Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff logo

SECURITY SPECIALIST (PERSONNEL INFORMATION PHYSICAL)

Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Pentagon, Arlington, VAFull-time$85–158K/yrPosted today

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At a glance

Compensation
$85–158K/yr
Location
Pentagon, Arlington, VA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

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Job overview

The Security Specialist works within the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff across personnel, information, physical, and specialized security disciplines. The role formulates and applies security policies and procedures, makes security clearance determinations, and protects sensitive information, people, facilities, and resources. Specialized programs may include SCI and SAP management, Insider Threat, Operations Security, Communications Security, Foreign Disclosure, and visit verifications.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Personnel SecurityInformation SecurityPhysical SecuritySpecialized SecuritySecurity Incident InvestigationFact-FindingSecurity AnalysisRisk AssessmentSecurity Problem ResolutionFormal ReportingNational SecuritySCI ManagementSAP ManagementInsider ThreatOperations SecurityCommunications SecurityForeign DisclosureVisit Verification

Qualifications

One Year Specialized ExperienceDoctoral Degree or EquivalentThree Years Graduate Education or LL.M.Partial Experience and Education Combination

Full job description

Summary

Part of the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Will be responsible for covering a single functional area or several, and will concentrate on one or more of the following security disciplines: Personnel Security; Information Security and Physical Security. Will also perform work in specialized security programs such as Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) management, Insider Threat, Operations Security, Communications Security, Foreign Disclosure and visit verifications.

Duties

As a SECURITY SPECIALIST (PERSONNEL INFORMATION PHYSICAL) at the GS-0080-11/12/13 some of your typical work assignments may include: Responsible for the formulation and application of security policy, procedures, systems, and programs involving the loyalty and reliability of people Makes security clearance determinations for employees or other persons for access to sensitive information, resources, material, or work sites Developing, implementing, and monitoring policies, instructions, procedures, control systems, and methods for such functions and activities as: delegation and exercise of classification and declassification authority; development of classification guides, document marking, safeguarding, and use; personnel access controls; need to know criteria; physical storage and control; security education; transmitting, transferring, reproducing, downgrading, and destroying information; and overall program management oversight for national security information (NSI) and controlled unclassified information (CUI). Responsible for the physical protection of sensitive or classified information, personnel, facilities, installations, or other sensitive materials, resources, or processes against criminal, terrorist, or hostile intelligence activities Performs security work that is directed toward protecting highly defined information, materials, equipment, or processes by applying specifically tailored security criteria. Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service: Applies Personnel, Information, Physical and Specialized Security (including SCI management, Special Access Program [SAP] management, Insider Threat, Operations Security, Communications Security, Foreign Disclosure, and visit verifications) to investigate and analyze a variety of unusual security problems, questions, or conditions associated with general questions about security or in a specialty area, Applies defense related and National Security concepts, principles, and practices, established in legislation, executive orders, directives, regulations, and policy decisions in order to function as a subject matter expert for projects that require application of theories and learned best security practices, Institutes security policy requirements to perform key decision making responsibly and function as technical authorities in assignments requiring the application of new theories and developments to security problems, Applies requirements, methods, and techniques of security incident investigation, to include fact-finding, analysis, risk assessment, resolution of security problems, and submitting formal reports. You may qualify at the GS-12, if you fulfill the following qualifications: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service: Learn to apply Personnel, Information, Physical and Specialized Security (including SCI management, Special Access Program [SAP] management, Insider Threat, Operations Security, Communications Security, Foreign Disclosure, and visit verifications) to investigate and analyze a variety of unusual security problems, questions, or conditions associated with general questions about security or in a specialty area, Learn to apply defense related and National Security concepts, principles, and practices, established in legislation, executive orders, directives, regulations, and policy decisions function as a subject matter expert for projects that require application of theories and learned best security practices, Institutes security policy requirements to perform key decision making responsibly and function as technical authorities in assignments requiring the application of new theories and developments to security problems, Learn to apply requirements, methods, and techniques of security incident investigation, to include fact-finding, analysis, risk assessment, resolution of security problems, and submitting formal reports Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level. (GS-12/13) You may qualify at the GS-11 if you fulfill the following qualifications: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service: Begins to apply Personnel, Information, Physical and Specialized Security (including SCI management, Special Access Program [SAP] management, Insider Threat, Operations Security, Communications Security, Foreign Disclosure, and visit verifications) to investigate and analyze a variety of unusual security problems, questions, or conditions associated with general questions about security or in a specialty area, Learns to apply defense related and National Security concepts, principles, and practices, established in legislation, executive orders, directives, regulations, and policy decisions function as a subject matter expert for projects that require application of theories and learned best security practices, Learns to Institutes security policy requirements to perform key decision making responsibly and function as technical authorities in assignments requiring the application of new theories and developments to security problems, Learn to apply requirements, methods, and techniques of security incident investigation, to include fact-finding, analysis, risk assessment, resolution of security problems, and submitting formal reports OR B. I am qualified based on education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related; OR C. You have some specialized experience as described in A, but less than one year; and you have more than one year but less than two years of education as described in B. You have computed the percentage of the requirements that you meet, and the total is at least 100%. (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond the first year by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.) 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. *NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position. (GS-11 ONLY)

Education

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. (GS-11 ONLY) All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. Foreign education may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses. Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable. When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities. For further information, visit: Foreign Education How You Will Be Evaluated

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account. You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. NOTE: Resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://www.usajobs.gov, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To preview the questionnaire, please go to https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13112097. To review the status of an application through USAJOBS: 1. Log into your USAJOBS account 2. Click Application Status within your profile to expand your application 3. Locate the job announcement and click the more information link under the Status column for this position. You will be routed to Application Manager. The Details tab displays by default. The Details tab displays comprehensive information about the selected Application Package including: assessment(s) and the status, supporting documents and their status, correspondence sent to you by the hiring agency, and your application processing status. To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload, complete this cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf . Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144. You are highly encouraged to submit your application package and complete your assessment questionnaire on-line. Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at: https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d Other Information

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs: 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; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements: Persons with Disabilities - Schedule A Special Hiring Authority for Veterans Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses Other Special Appointment Authorities - Subpart F Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/register/) The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews, and once the selection is made, you will receive a notification of the decision. NOTE: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a declination for further consideration for employment against this vacancy. Selective Service Requirement: Please visit http://www.sss.gov for more information. For more information, please visit https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d Other Notes: 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/140025/140025_vol300.PDF?ver=LQ7feWw-8-5DI2tceUpmgA%3d%3d 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. As required by 5 C.F.R. § 302.106., DLA will provide Section 508 conformant ICT to employees with disabilities. All ICT interfaces with the public related to vacancy announcements and career transition opportunities must conform to the applicable requirements in the current ICT Standards and Guidelines (36 C.F.R. § 1194). Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).

How this job compares

Set against the 592 open Security Specialist jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 9, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$85–158K/yr
  • Virginia median$100–126K/yr53 salary ranges
  • US median$78–118K/yr369 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $122K, is 11% above the Virginia median midpoint ($110K) — in the middle half of Security Specialist salary ranges in Virginia.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 82 open Security Specialist jobs in Virginia and 592 across the US. 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Virginia
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 (377 postings).
Education
104 of the 592 open Security Specialist jobs (18%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 9, 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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