Security Specialist

About the role

This position is located within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, KS.

Responsibilities

• Manage the facility's electronic security systems, including intrusion detection, cameras, video management platforms, and access control system.
• Perform administration, diagnostics, troubleshooting, inspections, and maintenance to ensure full operational readiness.
• Manage the facility’s electronic security systems (ESS), including intrusion detection, cameras, video management platform, and access control system.
• Administer, program, and troubleshoot the site's access control system, including updates to system architecture, field panels, readers, biometrics, and connectivity monitoring.
• Conduct routine inspections and maintenance of access control devices, sensors, cameras, and supporting security infrastructure.
• Analyze complex security situations with insufficient, contradictory, or sensitive information to determine corrective actions.
• Prepare sensitive access control reports, audit documentation, access level reviews, alarm analyses, system design documentation, and compliance reports.
• Communicate system issues, resolutions, and audit results to management, Director, Security Leadership, and other stakeholders.
• Plan, sequence, and coordinate multiple concurrent security projects, security system tasks, installations, and corrective actions.
• Assist employees with access issues and respond to system support requests.
• Support investigations of suspected violations of criminal law or security regulations.

Requirements

• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.

Qualifications

• GS-11: Specialized experience is experience consisting of performing technical work in administering components of electronic security systems-including access control, CCTV, and intrusion detection systems-by conducting troubleshooting, adjustments, and system maintenance; assisting in implementing security policies and procedures in compliance with regulations; creating and maintaining sensitive security reports such as access level reviews, alarm analyses, and audit documentation; participating in investigations; delivering security awareness training to groups or individuals; and supporting security operations through duties such as serving as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR).
• GS-12: Specialized experience is experience serving as a technical authority for access control and alarm systems by programming, modifying, and overseeing system architecture and biometric integrations; independently developing or interpreting security policies, procedures, and internal guidelines supporting electronic security programs; coordinating and overseeing multiple large-scale or concurrent security projects and activities; preparing critical time-sensitive security reports essential for maintaining facility certifications; and performing authoritative COR duties, including contract oversight, quality assurance, and reporting.

Physical Demands

• The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, crawling and similar activities.
• The work requires an average degree of dexterity and strength with the movement and placement of equipment and objects (up to 50 pounds with support).
• The incumbent engages in performing facility inspections of various types including general offices, laboratories and animal facilities which may require wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE), including a respirator (N-95 or PAPR) or a fully encapsulated air pressurized suit while entering infectious disease laboratories, or animal facilities areas.
• Travel may be required.

Work Environment

• The work is performed in an office settings, infectious diseases laboratories, and as required, indoor animal holding facilities, necropsy rooms, insectaries and building mechanical spaces involved with inspections.
• Temperature extremes may occur as well as exposure to disagreeable odors, working around frightened, unpredictable, and ill-natured animals, and exposure to the risks and hazards of harmful biological, chemical, and physical agents.
• Immunizations with vaccines may be required to enter facilities.
• The work requires special safety precautions and PPE. Use of protective equipment, such as respirators, disposable personal protective clothing, encapsulated air pressurized suits, and eye protection, may be required.
• A degree of potential risk is involved due to biohazard laboratories.

Other Considerations

• Motor Vehicle or Commercial Driver's License Required
• Drug Test Required
• Vaccine(s) Required
• SAC and full background investigation required for positions working with BSL-3 (or higher) agents, or in BSL-3/BSL-4 facilities.
• Other: Department of Justice (DOJ) Security Risk Assessment (SRA) approval is required.
• Immunizations are required.
• Respirator fitting and certification is required.
• TS/SCI clearance is required.
• The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations.