Security Specialist

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, US Customs and Border Protection, Office of Intelligence. You may select three of the following locations for consideration:

• New Orleans, LA
• Los Angeles, CA
• Selfridge, MI
• San Diego, CA
• Yuma, AZ
• Edinburgh, TX
• Elizabeth, NJ
• New York, NY
• Washington, DC
• Sterling, VA
• Del Rio, TX

This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 250 applications have been received, whichever comes first

Qualifications:

Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Interpreting new or proposed legislation, directives, and other agency guidance, to recommend and develop internal security programs policies and procedures to support Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) operations;
• Providing technical assistance and direct support to management staff on all matters related to security service programs on the integrity of the Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) facilities;
• Overseeing Top Secret/ Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) facilities and equipment, while maintaining contacts with federal agencies and established security policies, objectives, and regulations;
• Overseeing the implementation and coordination of research and analysis of security programs to support Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) lifecycle functions.

Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Providing Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) briefings and debriefings on security fractions, violations, and assists in official inquiries when appropriate;
• Managing various Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) administrative actions to closely examine security legislation or revised security regulations and to reevaluate and make recommendations concerning expected impact on programs, missions, and future strategic plans;
• Facilitating with other federal agencies as an expert security advisor to leadership and management on security planning, resource allocation, systems, and programs to better secure Top Secret/ Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) facilities and equipment;
• Serving as program coordinator for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) facilities and equipment impacting operational readiness, safety and the security of technical systems which affect federal agencies, private entities, and the general public.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

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.

You must:

• Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
• Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 06/11/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one-year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.

Responsibilities:

In this position, you will be assigned to the Office of Intelligence, Security Division, and oversees the implementation of programs and policies related to Personnel Security (PERSEC), Information Security (INFOSEC), Physical Security and Communications Security (COMSEC), Facilities and Emergency Preparedness.

This position starts at a salary of $89,508.00 (GS-12, Step 1) to $138,370.00 (GS-13, Step 10).

Salary: Salary listed reflects the rest of U.S. scale and, if applicable, will be adjusted to meet the locality pay or cost of living expenses of the duty location upon selection.

GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position.Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.

Major Duties for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting in maintenance of personnel security records.
• Conducting appropriate Special Compartmented Information (SCI) briefings/debriefings as assigned for cleared personnel.
• Making extensive independent technical judgements concerning the interpretation and implementation of existing security procedures, methods, and in deciding which analytical and technical decisions form the basis for major security program policy and operational decisions by upper management.
• Serving as Communications Security (COMSEC)/Top Secret Special Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) Manager. Responsible for the safeguarding, accounting for and when necessary, destruction of TOP SECRET COMSEC material, cryptographic communication, keying material, and equipment.
• Providing advice, assistance, and guidance to supervisors, managers, and employees on complex physical security matters concerning the integrity of the Special Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF).

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 here.

Salary : $89,508 - $138,370