SECURITY SPECIALIST (LEAD INDUSTRIAL SECURITY OPERATIONS SPECIALIST)

About the role

DCSA's Industrial Security (IS) Operating Component is seeking a highly motivated individual with knowledge and experience as a Lead IS Operations Specialist who will bring excellent communication, internal and external agency collaboration, and strong customer service skills. The position will serve as Advisor to the Associate Director, IS, in a fast-paced, dynamic front office environment.

Duties

• Serves as a Lead Security Operations Specialist advising the Associate Director for Industrial Security on mission planning, organizational improvements, and operations.
• Leads staff functions and coordinates complex, cross-organizational actions and projects within DCSA and with key Department of War (DoW) staff.
• Develops senior-level briefings, formulates executive talking points, and reviews materials to support senior leader engagements and negotiations.
• Conducts analysis of industrial security operations to develop courses of action (COAs) and recommend solutions to operational challenges.
• Applies strategic thinking and vision to evaluate current operations, oversee assigned actions, and manage large organizational projects.
• Utilizes influencing and decision-making skills to build teams, drive change management, and implement effective organizational improvements.

Requirements

• 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.
• Incumbent must obtain Security Professional Education Development (SPeD) Certification for Security Fundamentals Professional Certification (SFPC) within 2 years of onboarding.

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 09/09/2026.

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-13) 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 GG-14 position includes:

• Advising Senior Executives and staff on mission planning, organizational improvements, and operations.
• Supporting senior leader engagements, staff functions, and planning cross-organizational actions.
• Managing large organizational projects, developing senior leader talking points and briefings, reviewing executive material, and tracking quick-turn actions.
• Coordinating with DCSA, Department of War, and Congressional Staffs to manage assigned tasks and actions.
• Proactively identifying operational challenges, providing recommendations and/or implementing solutions to resolve.

Competencies

You will be evaluated on the following competencies:

• Change Management – Knowledge of change management principles, strategies, and techniques required for effectively planning, implementing, and evaluating change in the organization.
• Decision Making – Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
• Influencing/Negotiating – Persuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.
• Planning and Evaluating – Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.
• Strategic Thinking – Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization in a global environment that takes into consideration the environment, resources, capabilities, constraints, and organization goals and values. Capitalizes on opportunities and manages risks and contingencies, recognizing the implications for the organization and stakeholders.