Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results
 

Security Specialist (Physical Security)

Department of Energy
National Nuclear Security Administration
Livermore Field Office

Summary

This position is in the Livermore Field Office. A successful candidate in this position will serve as Security Specialist (Physical Security), with responsibility for managing, planning, executing, and evaluating safeguards and security programs/operations for a major segment of a national security or defense program of critical importance to accomplishing the NNSA Mission. Performs oversight of assigned safeguards and security programs implemented by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/07/2026 to 04/16/2026
Salary
$133,060 - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
NQ 3
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Livermore, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
3
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Q Access Authorization
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-NA-LL-XA-00456-DEU
Control number
864244400

Duties

Help

As a Security Specialist (Physical Security), you will:

  • Direct, monitor, and evaluate day-to-day safeguards and security operations concerned with the protection of special nuclear materials, sensitive or classified information, personnel, facilities, installations, or other sensitive materials, resources, or processes against criminal, terrorist, or hostile intelligence activities.
  • Lead or conduct inspections, surveillances, and surveys; perform technical analysis and performance testing, and evaluates security plans, practices, and procedures to evaluate and advise on safeguards and security programs and operations for the protection of national security information and assets.
  • Lead or participate in the formulation of the safeguards and security budget for a site office or a security functional area throughout the NNSA complex.
  • Perform oversight duties using assurance processes including assessments, corrective action/issues management, performance measurement and operating experience (including lessons learned, best business practices) to conduct system analysis of the contractor's performance in assigned areas of oversight responsibility.
  • Ensure safeguards and security equities are addressed during annual Integrated Assessment Plan development, coordinating these efforts with the Assistant Manager for Safeguards and Security (AMSS) Survey Leader.
  • Assist the AMSS and Survey Leader in the planning and execution of the annual federal Safety and Security Survey.
  • Apply risk management principles to evaluate and recommend effective and efficient security controls to mitigate assigned program risk.
  • Advise top-level agency managers on new developments and advances in safeguards and security techniques and recommends methods for enhancing efficiency of security systems through modifications and applications of evolving technology.
  • Prepare correspondence, reports, and briefing materials for both internal and external audiences.
  • Serve as a team member on performance and compliance-based assessments, program reviews, self-assessments and audits focused on LFO and contractor security program operations. Assist in development, interpretation and evaluation of security regulations and policies.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • 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 may be terminated at any time during the probationary for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service
  • Subject to Random Drug Testing.
  • 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.
  • Must be able to obtain certification in the DOE's Technical Qualification Program (TQP) within 18 months of start date. This position is covered by the Technical Qualification Program (TQP), which requires the incumbent to acquire and demonstrate competencies identified in the TQP Functional Area Qualification and Field Office specific standards and requires certification of the competencies by NNSA supervision and TQP qualifying officials. https://www.energy.gov/ehss/downloads/technical-qualification-program-accreditation-incentives-memorandum-nnsa?
  • 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, EN/NN-03 or GS-12 level. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: 1) applying security management procedures to oversee, evaluate, or manage safeguards and physical security systems or programs, ensuring program compliance; 2) analyzing findings of security surveys, determining adequacy of security controls or procedures; and, 3) providing guidance and advice to senior management on safeguards and security policy, presenting recommendations for program improvement.

"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

Education may not be substituted for experience. Do not submit transcripts; they will not be considered.

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 identified above.

Structured Interview: A structured interview is an assessment method designed to measure job-related competencies of candidates by systematically inquiring about their behavior in past experiences and/or their proposed behavior in hypothetical situations. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements will be invited to participate in a structured interview to be conducted by a Subject Matter Expert panel, who will assign a score for each of the required Competencies listed below, based on responses to the interview questions. Applicants will be placed in one of three categories. Those applicants scoring the highest will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

The quality categories are usually defined as "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified" and "Qualified". Veterans Preference eligible candidates will be listed at the top of whichever category your score places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher.

Your application and resume must demonstrate that you possess the Competencies listed below. 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. Additional documentation (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) may not be considered.

  • Communication
  • Security
  • Technical Competence


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/12929344

National Nuclear Security Administration

Would you like to play a key role in a critical mission? If so, then the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), NNSA - Livermore Field Office has the perfect employment opportunity for a Security Specialist (Physical Security). This position is located at the Livermore Field Office (LFO). Livermore Field Office manages the contract for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), which conducts operations in support of national security including nuclear weapons stockpile management, ensuring the safety and reliability of the nuclear weapons stockpile and its maintenance, nuclear non-proliferation activities, energy research, and advances in science and technology.

Agency contact information

Crystal Wells
Email
crystal.wells@nnsa.doe.gov
Address
NNSA - Livermore Field Office
24600 20th St SE
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5507
US

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.