Security Specialist

About the role

At the GS-12 Full Performance Level, this position performs a wide range of physical security duties. The role provides advice and guidance to management, employees, and security staff, and independently resolves security issues within established policies and procedures.

The GS-09 and GS-11 levels are developmental/career-ladder positions leading to GS-12. At these levels, assignments are not as broad or inclusive as those at the full performance level. Supervisors or higher-graded analysts provide general instructions, furnish advice, and assist in solving problems. Work is reviewed upon completion for adequacy and compliance with policies, with the extent of guidance and review decreasing as the employee develops.

Consideration for career-ladder promotion is at the manager’s discretion and is based on the existence of higher-level work, the employee’s ability to perform that work, administrative requirements, and current agency or organizational restrictions.

Responsibilities

• Conducts physical security assessments and inspections at agency facilities to ensure compliance with federal standards and agency policies; identifies vulnerabilities and recommends corrective actions.
• Develops, implements, and monitors security policies, procedures, and programs related to access control, intrusion detection, video surveillance, and facility protection.
• Provides technical advice and guidance to management, staff, and contractors on security requirements, best practices, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Supports the installation, maintenance, and evaluation of security systems and equipment; coordinates with contractors and vendors to ensure proper operation and compliance with contract requirements.

At the GS-09 and GS-11 levels, duties are less broad and may involve more structured guidance from supervisors or higher-graded analysts.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications for GS-09

• Specialized Experience: At least 52 weeks of experience gained in a federal position at or above GS-07 (or equivalent) performing duties that support physical security projects, facility assessments, and the prevention and control of property loss or damage due to theft, sabotage, or civil disturbances. Experience must be clearly described in your resume.
• Optional Education: A master’s or equivalent graduate degree or successful completion of at least 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
• Combination: A portion of specialized experience (less than 52 weeks) and a portion of qualifying graduate education (beyond the first year) may be combined to meet the full requirement.

Minimum Qualifications for GS-11

• Specialized Experience: At least 52 weeks of experience gained in a federal position at or above GS-09 (or equivalent) performing duties related to physical security projects, facility assessments, and preventing property loss or damage due to theft, sabotage, or civil disturbances. Experience must be clearly described in your resume.
• Optional Education: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or successful completion of at least 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
• Combination: A portion of specialized experience (less than 52 weeks) and a portion of qualifying graduate education (beyond the second year) may be combined to meet the full requirement.

Minimum Qualifications for GS-12

• Specialized Experience: At least 52 weeks of experience gained in a federal position at or above GS-11 (or equivalent) conducting assessments or inspections and making recommendations related to physical security projects, facility assessments, and preventing property loss or damage due to theft, sabotage, or civil disturbances. Education cannot be used in lieu of or in addition to specialized experience at this grade level.

To be eligible for promotion, applicants with federal status must demonstrate at least 52 weeks at the preceding grade level (e.g., GS-07 for GS-09, GS-09 for GS-11, GS-11 for GS-12). Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Conditions of Employment

• Visiting construction sites, building systems, and spaces, which may require physical exertion such as standing, walking over rough or uneven surfaces, bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, and lifting moderately heavy items (e.g., microwaves).
• Exposure to moderate risks or discomforts, such as working around moving parts, carts, or machines, which may require special safety precautions (e.g., Personal Protective Equipment like respirators, steel-toed shoes, masks, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields).
• Potential exposure to high noise levels, dust, toxic or irritant chemicals.
• Occasional duties may involve outdoor activities in inclement weather.
• May be required to report to work or remain at the workstation during hazardous weather or emergency situations when other building occupants are excused.
• May be required to work irregular hours, travel in hazardous weather conditions, or travel to agency delegated and non-delegated buildings.
• May be required to be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and/or according to rotational schedules.

Education

Applicants without the full amount of specialized experience can meet minimum requirements for GS-09 and GS-11 with optional education. Transcripts must be submitted to support your claim and must include:

• Your name and the name of the school.
• The program in which you were enrolled and the degree earned.
• If you attended multiple institutions, transcripts from all schools must be submitted.

Transcripts must be legible; unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. One year of full-time graduate education is typically considered 18 semester hours. Foreign education must be evaluated by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign education programs and deemed equivalent to a U.S. accredited program.

Eligibility

Who may apply:

• ICTAP/CTAP (Career Transition Guide) applicants.
• Current Competitive Service employees with permanent or conditional tenure.
• Former Competitive Service employees with permanent tenure (separation at any time), conditional tenure (separation within the previous 3 years), or conditional tenure with veteran preference (separation at any time).
• Current Excepted Service employees from agencies with competitive service compatibility (e.g., Foreign Service, US Postal Service), Interchange Agreements, Schedule A (Reg 213.3102(u)), or VRA appointments in qualifying agencies.
• Former Excepted Service employees with prior Competitive Service experience or veteran status.
• Military spouses (see USAJOBS Help Center).
• Veterans with non-qualifying federal status (see USAJOBS Help Center).

Eligibilities must be fully documented to receive consideration. Federal status will be considered first; military status will only be considered if federal status cannot be used.