Security Specialist (DOT Executive Asst II)

Maryland Department of Transportation • Baltimore City, MD

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Maryland Port Administration (MPA), a 203-employee transportation business unit within the Maryland Department of Transportation, is seeking a Security Specialist to help protect its people, facilities, and operations at the Port of Baltimore. The position serves as an alternate Facility Security Officer and supports maritime-security compliance, contracted guard and law-enforcement operations, drills, audits, inspections, incident inquiries, and emergency responses. It also builds partnerships with federal, state, local, labor, and industry stakeholders and manages federal port-security grant projects from application through closeout. The role develops practical security policies and training and translates complex requirements into effective solutions in a fast-paced port environment.

The current vacancy is at Dundalk Marine Terminal. The position reports directly to the Director of Security. Employees must be available for duty at hours required to maintain continuous facility operations, may be called in, and must maintain a reliable communication link for emergency call-back requirements. This is an essential-employee position.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, emergency management, homeland security, security management, public or business administration, or a related field. Additional qualifying security or law-enforcement work experience may substitute year-for-year for the required education.
• Four years of relevant security and/or law-enforcement experience, including at least two years of specialized experience in security programs, compliance, contractor oversight, emergency response, investigations, or grant management.
• Full-time U.S. Armed Forces service may substitute year-for-year for the required experience when duties are directly related to specified security, force protection, law-enforcement, emergency-management, antiterrorism, installation-protection, investigation, or security-operations work.
• Possess and maintain a Class C motor vehicle operator’s license valid in Maryland.
• Obtain and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) during the probationary period.
• Obtain a Facility Security Officer certification within 90 days of hire.
• Be available for duty at hours required to maintain continuous facility operations, including possible call-in, and maintain a reliable communication link for emergency call-back requirements.
• Agree to policies and procedures relating to essential-employee status.
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an alternate Facility Security Officer and support compliance with the Maritime Transportation Security Act, the SAFE Port Act, 33 CFR, applicable State regulations, and the Facility Security Plan.
• Assess security needs, prepare Facility Security Plan amendments, update procedures, and recommend corrective actions for identified deficiencies.
• Coordinate inspections, audits, drills, and exercises, including preparation for the annual U.S. Coast Guard security inspection and completion of required security audits and readiness activities.
• Oversee daily security and law-enforcement operations at port facilities, including contracted guard staffing, deployment, post assignments, certifications, equipment, vehicles, and compliance with post orders and contract requirements.
• Evaluate contractor performance and expenditures through operational inspections, report and performance-data reviews, staffing and billed-service verification, and direction of corrective measures.
• Plan and coordinate incident and emergency response for security events, special operations, heightened threat conditions, and other situations affecting port facilities and continuity of operations.
• Conduct and support security inquiries involving incidents, suspicious activity, policy violations, or criminal matters, and prepare findings, recommendations, and after-action assessments.
• Build and maintain operational partnerships with federal, State, and local law-enforcement agencies, regulatory authorities, terminal tenants, labor organizations, contractors, and maritime-industry stakeholders.
• Manage federal Port Security Grant Program projects, including research, application development, investment justifications, budgets, reporting, audits, and grant closeout.
• Develop guidance and deliver security training by preparing policies, procedures, briefings, reports, and instruction on active-threat response, anti-terrorism, vehicle-borne explosive devices, theft prevention, access control, and related security requirements.

Benefits

• A selection of high-quality boots is provided at no out-of-pocket cost, with replacement covered once per year for eligible options.
• Continued training and development provided by the MPA.
• Tuition reimbursement and a no-cost, no-debt educational program are available under MPA procedures and TSHRS policy.
• MDOT offers a generous and competitive benefits package.

What This Job Offers

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