Summary This position is located in the Office of Management and Administrative Services, Office of the Associate Administrator for Administration, Maritime Administration (MARAD). Duties This position is established (1) to ensure the safeguard of information, personnel, and property from theft, loss, misuse, fraud, or disclosure; (2) assist in the development, establishment, recommendation, and evaluation of conformance with national policies for the headquarters and field elements of the Maritime Administration; and (3) provide both emergency and non emergency communications capability at headquarters and field locations in accordance with approved requirements. The Security Specialist: Enforces MARAD's security program including personnel, information, physical and emergency security activities such as: clearance of applicants and employees for entry or retention in employment, and/or the clearance of employees and other persons for access to classified material. Provides assistance to officials on personnel security requirements. Briefs and debriefs employees and others on security requirements. Exercises responsibility for the receipt, custody, transmission, destruction, and control of all materials classified TOP SECRET or SECRET with the exception of physical custody of such material as is authorized to be under the custody of others under the provisions of Maritime Administrative Orders. Independently and as a member of a team, performs inspections of workplaces, storage areas, and administrative offices to identify and evaluate risk potential; determines the extent to which mechanical and physical conditions comply with required or accepted standards, adherence to established safety policies and procedures, and the effectiveness of the assigned program. Inspects contractor operations to insure safety regulations and standards are compiled with and to identify and insure correction of hazardous acts or conditions. Maintains liaison with the Office of Security in the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, on assigned security matters. Oversees and is responsible for the National Industrial Security Program, as well as the OPSEC and INFOSEC programs in MARAD. The ideal candidate for this position will possess comprehensive knowledge of federal security principles, policies, regulations, and procedures necessary to administer and support an effective personnel, physical, information, and operational security program. Qualifications To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include: Experience applying security principles, concepts, techniques, policies, and guidelines to administer and evaluate personnel, physical, information, and background investigations. To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application. To qualify for the GS-12 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include: Experience administering, evaluating, and improving personnel, physical, information, industrial, and emergency security programs and applying and interpreting federal security laws, regulations, policies, and directives to resolve security issues and develop effective solutions. Experience evaluating personnel security information, background investigations, and derogatory information to make determinations and recommendations concerning eligibility for access to classified or sensitive information. You cannot qualify on education at the GS-12 level; you must have experience. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Technical Competence - Knowledge of personnel security principles and procedures, including security clearances, investigations, access determinations, reporting requirements, and adjudicative considerations. Problem Solving - Skill in researching and interpreting security laws, regulations, directives, policies and applying them to specific operational situations. Reasoning - Ability to analyze security-related information, evaluate risks and competing requirements, and reach logical conclusions to support security decisions and recommendations. For all types of consideration, 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 For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/ Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.