Facility Security Officer

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, AR

21h

About The Position

The Facility Security Officer (FSO) reports to the Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation and manages the University of Arkansas’ classified research security program across all relevant university sites. The FSO supervises and directs security measures necessary to implement sound, compliant procedures; ensures adherence to the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM/32 CFR §117); and works closely with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). The FSO leads institutional efforts to prevent, detect, and mitigate malign foreign influence in research and serves as the Facility Security Officer (FSO), Contract Special Security Officer (CSSO), University Key Management Personnel (KMP), alternate Insider Threat Program Senior/Special Officer (ITPSO), and an active member of the Insider Threat Working Group. The FSO interfaces with prime contractors and government customers on security-related issues and provides expert guidance to university stakeholders on classified operations and research security compliance.

Requirements

• U.S. citizen - due to access to controlled facilities and environments
• Current U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance or current Secret clearance with the ability to obtain Top Secret
• Completion of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) Facility Security Officer Course for Possessing Facilities (required upon hire)
• Master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education and At least eight (8) years of direct relevant experience in intelligence, counterintelligence, or information security, including management, training, compliance, and protection of U.S. Government–controlled information with progressively increasing responsibility
• OR
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education and At least ten (10) years of direct relevant experience in intelligence, counterintelligence, or information security, including managerial and compliance responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Government Relations, Cybersecurity, Information Security, Engineering, Legal Studies, International Studies or related field
• Master's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Security, Engineering, Legal Studies, International Studies, or a related discipline
• Eight (8)+ years of experience with DoD security/industrial security programs
• Experience in an FSO/AFSO or similar leadership role
• Experience with DoD administrative management (database management, suspense tracking, monthly reporting)
• Experience working within a university research environment and collaborating with federal agencies/prime contractors
• Prior service as an FSO, CSSO, or leadership in research security compliance
• Experience developing and implementing research security policies and procedures
• Advanced knowledge of U.S. government security regulations (NISPOM/32 CFR §117), IC directives, and CI/cybersecurity requirements
• Ability to interpret and implement security requirements from customer contracts and DD-254s; working knowledge of NISS and personnel vetting systems (DISS, formerly JPAS)
• Working knowledge of ACS, badging, and CCTV
• Familiarity with physical construction standards for restricted/closed areas
• Significant skill with classified information management (accountability, transfers, marking)
• Familiarity with periodic/semi-annual self-inspections IAW NISPOM
• Ability to build self-inspection and OPSEC programs and mitigate risk
• Ability to conduct security incident/violation investigations, produce reports, and implement corrective actions; support DCSA or customer security assessments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; effective presenter to diverse audiences
• Strong relationship-building, diplomacy, and negotiation skills; ability to advise cross-business teams and subcontractor security services.
• Demonstrated discretion, strong ethics, and sound judgment in handling sensitive/classified matters
• Ability to mentor and lead research security personnel and work effectively on integrated, cross-functional teams
• Ability to identify problems, analyze courses of action, and implement solutions in dynamic operational environments with shifting priorities
• Ability to compile data and deliver program metrics/performance highlights
• Experience developing and managing an operating budget; ensure projects meet schedule and budget targets

Responsibilities

• Manage the university’s classified security program to ensure full compliance with NISPOM/32 CFR §117, Intelligence Community Directives (ICDs), counterintelligence and cybersecurity laws, and federal contract requirements.
• Interpret and implement classified security requirements in support of sponsored research; develop processes for reporting, auditing, training, incident response, and continuous monitoring.
• Lead coordination with DCSA; prepare for and support government or customer security assessments, reviews, and inspections.
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to university leadership, faculty, staff, and students regarding classified operations, foreign influence, and research security.
• Provide clear guidance on security doctrine and contract-imposed requirements; recommend policy and procedural modifications as appropriate.
• Collaborate with federal law enforcement and government partners on confidential and sensitive security matters.
• Manage security aspects of U.S. Government classified programs; interface with prime contractors and government customers on security issues.
• Oversee DD-254 (Contract Security Classification Specification) issuance/flow-down and related industrial security documentation.
• Administer industrial security systems, including NISS and personnel security systems (e.g., DISS, formerly JPAS).
• Oversee access control systems (ACS), badging, and CCTV in accordance with physical security standards for restricted/closed areas.
• Serve as alternate ITPSO and contribute to Insider Threat Working Group activities.
• Develop and manage an effective security awareness, training, and education program.
• Conduct required initial briefings, debriefings, indoctrinations, refresher training, and pre-/post-foreign travel briefings.
• Conduct risk assessments for international agreements, visa applicants, foreign national hires, and other engagements to identify potential/known malign foreign influence.
• Develop and manage self-inspection and OPSEC programs to identify risks and implement mitigation to acceptable levels; perform periodic/semi-annual self-inspections IAW NISPOM.
• Conduct security incident/violation investigations; produce final reports and corrective action plans.
• Compile security program data and provide metrics and performance highlights to leadership.
• Coordinate with the Office of Sponsored Programs and relevant units to review proposals, agreements, and contracts involving classified or controlled information.
• Advise cross-functional security teams and subcontractor security services on tasks and complex problem resolution.
• Develop and manage an operating budget; ensure projects are completed on schedule and within budget.
• Provide training, assign tasks, and offer input to performance evaluations of other staff as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Benefits

• university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance
• tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• immediate leave accrual
• a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees