Security Specialist

Federal Emergency Management Agency•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Security Specialist manages and evaluates the agency’s Operations Security (OPSEC) program, including its goals, policies, procedures, and performance measures. The role provides strategic guidance to senior leaders, program offices, and security stakeholders; assesses and identifies operational vulnerabilities; and recommends practical mitigation measures. The specialist coordinates OPSEC requirements with personnel, information, physical, industrial, cybersecurity, intelligence, and operational security programs, and monitors corrective actions to continually improve the program based on assessments, trends, mission needs, and threat conditions. FEMA employees have recurring emergency management responsibilities. This position may be recalled at any time for emergency operations, which can involve irregular hours, work away from the official duty station, and duties beyond the position description. Emergency-support travel may last weeks to months, may come with little advance notice, and may require relocation to austere and operationally challenging sites. The selected employee must be able to deploy to locations throughout the United States and its territories for extended periods. The selected employee must attend a three-week, in-person training course in Emmitsburg, Maryland, within six months of onboarding; FEMA covers travel expenses. The position requires a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) background investigation and the ability to obtain and maintain a government credit card. A one-year probationary period applies to new federal competitive service employees. The role may be subject to random drug testing if designated as a Testing Designated Position.

Requirements

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the federal government, or comparable experience in state or local government or the private sector.
Specialized experience must include interpreting and adapting agency policies and regulations and recommending changes; identifying operational vulnerabilities and recommending risk-mitigation measures; and providing authoritative guidance to senior leaders and program offices.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must successfully pass and maintain a background investigation for Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
Selective Service registration is required, if applicable.
Current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements, including 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Government credit card.
Must be able to deploy with little or no advance notice to anywhere in the United States and its territories for an extended period.
Must attend a three-week, in-person training course in Emmitsburg, Maryland, within six months of onboarding.
Must complete an Optional Form 306 and certify the accuracy of application information before entering on duty if given a conditional offer.
New federal competitive service employees are subject to a one-year probationary period.
May be subject to random drug testing if the position is designated as a Testing Designated Position.

Responsibilities

Manage and evaluate the agency Operations Security (OPSEC) program, including program goals, policies, procedures, and performance measures.
Provide guidance to senior leaders, program offices, and security stakeholders.
Conduct assessments, inspections, and staff visits to identify vulnerabilities and recommend mitigation measures.
Coordinate OPSEC requirements with personnel, information, physical, industrial, cybersecurity, intelligence, and operational security programs.
Monitor corrective actions and continuously improve the OPSEC program based on assessments, trends, mission needs, and threat conditions.
Support emergency management operations, including deployment when recalled, potentially with little or no advance notice and for extended periods.