Security Specialist (SCI)

Washington Headquarters Services•Alexandria, VA

About The Position

The Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Management Division within the Security Enterprise Services Directorate (SESD), Washington Headquarters Services (WHS), Department of War (DoW), safeguards highly sensitive national security information and provides unified SCI governance across the enterprise. The Security Specialist directs day-to-day and long-range SCI security programs for WHS and its serviced components, applying Intelligence Community, ODNI, and DoW requirements through standardized workflows and local instructions covering personnel, information, industrial, and facility security. The position manages physical security, design, and accreditation records for WHS-cognizant Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) at the Pentagon, Mark Center, and commercial locations. It coordinates TEMPEST and Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) controls with specialized technical units in accordance with ICD 705 standards. The specialist administers core Special Security Officer (SSO) functions, including SCI visitor access certification, personnel security record reconciliation in DISS and Scattered Castles, and the secure transmission, transport, and safeguarding of classified materials. The role provides coordinated SSO and SCI support to Special Access Programs (SAPs), Controlled Access Programs (CAPs), and Alternative Compensatory Control Measures (ACCM) under co-utilization agreements, and reviews and approves SCI contractor security requirements using DD Form 254. It evaluates derogatory security information, coordinates multi-agency investigations into security spillages, unauthorized disclosures, and insider threats, and tracks mitigation measures through closure. The specialist also prepares strategic business plans, executive briefings, and talking papers for SESD and WHS leadership, and develops data-driven security workflows using analytics and automated technology platforms to improve auditability and compliance.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Must be registered for Selective Service or exempt if male and born after December 31, 1959.
Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
Must participate in the direct deposit program.
Subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
Subject to the DoD Priority Placement Program.
Must obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with SCI; a Special Background Investigation and favorable adjudication are required.
May be required to work outside normal duty hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or overtime.
May require up to 25% occasional travel away from the normal duty station for official business.
At the GS-13 level, requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 in federal service or the private sector, demonstrating management and coordination of complex, high-security information protection programs under national security and governmental directives; direction of personnel security and vetting operations, including access control lists, clearance verification, and personnel nondisclosure agreements; and management of the physical and technical security lifecycle of accredited high-security secure rooms or government-approved technical facilities in compliance with federal standards.
Education cannot be substituted for experience.
All qualifications and education requirements must be met by the announcement closing date and documented in the resume.
Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the announcement closing date and documented in the resume.

Responsibilities

Direct day-to-day and long-range SCI security programs for WHS and serviced components.
Translate Intelligence Community Directives, ODNI, and DoW policies into standardized workflows and local instructions for personnel, information, industrial, and facility security.
Manage physical security, design, and accreditation files for WHS-cognizant SCIFs at the Pentagon, Mark Center, and commercial sites.
Coordinate TEMPEST and Technical Surveillance Countermeasures controls with specialized technical units under ICD 705 standards.
Administer core SSO functions, certify SCI visitor access, and reconcile personnel security records in DISS and Scattered Castles.
Manage transmission, transport, and secure safeguarding of classified materials.
Provide synchronized SSO and SCI support to SAPs, CAPs, and ACCM under co-utilization agreements.
Review and approve SCI contractor security requirements using DD Form 254.
Analyze derogatory security data to conduct preliminary, risk-based personnel evaluations.
Coordinate multi-agency investigations into classified security spillage, unauthorized disclosures, and insider threats, and track mitigation measures to closure.
Formulate strategic business plans, executive briefings, and talking papers for SESD and WHS leadership.
Design data-driven security workflows using analytics and automated technology platforms to improve auditability and compliance.