Chief Research Security Officer

Texas A&M•College Station, TX

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Research Security Officer steers the Texas A&M University System-wide strategy and program for managing and protecting classified, controlled, unclassified, and export-controlled research and information. The role oversees security infrastructure for the A&M System’s U.S. Government-accredited secure space and is accountable for maintaining NIST SP 800-171 compliance for the Secure Computing Enclave, which houses sensitive federally funded research separately from the main university network. The officer serves as the primary security contact with Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and Intelligence Community stakeholders and leads a team of approximately 20 personnel. The position is within the Texas A&M University System Offices in College Station, Texas. The System Offices support a system that includes 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M–Fort Worth, and the Texas A&M–RELLIS Campus. This security-sensitive position is restricted to U.S. citizens. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment depends on verification of credentials and other information required by institutional procedures. A cover letter and resume may be required in addition to a completed employment application. The System Offices offers competitive health benefits; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; retirement plans with employer contributions, subject to plan applicability; voluntary tax-deferred annuity options; tuition assistance; and wellness programs intended to promote work/life balance. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Requirements

Ten years of experience supporting a Cleared Defense Contractor in academic and/or government environments as an FSO, CSSO, or Security Officer.
Experience managing employees, including personnel at local and offsite facility locations.
Experience with Special Access Program management.
Experience managing construction of SAPFs and SCIFs.
Management experience interpreting DD Form 254s, Security Classification Guides, and other security-related contract management requirements, including flowing security guidance down to subcontractors.
Experience implementing security for existing programs and new program starts.
Management experience leading and conducting internal audits, participating in government vulnerability assessments, investigating and mitigating risks or non-compliance, pre-employment employee vetting, and security-relevant RFP review and proposal writing.
Experience as an ISSM or ISSO, or in management of an ISSM.
Familiarity with 32 Code of Federal Regulations Part 117, NISPOM, and other DoD compliance regulations.
Ability to secure DoD Top Secret and DoE Q security clearances with SCI access.
Extensive knowledge of industrial security administration, contracts, and government databases, including DISS, e-QIP, and NISS.
Extensive knowledge of Department of Energy Security Programs.
Ability to communicate effectively and present compelling verbal and written communications to internal and external customers, and to guide executive staff and subcontractors.
Must be able to participate in response activities at U.S. government-accredited secure facilities outside normal office hours.
Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation and verification of credentials and other information required by institutional procedures.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree with research security-related experience at the programmatic level.
Security certifications such as Network+, Security+, and/or CISSP.

Responsibilities

Lead the Texas A&M University System Security Management Team.
Advise System members on export control, controlled unclassified information, and other security requirements.
Develop and maintain the System’s Counter-Intelligence Program.
Develop and maintain the System’s Insider Threat Program in accordance with federal guidelines.
Serve as the System’s primary point of contact with the Intelligence Community.
Plan, initiate, manage, and be accountable for physical, information, COMSEC, Special Access Programs, training, classification management, operations, and personnel security functions.
Ensure compliance with 32 Code of Federal Regulations Part 117, NISPOM, Intelligence Community and other government requirements, and System security policies and procedures.
Perform administrative security support for receipt, transmission, inventory, reproduction, disposition, and management of classified material.
Maintain System Secure Computing Enclaves in accordance with NIST 800-171 and other federal guidelines.
Work with Sponsored Research Services and Systems Contracts Offices to ensure compliance with contract and subcontract security requirements.
Manage implementation and development of System U.S. Government IT security requirements.
Comply with COMSEC requirements for receipt, custody, issuance, safeguarding, accounting, and destruction of COMSEC material.
Work with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency and other government agencies on contract and site/facility compliance.
Develop and implement security training, including initial, refresher, and continuing education; OPSEC; Insider Threat; and Foreign Travel programs, using the System’s Standard Practice Procedures and Standard Operating Procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Competitive health benefits.
Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
Defined benefit retirement plan with an employer contribution through the Teachers Retirement System of Texas (TRS).
If applicable, defined contribution retirement plan with an employer contribution through an approved ORP vendor.
Additional voluntary tax-deferred annuity options.
Tuition assistance.
Wellness programs to promote work/life balance.

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