Security Specialist (Direct Hire)

Security Specialist (Direct Hire)

Department: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Location(s): Wallops Island, Virginia

Salary Range: $61722 - $116362 Per Year

Job Summary: A NASA Special Security Officer (SSO) acts as the principal authority for managing and overseeing Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security programs. This role involves enforcing security policies, managing personnel security, and conducting vulnerability assessments to protect national security information.

Major Duties:

• Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
• Provides support to Goddard Space Flight Center's Information Security program providing policy and classification guidance while supporting in the management of Information and Facilities.
• Implements the Information Security Program for Goddard Space Flight Center, to include developing appropriate safeguards and policies, and ensuring that appropriate classified document control, storage, transmittal, and destruction procedures.
• Supports Security Specialists on protective services to include security classification, providing decisions to technical program personnel. Coordinates with stakeholders on content, dissemination requirements of Security Classification Guides.
• Provides guidance and support in the implementation of the GSFC Special Security Program to include safeguarding and ensuring classified document control, storage, transmittal, and destruction are within NASA requirements.
• Coordinates with Management relative to issues, clearance determinations, and other activities. Ensures personnel are aware of security regulations and provides advice and guidance to program security goals.
• Provides technical and administrative guidance in the implementation of multi-security discipline programs to include information, industrial, identity credential management, visit request and physical security.
• Performs work concerned with physical security measures designed to safeguard employees, facilities, information and critical assets at federal facilities, leased spaces, or a campus environment.
• Performs risk analyses for operations, facilities, and assets to assure they are adequately protected by security systems (access control, alarms, closed circuit television) and are appropriately implemented and maintained.

Qualifications: Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. To qualify for GS-09 level, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level: Assisting with the execution of information, industrial, or national security activities by following established policies and procedures; Supporting security processes or classified contract activities by performing administrative or procedural tasks in accordance with established requirements; Participating in physical security activities to help safeguard personnel, facilities, and equipment using established security measures. OR b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field OR c) Completed 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field OR d) LL. B or J.D, if related OR e) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c) and d) above To qualify for GS-11, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level: Applying established policies and procedures related to information, industrial, or national security programs; Supporting the administration of classified contracts or security processes by ensuring compliance with established requirements; Assisting in the implementation of physical security measures to help protect personnel, facilities, and equipment. OR b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field OR c) Completed 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in an appropriate field OR d) LL.M., if related OR e) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c) and d) above To qualify for GS-12, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level: Providing guidance related to information/industrial security and national security; Providing guidance on classified contracts for industrial security processes; Assisting in the design and oversight of implementing physical security solutions to protect personnel, facilities and equipment. Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

How to Apply: Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application and have all required information available. We encourage you to provide a complete description of your educational achievements and include both paid and non-paid work in the experience portion of your resume. If you submit a resume that does not contain the required information, you may lose consideration. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: To begin the application process, you will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application process. Once logged in to your account, click on the "Apply" link. Follow the prompts to select your resume (2 pages or fewer) and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. Resumes longer than 2 pages will be rejected by the system. Resumes submitted via other document types will not be forwarded to the hiring manager, nor will they be used in the review of your qualifications. We strongly encourage you to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder when creating your resume. Using the resume builder will help you ensure your resume includes important information related to your qualifications and eligibility for this position. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. During the application process you can review, edit, delete and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the 'Include Personal Information' section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the vacancy questionnaire which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify all required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. NASA's online application process provides step by step guidance to ensure you provide all needed information. If you are unable to apply online, please contact NSSC-STAFFING@MAIL.NASA.GOV for assistance. Be advised - application materials faxed, emailed, and/or mailed to Goddard Space Flight Center will not be accepted for this announcement. NASA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are an applicant with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact center listed on the job vacancy announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-11