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Security Specialist

Department of State
Department of State - Agency Wide

Summary

This position is in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 50 § 3024(v) and appointments are made without regard to the requirements of the Competitive Service by laws, Executive order, or OPM regulations.  

This position is located in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Front Office (INR/FO).  The incumbent serves as the primary on Controlled Access Program (CAP) management and acts as an agency-level Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Determination Authority.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/24/2026 to 03/30/2026
Salary
$143,913 - $187,093 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework only
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
S/INR-EXC-2026-0007
Control number
862083500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Department of State employees within the Bureau of Intelligence and Research only

Duties

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  • Administers and enforces Controlled Access Programs (CAPs) throughout the Department as the HOICE's appointed authority in accordance with Intelligence Community Directive 906.
  • Serves as the Department's point of contact for all personnel, physical, and information security issues related to CAP execution and provides expert oversight and direction.
  • Manages Department-wide SCI adjudication program as an agency-level SCI Determination Authority, exercising primary responsibility for approval, suspension, revocation, or denial of access to Sensitive Compartmented Information.
  • Provides expert consultation to senior leadership including the HOICE and Senior Review Group (SRG) on CAP policy, management, and security issues.
  • Develops new security techniques and approaches to resolve complex problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted security methods or procedures.

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

Qualifications

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 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 in intelligence community security programs, including comprehensive knowledge of Controlled Access Programs, Intelligence Community Directives (particularly ICD 906 and ICD 704), and SCI adjudicative guidelines. Experience serving as a technical authority applying new theories to security problems requiring innovative solutions.
  • Experience managing complex security adjudication processes involving eligibility determinations for access to highly sensitive compartmented information. Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment in analyzing security concerns, mitigating circumstances, and applying whole-person concepts in making access determinations with national security implications.
  • Experience developing, interpreting, and implementing security policiesat the agency or department level, including experience coordinating with Intelligence Community agencies and senior officials. Experience providing authoritative guidance on security matters and resolving conflicts between security requirements and operational objectives.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-14 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 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.

For this announcement, all applicants will be assessed to determine if they meet the qualifications for this position, specifically the education, specialized experience, and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) necessary to perform the work of the position. All applications that meet the required qualifications and determined to be best-qualified will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.

Your resume limited to two pages serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following KSAs and other characteristics that are relevant to the duties of this position and must be fully supported by information in your resume:

  • Knowledge of CAPs, security policy requirements to function as technical authorities in assignments requiring the application of new theories and developments to security problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted security methods, technology, or procedures
  • Knowledge of, ICD 906, SCI adjudicative guidelines and Intelligence Community Directives
  • Ability to consult with IC agencies when required regarding procedures for processing, handling CAP information
  • Ability to perform independent judgments concerning the interpretation and implementation of existing security policy
  • Skilled in advising top level agency security and subject-matter managers on new developments and advances in security techniques

Veterans:  Although consideration of Veterans’ Preference is not required under 50 U.S.C. § 30240(v) to the extent it would be under the competitive service; the Department of State considers veterans' preference as a positive factor in the hiring process.


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Department of State - Agency Wide

The U.S. Department of State, our country’s lead foreign policy agency, provides employees with a dynamic international career whether at home or abroad and unique professional development opportunities.  Each day, our employees make a difference as they advance the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity, through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance.  We embrace our talented workforce which reflects the personal, professional, and educational strengths of our country. 

Named one of America’s Best Employers by Forbes, we offer a workplace that values and rewards leadership, collaboration, innovation, and personal and professional development. Visit careers.state.gov to learn more about what it's like to work at the U.S. Department of State, what the agency does, the wide range of careers this agency offers, and the benefits available to employees.

Agency contact information

Tony Rice
Phone
000-000-0000
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
RiceTL@state.gov
Address
U.S. Department of State
Not accepting applications by Mail
Charleston, South Carolina 29405
United States

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