Security Specialist

Summary

The Security Enterprise Services Directorate (SESD) of WHS safeguards personnel, property, and national security for the Office of the Secretary of War and DoD/non-DoD entities. SESD provides vital personnel vetting services to ensure security compliance. Additionally, its Office of Special Security (OSS) delivers multi-disciplined security support to the Office of Military Commissions (OMC) in both the NCR and at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Duties

Incumbent typical work assignments may include the following: Directs multi-disciplinary security services-encompassing physical, personnel, industrial, information, operational, and communications security-for the Office of Military Commissions (OMC); administers the SCI Personnel Security program, validating eligibility, managing DISS and Scattered Castles databases, and executing sensitive position nominations. Oversees Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) throughout their lifecycle from design to decommissioning; partners with technical security agencies to implement TEMPEST and Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) to protect national security information (NSI) under ICD 705 standards. Coordinates security support for Special Access Programs (SAPs), Alternative Compensatory Control Measures (ACCMs), and Department of War contractors, executing the technical review, validation, and processing of contractor DD Form 254s. Manages the secure transmission, packaging, and destruction of classified assets; investigates suspected unauthorized disclosures or security spillage, coordinates corrective actions, and reviews derogatory information on cleared personnel to initiate risk-mitigation measures. Authorizes standard operating procedures (SOPs) and delivers structured security education, training, and awareness programs, including mandatory annual briefings for Original Classification Authorities (OCAs) and biennial training for Derivative Classifiers. Collaborates across the Intelligence Community to share security best practices; drafts decision-ready point papers, talking points, and briefings to advise senior leadership on critical vulnerabilities while reviewing draft policy issuances at the Action Officer level.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below. You may qualify at the GS-11 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your ability to Assist in the daily operations of information, physical, and personnel security programs; Supporting personnel vetting and credentialing processes by tracking background checks, scheduling screening interviews, and coordinates security onboarding or refresher training sessions; AND Assisting in conducting internal audits, physical inspections, or compiling draft standard operating procedures (SOPs). OR Education: Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or a closely related technical field. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. All qualifications and education requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume. Your resume may not exceed two (2) pages. For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the duration of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration. Read more about what should I include in my federal resume at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, as part of their application package, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, indicating the service member is otherwise eligible and will be discharged or released within 120 days from the date of submission.. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. This "certification" must include your rank, dates of active duty service, type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable), and date any terminal leave will begin. It must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible". Members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if they are on terminal leave. Current or Former Political Appointees: Agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.

Education

ARE YOU QUALIFYING BASED ON EDUCATION or A COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE? You must provide sufficient documentation of your education in your resume. You MUST provide a copy of official or unofficial transcripts or degrees in your application package. It may also be acceptable to document your applicable course listing in your resume (course number, credits earned, etc.). Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency. If selected, an official/sealed transcript will be required prior to appointment. PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time