
Security Specialist (SCI)
Washington Headquarters Services
Alexandria, VAFull-time$122–158K/yrPosted today
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At a glance
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Job overview
The Security Specialist (SCI) directs SCI security programs for Washington Headquarters Services and serviced components. The role translates national security directives into workflows, manages SCIF security and accreditation, administers SSO functions and classified-material handling, and supports special access programs. It also evaluates security risks, coordinates investigations, develops leadership briefings, and modernizes security workflows using data analytics and automated platforms.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Full job description
Summary
The Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Management Division is a vital entity within the Security Enterprise Services Directorate (SESD), Washington Headquarters Services (WHS), Department of War (DoW). Established to unify and strengthen SCI governance across the enterprise, the Division safeguards the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of some of the nation's most sensitive national security information.
Duties
Incumbent typical work assignments may include the following: Directs day-to-day and long-range SCI security programs for WHS and serviced components; translates complex Intelligence Community Directives (ICDs), ODNI, and DoW policies into standardized workflows and local instructions for personnel, information, industrial, and facility security. Manages physical security, design, and accreditation files for WHS-cognizant Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) across the Pentagon, Mark Center, and commercial sites; coordinates with specialized technical units to integrate TEMPEST and Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) controls under ICD 705 standards. Administers core SSO functions, serving as the certifying authority for SCI visitor access and reconciling personnel security records within DISS and Scattered Castles; manages the transmission, transport, and secure safeguarding of classified materials. Provides synchronized SSO and SCI support to Special Access Programs (SAPs), Controlled Access Programs (CAPs), and Alternative Compensatory Control Measures (ACCM) under co-utilization agreements; reviews and approves SCI contractor security requirements utilizing DD Form 254. Analyzes derogatory security data to execute preliminary, risk-based personnel evaluations; coordinates multi-agency investigations into classified security spillage, unauthorized disclosures, and insider threats while tracking mitigation measures to closure. Formulates strategic business plans, executive briefings, and talking papers for SESD and WHS leadership; designs modernized, data-driven security workflows by leveraging data analytics and automated technology platforms to enhance auditability and compliance. Qualifications
In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below. You may qualify at the GS-13 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your ability to: manage and coordinate complex, high-security information protection programs under national security and governmental directives; directing day-to-day personnel security and vetting operations, to include managing access control lists, verifying security clearances, and administering personnel non-disclosure agreements; AND managing the physical and technical security lifecycle of accredited, high-security secure rooms or government-approved technical facilities in compliance with federal standards. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. All qualifications and education requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume. Your resume may not exceed two (2) pages. For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the duration of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration. Read more about what should I include in my federal resume at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, as part of their application package, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, indicating the service member is otherwise eligible and will be discharged or released within 120 days from the date of submission.. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. This "certification" must include your rank, dates of active duty service, type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable), and date any terminal leave will begin. It must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible". Members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if they are on terminal leave. Current or Former Political Appointees: Agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.
Education
Education cannot be substituted for experience. How You Will Be Evaluated
In order 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 may requires an online USA Hire Competency Based Assessment. The USA Hire online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Your eligibility and 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 USA Hire Competency Based Assessment(s) required for this position (if applicable). If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. DOD PPP candidates using Application-Based Procedures: Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be selected and placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-4) dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference. Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-3) to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference. Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-2) to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference. Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-1) to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference. Other Information
Probationary Periods: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Reemployed Annuitants: Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants (DODI 1400.25, volume 300). http://www.esd.whs.mil/DD/DoD-Issuances/140025/ Nepotism: Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110, an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative. Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.
How this job compares
Set against the 555 open Security Specialist jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 5, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$122–158K/yr
- Virginia median$97–125K/yr40 salary ranges
- US median$85–121K/yr313 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $140K, is 29% above the Virginia median midpoint ($109K) — in the top quarter of Security Specialist salary ranges in Virginia.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 70 open Security Specialist jobs in Virginia and 555 across the US. 2% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in Virginia
- Serco18 open
- Amazon6 open
- NANA Regional Corporation4 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 1 year of experience; Security Specialist postings that state a minimum ask for 3 years at the median (371 postings).
- Education
- 104 of the 555 open Security Specialist jobs (19%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 5, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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