Innovative Security Solutions - National Security Specialist

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Richland, WA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

PNNL's National Security Directorate (NSD) provides the tools, technologies, and training needed to prevent and counter acts of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), helping the United States secure its sources, materials, and borders. NSD experts directly support a range of U.S. government departments across critical national security mission areas, including safeguards and security, cybersecurity, emergency response, and counterintelligence. Within NSD, the Integrated Security Solutions (ISS) group focuses on understanding the full range of security domains and their interdependencies, applying that insight to develop new and effective ways to keep our nation safe.
A primary focus of this position is supporting the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) Office of Radiological Security (ORS), which works to secure high-activity radiological materials at civilian sites across the United States and internationally. Specifically, this role will support ORS domestic implementation teams in executing the new ORS Prevent mission, providing direct technical expertise as a National Security Specialist (NSS) at PNNL. The selected candidate will be organizationally based within the ISS group in NSD while remaining directly accountable to PNNL's ORS Program for project execution and reporting to the assigned ORS Project Manager for day-to-day project activities.
This position involves frequent, high-level engagement with senior government, political, and industry stakeholders, including leadership at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Headquarters, other U.S. government agencies, hospital administrators, university leadership, and regulators. It offers a meaningful opportunity to make a lasting, positive impact on the security of the nation by helping safeguard high-consequence materials and strengthen the protective posture of critical sites and assets.

Requirements

• BS/BA and 7 years of relevant experience -OR- MS/MA or higher and 5 years of relevant experience -OR- AA and 16 years of relevant experience -OR- HS/GED and 18 years of relevant experience
• Qualifying experience in the following areas will be counted: Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Homeland Security, intelligence community or military that supports national security or radiation detection/protection operations
• U.S. Citizenship
• Ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
• Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).
• Mandatory Requirements: The Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Physical Security Systems: Hands-on experience designing, implementing, configuring, and maintaining physical security components, including access control, intrusion detection, video surveillance, and delay/denial systems, preferably in support of high-consequence assets such as radiological materials or critical infrastructure.
• Security Planning & Assessment: Demonstrated experience developing site security plans and executing self-assessments, performance testing, and vulnerability discovery to identify and close gaps in protective postures.
• Training, Delivery & Mentoring: Proven ability to design and deliver technical training to diverse audiences, and to mentor staff and partners by building rapport and trusted relationships across all levels of an organization, from front-line operators to executive leadership.
• Cybersecurity Fundamentals: Working knowledge of cybersecurity principles as they relate to the integration, hardening, and protection of networked physical security systems and operational technology (OT) environments.
• Response & Law Enforcement Training: Experience providing response-focused training to law enforcement and security personnel through workshops, tabletop and field exercises, and on-site delivery of operational training.
• Federal Program Experience: Prior experience supporting the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), or comparable federal agencies, including effective communication with senior government officials, regulators, and program leadership
• Insider Threat Mitigation: Experience supporting insider threat programs, including risk assessment, behavioral indicators, and integration with broader physical and cyber security controls.
• Uncrewed Systems (UxS) Knowledge: Experience with uncrewed systems (aerial, ground, or maritime), including both UxS operations and counter-UxS strategies for protecting high-value targets and facilities.
• Professional Certifications: Industry-recognized security certifications such as Physical Security Professional (PSP) or Certified Protection Professional (CPP).

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise in the development, operation and implementation of security systems, operational security, nuclear material safeguards, vulnerability assessments, risk analysis, security policy, and critical infrastructure protection.
• Apply specialized knowledge of equipment and technologies deployed for physical security, WMD counter-proliferation, and interdiction operations.
• Develop and implement training, exercises, procedures, logistics strategies, concept of operations, planning, and assessment techniques and tools associated with the deployment, operation, maintenance, and sustainability of these systems.
• Conduct assessments, evaluations and analysis of these systems to support troubleshooting, forecast reliability and sustainability challenges, and identify opportunities for technological or operational enhancements.
• Utilize breadth and depth of knowledge related to national and international safeguards and security policies and guidelines in the development and implementation of security strategies.
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert for procurement, installation and maintenance of integrated systems, including identification of R&D opportunities associated with next generation security systems, counter-proliferation and interdiction technologies.
• Communicate with a wide range of federal, state, and local authorities regarding policies, requirements, and conduct of operations both domestically and internationally.

Benefits

• health insurance
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• robust telehealth care options
• several mental health benefits
• free wellness coaching
• health savings account
• flexible spending accounts
• basic life insurance
• disability insurance
• employee assistance program
• business travel insurance
• tuition assistance
• relocation
• backup childcare
• legal benefits
• supplemental parental bonding leave
• surrogacy and adoption assistance
• fertility support
• company-funded pension plan
• 401 (k) savings plan with company match
• 120 vacation hours per year
• ten paid holidays per year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior