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Security Specialist, GS-0080-14 MP

National Science Foundation
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Information and Resource Management (OIRM). The incumbent serves as the Special Security Officer for the organization and reports to the Deputy Office Head.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
04/27/2020 to 05/11/2020
Salary
$121,316 to - $157,709 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
Alexandria, VA
Few vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
IRM-2020-0003
Control number
566678900

Duties

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The incumbent is responsible for the development, oversight, administration, management, implementation, and enforcement of Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security policy and programs, and the operations of the Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF). Responsibilities are characterized as Foundation-wide and policy- oriented crossing Directorates and functions within the Foundation.  Specifically:

  • Serves as the Special Security Officer (SSO) in matters pertaining to the policy and oversight of SCI and the operations of the SCIF.
  • Serves as the subject matter expert and principle advisor responsible for planning, developing, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating an SCI security program and procedures.
  • Plans, develops, implements, and manages the SCI security program.
  • Prepares/consolidates/updates the facility accreditation plan and the tempest security checklist to maintain facility accreditation and operation.
  • Establishes and maintains effective and efficient security programs to ensure the necessary safeguarding/storing of sensitive and classified information, and the protection of facilities and equipment.
  • Interprets national policies, goals, and legislation in developing security guidance and regulations that apply to the conduct of diverse security and SCI security program operations.
  • Ensures guidance and adequate resources are provided to facilitate security program execution.
  • Conducts studies, analyses, and projects to develop information systems, methods, techniques, and short and long-range procedures for program development and implementation.
  • Executes tasks, requirements, schedules and timeline for accomplishment of the major program functions.
  • Provides assistance to leadership in the planning, programming, and budgeting cycle to resource security requirements and ensure adequate funding is provided for security program execution.
  • Provides advice, guidance and direction to security specialists on policy interpretation and application, resolution of particularly difficult problems and situations, implementation and application of new techniques and systems, and other areas where assistance is required.
  • Develops and presents security education and awareness materials to personnel.
  • Requests preliminary inquiries for incidents of possible compromise of classified information.
  • Resolves major conflicts in policy and program objectives.
  • Reviews security programs, identifies vulnerabilities, recommends improvements and countermeasures to offset weaknesses, and recommends priorities for security-related resource allocations.
  • Recommends methods for enhancing efficiency of SCI security programs and administers a system for reporting violations and recommending corrective actions.
  • Advises managers on new developments and advances in SCI security processes, methods, techniques, systems, and devices.
  • Implements evaluation systems in order to accurately assess the security program.
  • Supervises and ensures program requirements are executed in accordance with regulatory requirements, policies, and guidance.
  • Plans work to be accomplished, establishing priorities and preparing schedules for completion of work.
  • Coordinates, fosters, and initiates partnering activities with other appropriate federal/non-federal, state, and local agencies to ensure operational efficiencies.
  • Responds to findings and recommendations from various government oversight and advisory groups and modifies policies and procedures accordingly.
  • Represents NSF at meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences, and symposia pertaining to security, SCI, and SCIF operations.
  • Coordinates SCIF inspections and accreditation activities.
  • Serves as contracting officer's representative (COR).

Competencies:

  • Physical Security Administration
  • Personnel Security Administration
  • Information Security
  • Project Management
  • Policy Development
  • Communication
  • Teamwork/Collaboration
     

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt.
  • US citizenship.
  • Background Investigation.

It is NSF policy that NSF personnel employed at or IPAs detailed to NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign government talent recruitment programs.  Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment and referral to the Office of Inspector General. Foreign Talent Definitions

Experience refers to 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

You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date.

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent.

You must answer all job-related questions in the NSF eRecruit questionnaire.

All online applicants must provide a valid email address.  If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

This is a non-bargaining unit position..

Qualifications

For the GS-14 level, applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service overseeing Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), and the operations of the Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF). Examples of experience include: 1) serving as an expert advisor in planning, developing and overseeing the construction of a SCIF to include all building and IT requirements; 2) drafting, implementing and managing security policies related to SCI; 3) evaluating and validating the effectiveness and adequacy of security programs; 4) providing guidance and direction to security specialists and organizational leadership on analysis or subject matter expertise relating to security policy, procedures, directives, and memoranda.

In addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements described above, all candidates must also identify in their resume experience which demonstrates that the candidate meets the following selective factor.  Candidates who do not show such experience on their resume will no longer receive consideration for the position. 

Selective Factor: Planned, developed, coordinated, implemented, and evaluated a Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security program and procedures, and operated a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF).

Education

Education may enhance skills required for this position; however, no substitution of education for specialized experience may be made at this level.

Additional information

Relocation Expenses will not be paid.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP):
ICTAP and CTAP provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP or CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP or CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified you must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least “Very Good” on the questionnaire.  You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP or CTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form.
Additional information regarding ICTAP or CTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources

Veteran's Preference:
If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. For 5-point veterans' preference, please provide your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions. For 10-point veterans' preference, please submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the required documentation as specified on the SF-15.

NSF has determined that all of its positions are eligible for telework. Work suitable for telework depends on job duties; therefore, employees must receive approval from their supervisor for telework and have a telework agreement in place. Entering into a telework agreement is voluntary.

For additional information on the NSF eRecruit system, please visit our NSF eRecruit Applicant Guide.

This announcement may be used to fill like positions in other organizations within the National Science Foundation.

The Selected Candidate(s) may be subject to a background investigation. Employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance based on an SBI with eligibility for sensitive compartmented information (SCI).

How you will be evaluated

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

Ratings will be assigned based on your responses to the occupational questionnaire.  In some cases, additional assessment processes may be used.

Review your resume and responses carefully.  Responses that are not fully supported by the information in your application package may result in adjustments to your score.  A Human Resources Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the selecting official.

Applicants eligible for selection preference under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) must meet the agency definition of "well qualified." At NSF, this means a score of 90.0 or higher.

In the merit promotion selection process, due weight will be given to incentive awards and performance appraisals.


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