Skip to main content
U.S. flag
 

SECURITY SPECIALIST

Department of Defense
Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency

Summary

Serves as the Regional Mission Action Officer (RMAO) providing critical industrial security oversight and technical expertise across the region. Directs NISP compliance, evaluates complex FOCI mitigation products, and manages security incident investigations involving classified U.S., FGI, and NATO materials. Performs regional quality assurance, tracks operational metrics, and collaborates with counterintelligence and HQ elements to protect vital defense assets.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$115,711 - $150,426 per year
Pay scale & grade
GG 13
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 Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
DCSA-27-13089825-P
Control number
888644300

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to: All U.S. Citizens; Retained Grade Preference (RGP) eligibles, and Military Reserve and National Guard Technician eligibles may also apply.

Videos

Duties

Help

As a SECURITY SPECIALIST you will be responsible for the following duties:

Oversight & Compliance: Serves as Regional Mission Action Officer; delivers technical expertise and industrial security oversight across regional field offices to ensure strict compliance with the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) and 32 CFR Part 117.

FOCI Mitigation: Evaluates and modifies complex FOCI products and MSU agreements; leads annual meetings and integrates with Counterintelligence and Industrial Policy experts to safeguard critical technologies and foreign government assets.

Incident Management: Analyzes and mitigates complex security incidents involving classified U.S., NATO, and Foreign Government Information (FGI); directs sanitization, containment, and protective countermeasures to prevent unauthorized disclosure.

Quality Assurance: Directs Quality Management Program (QMP) initiatives; performs trend analysis and product quality assessment reviews (QAR) across the region to identify operational gaps and deliver targeted field-training solutions. (243 chars)

Resource & Program Management: Coordinates regional resource allocation and day-to-day operations of assigned industrial security programs; monitors high-stakes requirements like the regional Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives (AA&E) program.

HQ & Stakeholder Liaison: Serves as the primary operational liaison between regional field elements and HQ; coordinates weekly reporting, represents the region in national working groups, and manages communications with cleared contractors.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a US citizen
  • Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. For more information http://www.sss.gov
  • Resume and supporting documents received by 11:59PM EST will be considered
  • This is a Drug Testing designated position
  • Position is a (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 1601
  • Work Schedule: Full Time
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • PCS (Permanent Change of Station): Not Authorized
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Not Required
  • Telework Eligibility: Supervisors may approve situational telework on a case-by-case, temporary basis for limited situations.
  • If selected, the incumbent must obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as indicated in job announcement.
  • The incumbent is required to attain the Security Fundamentals Professional Certifications within two years of entry on duty. Certification must be maintained in accordance with program rules.
  • The position requires the legal and personal qualification to operate a motor vehicle.

Qualifications

The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0000/security-administration-series-0080/ for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 10/26/2026

Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position.

You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade GS/GG-12 in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility.

Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience.

Specialized experience for this position includes: Utilizing independent application of 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM Rule) to execute security reviews, manage foreign influence, and safeguard critical national security assets. Specifically, applicants must have a proven track record of investigating complex security incidents involving classified U.S., Foreign Government, or NATO materials and enforcing corrective sanitization protocols. Additionally, candidates must have experience conducting quality assurance reviews, analyzing regional operational metrics to identify compliance gaps, and collaborating with counterintelligence stakeholders to mitigate risks at cleared contractor facilities.

Specifically you will be evaluated on the following competencies:
1. Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

2. Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.

3. Communications: Knowledge of the production, communication and dissemination of information and ideas to inform and entertain via written and oral.

4. Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

5. Leadership: Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL
In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria.

Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period.

If selected, Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for a DCIPS excepted service positions.

If selected, non-DCIPS candidates must acknowledge in writing that the position they have been selected for is in the excepted service and covered by DCIPS.

All Defense Intelligence positions under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) are in the excepted service by specific statue, 10 U.S.C. 1601. This position is in the excepted service and does not confer competitive status.

For more information on the DCIPS occupational structure click here.

For more information about career advancement in DCIPS click here.

This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment.You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.

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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the SME Resume Panel review.

Application Questionnaire: Applicants must complete a screen out questionnaire as part of the application process. Applicants identified as meeting the basic education requirement and minimum qualifications for the position may move on to the SME Resume Panel review.


EXCEPTED SERVICE PILOT REVIEW: Once the application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. All applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration.

To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT: Your complete application package (resume/supporting documentation and online technical questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online questionnaire. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Top ranked candidates will be referred to the selecting official for further review and consideration.

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified'.

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

All eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency

Our Mission
Through vetting, industry engagement, education, and counterintelligence and insider threat support, secure the trustworthiness of the United States Government's workforce, the integrity of its cleared contractor support, and the uncompromised nature of its technologies, services, and supply chains.

Our Vision
DCSA's elite security experts illuminate national security risks to empower faster, smarter decision-making that protects American innovation and resilience to enable mission success.

DCSA Strategic Execution Plan
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency stands at the intersection of government-wide trusted workforce, national security, and industrial base protection. Guided by the Secretary of War's National Defense Strategy, Deputy Secretary's Warfighting Acquisition Transformation efforts, and Trusted Workforce 2.0, our mission is to deliver data-driven, threat-informed, and customer-trusted security services at scale.

The FY2026 - 2028 DCSA Strategic Execution Plan defines six strategic priorities for the agency:
  1. Deliver NBIS
  2. Deploy NI2 to Modernize Industrial Security
  3. Modernize and Sustain Trusted Workforce Determinations
  4. Rebuild the Workforce Compact
  5. Operate as a Customer-Centric Business
  6. Drive Audit-Ready Integration and Agency Efficiency with AI

Agency contact information

DCSA Servicing Team
Phone
614-693-4444
Email
DHRS-DDCSA@dla.mil
Address
Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
27130 Telegraph Road
Quantico, VA 22134
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.dcsa.mil

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.