Security Specialist

Duties

Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
Develop, evaluate, maintain, and/or operate systems, policies, devices, procedures, and methods used for safeguarding information, property, personnel, operations, and materials in a classified area.
Develop and implement policies and procedures for analyzing and evaluating the character, background, and history of employees, candidates for employment, and other persons having or proposed to be granted access to classified information.
Oversee work in several of the following functional areas: personnel, physical, and industrial security in a classified environment. Evaluate the need for increased or decreased security staffing levels within the office.
Work on a team with other security professionals to ensure policy is followed across centers. Assist in contract changes and evaluation of new contract proposals.
Lead security staff in the office to keep daily operations flowing. Serve as Contracting Officer Representative/Alternate Contracting Officer Representative (COR/ACOR) for the security contract.
Identify the need for protection and security. Develops processes and maintains the physical means which are used for protection and security.
Develop, implement, and maintain procedural and technical methods to enhance physical protection.
Assess the reliability, loyalty, suitability, and trustworthiness of those persons who have access to sensitive or classified information, resources, and material.
Safeguard information and material whether it is in the direct custody of the Agency or in the hands of other governments, private businesses, educational institutions, or other persons or organizations.
Adhere to applicable laws as well as national, NASA, and other government agencies policies and requirements.
Foster a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence and innovation. Champion NASA's commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility to create an environment that promotes a commitment to safety, integrity, and teamwork.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Position subject to pre-employment security investigation.
You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
If selected, you will be required to complete a financial disclosure statement.
This position may require a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level:

Applying a wide range of concepts, principles, methodology, and practices in security administration, including personnel, physical, and/or industrial security;
Supporting current security procedures, operating policies, identifying new methods, and/or communicating approaches;
Providing recommendations for policy development and key decisions on short- and long-term security planning in a classified environment.

To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level:

Applying a wide range of concepts, principles, methodology, and practices in security administration, including personnel, physical, and industrial security;
Developing and implementing security procedures, operating policies, identifying new methods, and/or communicating approaches;
Providing recommendations and leading a security team for policy development and key decisions on short- and long-term security planning in a classified environment.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must:

- Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
- Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position
- Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in 'Required Documents'

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.

Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preference information on the FedsHireVets website.

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

Customer Service
Decision Making
Technical Competence
Personnel Security
Physical Security

NASA considers paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: Agency-FCCJ@NASA.gov.