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Security Specialist

Department of Energy
National Nuclear Security Administration
Associate Administrator for Defense Nuclear Security (NA-70)

Summary

This position is part of the Office of Defense Nuclear Security, National Nuclear Security Administration. A successful candidate in this position will serve as a Security Specialist, Certified TEMPEST Technical Authority (CTTA), providing support to NA-70 Technical Security Program, assisting in the implementation of NNSA/DOE safeguards and security policy to serve as a resource throughout NNSA/DOE in safeguards and security program implementation, and resolve any policy issues.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/20/2026 to 03/26/2026
Salary
$121,785 to - $187,093 per year
Pay scale & grade
NQ 3
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Q Access Authorization
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-NA-70-XA-00417-GOV
Control number
862033300

Duties

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As a Security Specialist, you will:

  • Assist the Technical Security Program Manager in the leadership and oversight of the NNSA Technical Security Program, which includes Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM), TEMPEST, Wireless Security (WISEC), and Protective Distribution Systems (PDS).
  • Ensure program activities align with NNSA objectives and security policies.
  • Serve as a Certified TEMPEST Technical Authority (CTTA) for NNSA.
  • Provide authoritative technical guidance, conduct assessments, and ensure compliance with national and departmental TEMPEST standards and policies to protect classified information from compromising emanations.
  • Coordinate the execution of TSCM, WISEC, and PDS program elements across NNSA sites.
  • Liaise with site personnel, provide technical support, and help develop and implement policies and procedures to mitigate technical security risks.
  • Provide programmatic support related to technical inspections, surveys, integrity studies and assessments.
  • Make recommendations to Technical Security Program Manager regarding ways to minimize vulnerabilities that could compromise classified and sensitive information by technical means. Review and provide recommendations concerning DOE/NNSA policy and guidance on technical matters.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Subject to Random Drug Testing
  • This position requires a Polygraph Test
  • Must pass a pre-employment drug test.
  • Favorable suitability determination required.
  • Financial Disclosure is required.
  • Must be able to obtain/maintain a Q level Security Clearance.
  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
  • Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity which will require that you provide two forms of identification.
  • May be required to successfully complete a one (1) year probationary period. Employees serving on a probationary period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
  • Please limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, you will be disqualified.
Probationary periods are required for new employees appointed to competitive service positions for the first time; or reinstated employees who return to Federal service after a break in service of 30-days or more and who have not completed a probationary period will need to complete the requirement.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA Demonstration Project pay band or GS grade level in the Federal service, i.e., NQ-02 pay band or GS-12 grade level. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: applying security management procedures to oversee, evaluate, and manage safeguards and physical security systems or programs; evaluating and implementing operational aspects of sensitive security program applications involving technical security devices; experience providing guidance and advise senior management on safeguards and security policy or primary or secondary programs.


Examples of Specialized Experience:

  1. Experience with leading, reviewing, or implementing national and agency policy requirements (e.g. 32 CFR ยง 2001.51, National Security Directive (NSD)-42, NSD -47, IC Directive (ICD) 702, IC Standard (ICS) 705-1, DOE O 226.1B, DOE 470.6, etc.).
  2. Experience performing a range of analytical and administrative tasks designed to provide advanced developmental experience in the broad field of security administration, or in a specialized security functional area.
  3. Experience providing guidance and advice to senior management on safeguards and security policy or primary or secondary programs.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section. If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the definition of "well qualified" which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience at the NQ-03 pay band/GS-13 grade level.

Additional information

  • Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
  • If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.
  • More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
  • All positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
  • All males born after December 31,1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
  • A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified applicant in accordance with agency policy and applicable regulations.
  • In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
EEO Policy: Click HERE.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Click HERE.
Veterans Information: Click HERE.
Telework: Click HERE.
Selective Service Registration: Click HERE.

Information about the NNSA Demonstration project can be found by clicking HERE.

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.

THE APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS WILL BE IN TWO STAGES:

Minimum Qualifications:
Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Office will review the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications.

Structured Resume Review: The Human Resources Office/Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review the first two pages of your resume to determine your technical qualifications.

Additional documentation (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) may not be considered.

A quality review will then be conducted by the HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME). Your application is rated based on the extent and quality of your experience, education (if applicable to the job), and training described in your online resume/questionnaire as related to the duties of this position. The quality categories are usually defined as "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified" and "Qualified".

Your application and resume shall demonstrate that you possess the following Competencies. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the Competencies identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application.

  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Security
  • Technical Competence
  • Writing


If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified'.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the link below.
https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12913822

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