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Security Specialist

Department of State
Department of State - Agency Wide

Summary

This position is in the Office of Special Programs, High Threat Programs, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS/HTP/SP).  You will serve as a Security Specialist (Special Operations Coordinator, SOC) and the Bureau's primary liaison with the United States Special Operations Command's (USSOCOM) Integrated Survey Program (ISP).

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/27/2026 to 02/09/2026
Salary
$121,785 to - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Rosslyn, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - May require domestic and international travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - ICTAP eligibles only.
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Announcement number
M/DS-MPE-2026-0002
Control number
855415500

Duties

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  • Coordinates the prioritization of, approvals for, and conduct of surveys of U.S. diplomatic facilities overseas.
  • Advises on modifications to the program's survey methodology, scope, collection mechanisms, and methods of dissemination.
  • Liaises between stakeholders to manage, share, and streamline information, training, and resources related to contingency planning.
  • Provides technical support to management to ensure timely, appropriate, and effective military assistance during heightened hostilities, crises, and evacuations at high threat overseas posts.
  • Facilitates diplomatic passport issuance, ensuring compliance with Department policies and procedures pertaining to the issuance and control of Diplomatic Passports.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
  • Obtain/maintain eligibility to access Sensitive Compartmented Information
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.

NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement.

Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F.

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience assessing asset depth and capability capacity to develop surveys to improve mitigation outcomes. 
  • Experience analyzing data to recommend changes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Experience coordinating efforts with multiple stakeholders.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

  • For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or OAA@state.gov. 
  • If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. 
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume limited to two pages will be conducted and compared against your responses to the assessment questions to determine if you are qualified for this job.  Note:  Responses to questions that are not fully supported by the information in your resume may result in adjustments to your rating. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements, as described in the “Qualifications” section of this announcement, will be assigned a score between 70 and 100.  The assessment is used to measure the degree in which your background matches the competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:

  • Knowledge of security concepts, regulations, and procedures.
  • Skill in assessing the effectiveness of crisis management efforts.
  • Skill in program coordination.
  • Ability to liaise with a diverse group of stakeholders.
  • Skill in oral and written communication sufficient to prepare and present reports.

Agency Career and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP and ICTAP) candidates must be rated "Well Qualified" for the position and earn a score of at least 85 (when applicants are rated in a range of 70 to 100) to receive consideration for selection priority.  Applicants found to be among the top qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview. 


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