Personnel (PERSEC) Security Representative

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

About The Position

The Personnel Security Representative provides personnel security subject matter expertise and support to Program Security Representatives and Special Security Representatives within the Program Security Group at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. The role supports multiple programs and customers in a dynamic research and development environment, covering Collateral, Special Access Program (SAP), and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) classified programs. The representative helps ensure effective leadership of a multifaceted security portfolio and performs personnel security actions in unclassified, SAP, and SCI facilities. The position requires handling personnel security records, access documentation, training, incident reporting, continuous evaluation tracking, compliance inspection support, and security-status onboarding and offboarding. The representative works with personnel at all levels and is expected to exercise sound judgment, professionalism, organization, and independence in a fast-paced transactional environment. APL describes a welcoming workplace that supports employee growth, connection, creativity, and work/life balance. The position is based at APL’s campus in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Security, Information Technology, Business Administration, or another relevant field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience may be substituted.
Exposure to Special Access Program security, including relevant DoD Manuals (5200.01 volumes 1–4, 5205.07 volumes 1–4, and 5205.11), Intelligence Community Directives, NISPOM, and NISPOM Supplement regulatory information.
Excellent customer service, speaking, and writing skills.
Demonstrated experience working in teams and matrix environments.
Ability to collaborate with peers on security policy and procedures.
Strong working knowledge of DISS/NBIS databases.
Results-oriented and able to work independently with minimal direction; self-starter and effective group contributor.
Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance by the start date and ultimately obtain TS/SCI clearance; eligibility requires U.S. citizenship and successful completion of a government security clearance investigation.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Industrial Security, Business Administration, Information Systems, or a related field.
Direct experience working with compartmented and/or special program security officers.
Thorough understanding of Department of Defense organizational structures.
Experience working in an organization with reporting responsibilities to multiple sponsors or authorities.
Information systems skills.

Responsibilities

Provide personnel security expertise and support to Program Security Representatives and Special Security Representatives within the Program Security Group.
Analyze and validate program nomination and access documentation for timely submission to government agencies.
Develop and manage electronic personnel security portfolios.
Liaise with senior management, program and project managers, cleared staff, and non-cleared staff.
Manage Annual Security Refresher training for cleared staff, including creating, revising, disseminating, and tracking security-related information.
Create and disseminate security incident reports to applicable security staff.
Develop and maintain a tracking mechanism for cleared staff Continuous Evaluation status.
Provide personnel security oversight during sponsor compliance inspections.
Develop and maintain cleared staff personnel security records in electronic repositories, including Service Now, SIMS, AIVI-Self Reporting Tool, Foreign Travel Tool, DISS, Learning Management System, SharePoint, Scattered Castles, and JADE.
Perform personnel security actions within unclassified, SAP, and SCI facilities.
Process onboarding and offboarding of security classification special access statuses.
Apply analytical, organizational, relationship oversight, and team-building skills while operating with minimal supervision.