Chief Special Security Officer, CSSO

QED Systems LLC•Arlington, VA

1d•$140,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

QED Systems, LLC is recruiting a Chief Special Security Officer, CSSO (Specialist) to join their team at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA, to support the HQDA G-3/5/7 Support Services contract. This role serves as the principal authority on all security operations for assigned Special Access Programs (SAPs) and integration with Controlled Access Programs (CAPs). The CSSO functions as the contractor counterpart to Government Special Security Officers (GSSO), managing the daily execution of multidisciplinary security requirements and providing guidance to the Senior Intelligence Officer (SIO). The position involves developing, implementing, and maintaining SAP and CAP security policies, procedures, and standards, and applying applicable security requirements to program operations. It also includes providing program and industrial security support to protect personnel, facilities, information, and assets, assessing threats and vulnerabilities, recommending risk-mitigation measures, and advising leadership on security risks. The role requires operating independently when making security recommendations and providing day-to-day information technology/knowledge management support. The CSSO will implement and maintain the industrial security program, ensuring compliance with various security regulations and manuals, and manage the lifecycle of Program Access Requests (PARs). Proficiency in security systems and tools like DISS, JADE, and Scattered Castles is necessary, as is conducting SAP and CAP indoctrinations, briefings, and debriefings. The position involves administering the organization’s Continuous Vetting (CV) program, coordinating clearance reciprocity, and collaborating on compartmented-area accreditation. It also requires conducting security self-inspections, audits, risk assessments, and supporting customer assessments. The CSSO will perform studies and analyses to improve security processes, identify and mitigate operational and programmatic risks, and develop incident-response and crisis-management plans. Additionally, the role involves developing and delivering security-awareness training, maintaining security records, and coordinating with various stakeholders including program teams, Government representatives, security vendors, and law enforcement. Vendor performance and compliance will be evaluated, and assigned security resources managed effectively.

Requirements

Detail-oriented with excellent technical, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to work within Government-provided software packages with emphasis on MS Office products, for example, Outlook, Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Ability to think critically and apply analytical methodologies to raw data to present clear and precise recommendations.
Ability to focus on Mission requirements while tracking multiple competing priorities.
Require minimal supervision in the fast-paced, critical environment of the Army Headquarters.
Proficient in the Enterprise Task Management Software Solution (ETMS2) (formerly Task Management Tool).
Ability to clearly articulate analysis through both oral and written communication.
Ability to provide executive, technical, and administrative support to senior leaders.
ACTIVE CLEARANCE LEVEL REQUIRED: Top Secret w/SCI eligibility, with the ability to pass and maintain a Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree desired.
Special Access Program Overview (CDSE)
Introduction to Special Access Programs (CDSE)
Special Access Program Mid-Level Security Management (CDSE)
Orientation to Special Access Programs, Security Compliance Inspections (CDSE)
Special Access Program Personnel Security Official (SPO) Training
ICD 705 Physical Security Construction Requirements for SAP

Responsibilities

Serves as the principal authority on all security operations for assigned Special Access Programs (SAPs) and integration with Controlled Access Programs (CAPs) for the assigned organization.
Manages the daily execution of multidisciplinary security requirements as the contractor counterpart to Government Special Security Officers (GSSO).
Provides guidance to and executes the directives of the Senior Intelligence Officer (SIO) for the facility.
Coordinates with the cognizant authority for oversight on all security programs.
Develop, implement, and maintain SAP and CAP security policies, procedures, and standards.
Apply applicable security requirements to program operations and coordinate with relevant stakeholders to support effective implementation.
Provide program and industrial security support to protect personnel, facilities, information, and other assets associated with the Program Security element.
Develop, implement, and oversee security policies, procedures, and initiatives; assess threats and vulnerabilities; recommend and implement risk-mitigation measures; and advise program and Government leadership on security risks and requirements.
Operate independently when making security recommendations to prevent unauthorized access to program or Government facilities and information.
Provide day-to-day information technology/knowledge management-related support for personnel supporting USASSE and, as required, other tenants at the USASSE-managed SCIF (Building 367).
Implement and maintain the industrial security program and ensure applicable program and host-facility security requirements are met.
Coordinate with program and Government personnel at all levels to ensure contract security compliance with the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), DoDM 5205.07, ICD 704, applicable DoD directives, instructions and manuals, DD Form 254, and program classification guides.
Manage the lifecycle of Program Access Requests (PARs) and nomination packages in accordance with DoDM 5205.07, Volume 2, and ICD 704.
Use DISS, JADE, Scattered Castles, and other applicable security systems and tools.
Conduct SAP and CAP indoctrinations, security briefings, nondisclosure agreement (NDA) processing, and debriefings.
Maintain accurate and authoritative billet and access rosters.
Administer the organization’s Continuous Vetting (CV) and reporting program in accordance with Security Executive Agent Directive 3 (SEAD 3), including tracking and processing required reports concerning foreign travel, foreign contacts, financial disclosures, and adverse information.
Coordinate clearance reciprocity and co-utilization between DoD SAPs and Intelligence Community (IC) CAPs.
Collaborate with control officers in support of compartmented-area accreditation.
Conduct security self-inspections, audits, risk assessments, vulnerability analyses, and other evaluations.
Support customer assessments, identify deficiencies and risks, and develop and implement corrective actions and risk-mitigation strategies.
Perform studies, analyses, and evaluations to assess and improve security processes and the security portfolio.
Identify and mitigate operational and programmatic risks and recommend standards and measures that support program capability objectives.
Develop and maintain incident-response and crisis-management plans.
Coordinate responses to security incidents and breaches, conduct post-incident analyses, prepare reports, and recommend or implement corrective actions.
Develop, deliver, and document security-awareness training.
Educate personnel on security policies, procedures, reporting responsibilities, and applicable security practices.
Maintain security records and documentation and monitor program performance and security risks.
Review relevant data and provide regular reports, assessments, and recommendations to senior leadership and other stakeholders.
Coordinate with program teams, Government representatives, security vendors and service providers, law enforcement, and other agencies.
Evaluate vendor performance and compliance and manage assigned security resources effectively.