applicant must have a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.

A program director within HSRD must:

• Have and maintain recognition as a policy expert in their field; and

• Be able to evaluate and oversee complex, fast paced, multi-disciplinary analysis;

• Be willing to travel to Washington, DC regularly.

Education Requirements 

Advanced degree in a relevant field, such as math, statistics, engineering and the sciences, risk, political science, public policy, economics, behavioral or social sciences, security studies, etc. Master’s Degree or equivalent required; PhD preferred.

Experience

• Experience equivalent to RAND full level researcher with a minimum of 8+ years required conducting policy research in a government, corporate or research environment; Experience equivalent to a RAND senior level researcher with 10+ years of experience preferred.

• Experience in managing complex teams in a client-oriented research environment.

• Experience working directly with senior homeland, law enforcement, or national security officials.

Security Clearance

Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance and DHS Fitness. U.S. Citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. An active Secret clearance is preferred. 

Location

Washington, DC; Santa Monica, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; Boston, MA. This position is a flex role, which provides the opportunity for work from home and the office, with at least 50% of days worked on-site at one of the RAND offices required. Fully remote is not available for this role. 

Salary Range

Full Researcher: $115,400 - $190,000

Senior Researcher: $152,700 - $262,500

Hiring ranges for Economists, Management Scientists and Physician Researchers are slightly higher than the ranges shown.

At RAND, the research program management role is a termed assignment that is performed by an experienced researcher, but the researcher role is not a termed position. The candidate selected for this role will be offered regular employment with RAND as a researcher. RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate’s work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. Successful candidates will be offered employment as a Full or Senior researcher in a specific title, as determined by the candidate's education and experience. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND’s sabbatic pay (which provides compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). This position may also be eligible for additional compensation. RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Application Materials

CV/Resume, cover letter, and writing sample are required (PDF documents are preferred) when applying for this position.

Application Review

Review of applications will begin on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet