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Security Specialist (Secondary)

Department of Energy
National Nuclear Security Administration
Office of Secure Transportation

Summary

This position serves as a Security Specialist in the Office of Secure Transportation (OST), Office of Technical Services, Safety and Security Division, Testing and Analysis Branch. The incumbent manages projects, develops data analysis guidance, evaluates protective force response plans, conducts nuclear security vulnerability assessments, develops Force-on-Force scenarios, and creates security policies, training, and survey methods.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$106,437 - $165,288 per year

The salary range reflects the lowest and highest possible rate. Salary will be based on the geographic location (to include locality pay).

Pay scale & grade
NQ 3
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Q Access Authorization
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
26-NA-15-OST-XA-01014-NNSA
Control number
885496900

Duties

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As a Security Specialist (Secondary), you will:

  • Direct, oversee, monitor, and assess day-to-day safeguards and security operations involving the protection of nuclear materials, sensitive or classified information, personnel, facilities, installations, and other sensitive materials, resources, and processes against criminal, terrorist, and hostile intelligence activities.
  • Lead and conduct inspections, surveillances, and surveys; perform technical analyses and performance testing; review and assess security plans, practices, and procedures; and provide technical guidance and recommendations on safeguards and security programs and operations for the protection of national security information and assets.
  • Lead, coordinate, and advise on vulnerability assessments (VAs) and the development and maintenance of the Site Security Plan (SSP). Direct and conduct VA activities using Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) vulnerability assessment techniques, principles, and procedures and the OST Active Security Risk Assessment Methodology. Develop, implement, and maintain updates to the VA and SSP in response to Design Basis Threat Policy requirements, DOE/NNSA VA guidance, and national intelligence information
  • Develop and assess protective force tactical response plans; direct and conduct vulnerability assessments of nuclear protection strategies; design and coordinate scenarios for Force-on-Force exercises, Limited Scope Performance Tests, and tabletop exercises; and develop and implement policies, procedures, organizational training requirements, and security survey methodologies.
  • Advise senior agency leadership on emerging developments, technologies, and advances in safeguards and security techniques; identify and recommend methods for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of security systems through system modifications and the application of evolving technologies; and present, substantiate, and defend complex technical concepts, findings, assessments, and recommendations to senior leaders, organizations, and other stakeholders.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Please limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, you will be disqualified.
  • Must have 3 years previous experience in a primary position as a Nuclear Materials Courier.
  • The individual will remain at their duty station if selected for the position.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

A qualified applicant must have one full year of specialized experience equivalent in responsibility and scope to the NV-03 NQ-02 pay band or GS-12 level as described in the vacancy announcement under specialized experience requirements. Must have 3 years previous experience in a primary position as a Nuclear Materials Courier. Specialized experience is performing OST Transportation Safeguards and Security mission operations and applying key principles of the OST Active Security Program and Federal Agent convoy operations to support the safe and secure transportation of nuclear materials.

Examples of Specialized Experience:

Examples of specialized experience (must meet 3 of the 4 listed below):
  • Application of Federal Agent Standard Operating Procedures and the Mission Essential Task List to assess Federal Agent operations for the safeguarding of nuclear materials during convoy operations.
  • Application of vulnerability assessment principles, methods, tools, and techniques to develop and analyze key security elements associated with the Transportation Safeguards System.
  • Participation in OST Active Security Program and Federal Agent convoy operations to apply and communicate key program principles and develop applicable program documentation.
  • Application of Federal laws, DOE/NNSA Orders and policies, and vulnerability assessment principles, methods, tools, and techniques to develop and analyze key security elements associated with the Transportation Safeguards System.


"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 education requirement for this position.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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. 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.

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.


  • Problem Solving
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Risk Management
  • 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'.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date ( 09/30/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13062482.

National Nuclear Security Administration

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Secure Transportation (OST), Office of Technical Services (OTS), Safety and Security Division (SSD), Testing and Analysis Branch (TAB), has an exciting employment opportunity for a Supervisory Security Specialist to support the OST mission. In this position, you will play a critical role in leading safeguards and security activities supporting the Transportation Safeguards System (TSS), including vulnerability assessments, Site Security Plan activities, and security performance evaluations. You will provide technical and supervisory leadership to assigned personnel and advise OST management on security vulnerabilities, risks, findings, and recommended corrective actions to ensure the continued safety and security of TSS operations.

Agency contact information

Joel Alvarez
Phone
202-660-2791
Email
joel.alvarez@nnsa.doe.gov
Address
NNSA - Office of Secure Transportation
24600 20th St SE
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5507
US

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