Bond Program Personnel Security Specialist I

Institute For Defense Analyses; Bedford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Institute for Defense Analyses in Alexandria, VA seeks a Personnel Security Assistant to support the security program, greet visitors, manage access, and assist in badge and clearance processes.

The role handles DoW/NISPOM compliance, uses DISS and SIMS, coordinates meetings, and supports the Security Operations team. A fast-paced, customer-service oriented candidate with DoW clearance experience is ideal.

This is a 2-year term appointment with potential extension.

Qualifications

• High school diploma and two years of related administrative and customer service experience.
• Proficiency in use of computers and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel and Outlook).
• Ability to communicate and interact professionally with all levels of employees and guests.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality are required.
• Possesses excellent organization skills and detail orientation.
• US Citizenship required.
• Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain Top Secret with SCI
• Successful completion of criminal background is required.

Responsibilities

• Executes elements of IDA’s personnel security program.
• Maintains lobby reception area professionally and handles calls, requests and inquiries; refers and delivers messages.
• Provides security information management system (SIMS) support, badges, and forms.
• Assists in creating and modifying employee badges and maintains badge inventory.
• Receives, signs and distributes mail; supports security staff in supplies ordering.
• Identifies visitors; manages access rights and logs.
• Greet visitors and register/authorize access for restricted areas; maintain visitor log.
• Process visitor requests; enters clearance data into DISS/SIMS; verify foreign visitor authorization.
• Coordinate meetings requiring government sponsor approvals.
• Direct visitors to meeting locations and collect devices when required.
• Enforce IDA security policies and update SIMS/DISS data.
• Assist in security clearance process; support Physical Security Team.
• Perform other work-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Organization

Multitasking

Education

High school diploma

Tools

DISS

SIMS

eQIP

SF86

Job description

This position is a 2-year term appointment with the possibility for extension.

Overview

IDA is looking to hire a Personnel Security Assistant who is ready and willing to quickly become the heart of the office. An ideal candidate will have the ability to maintain composure, thrive in a fast-paced driven environment and who is eager to create a positive experience for all employees and guest at IDA's Alexandria, VA office. The Personnel Security Assistant staff member receives, greets, directs, identifies visitors/callers and controls access rights, ensuring compliance with all aspects of the IDA security program. This position performs a variety of routine administrative duties such as maintaining logs, files, mail distribution and other duties as assigned. If you are a self-motivated candidate with prior reception or office experience looking to jump start your career, this is the role for you!

IDA’s Personnel Security Assistant executes elements of the personnel security program in support of the National Industrial Security Operations Procedures Manual (NISPOM). Enforces security policies and procedures. Utilized multiple Department of War (DoW) related databases to complete visitor requests, clearance verification and other security related actions. Coordinates meetings attended by visitors and meeting requiring government sponsor approvals.

Responsibilities

• Executes elements of IDA’s personnel security program.
• Responsible for the lobby reception area to continuously present a professional image. Assuring a high-level of customer satisfaction through timely and effective handling of calls, requests and inquiries; prompt and appropriate referral of calls and timely delivery of messages.
• Assures a high-level of customer service support to IDA employees through timely and effective handling of in-person requests and inquires, as it pertains to Security Information Management System (SIMS) Lobby Management tool, Badges, Security Forms, Incoming/Outgoing Visit Request, New Hire Orientation Briefings, Foreign Nationals and Foreign Travel Briefings.
• Assists Physical Security team in creating new hire IDA badges and badges that need to be modified based on new access level. Routinely completes inventory of visitor badges and maintain appropriate tracking logs.
• Receives, signs and distributes US registered and certified mail; supports the Security Operations staff in ordering office and security related supplies.
• Identifies visitors; directs and controls access rights.
• Cordially greets visitors and ensures that all visitors entering the Restricted Area in the IDA facility are registered and authorized. Determines nature of business and issues appropriate visitor security badges according to clearance level. Maintains the visitor log and requests file; tracks and records all issued security badges.
• Processes visitor requests; enters clearance information into the visitor database and/or research information in the Defense Information System for Security (DISS) and SIMS clearance database; verifies foreign visitor authorization from the Export Control Office and Security.
• Coordinates all classified meetings requiring government sponsor approvals; liaison between Security Operations and IDA hosts facilitating a smooth flow of visitors in the lobby area during meetings or seminars.
• Directs visitors to meeting location and collects electronic devices when required, ensuring compliance with all aspects of the IDA security program.
• Responsible coordinating meeting requiring government sponsor approvals.
• Enforces IDA’s security policies and procedures.
• Updates SIMS database for clearance and visitor tracking.
• Ensures IDA information in the DISS is accurate and timely.
• Assists in the security clearance process as backup for the Security Specialist I and II.
• Assist the Physical Security Team, as needed.
• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma and two years of related administrative and customer service experience.
• Experience with DoW 32 CFR Part 117, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) and applicable Intelligence Community Directives (ICD) preferred.
• Experience with DoW clearance process such as DISS, eQIP, SF86, foreign national visitors, and SIMS is desired.
• Proficiency in use of computers and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel and Outlook).
• Ability to communicate and interact professionally and courteously both orally and in writing with all levels of employees and guests.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality are required.
• Possesses excellent organization skills, attention to detail and comfortable in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to handle multiple demands and prioritize workload based on urgency.
• US Citizenship required.
• Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain Top Secret with SCI
• Successful completion of criminal background is required.

Why Work at IDA?

• Comprehensive benefits including diverse health insurance options, generous 10% contribution to retirement, parental leave, 20 days paid time off (which increases with tenure), and relocation reimbursement.
• Mission-oriented work at a non-profit that supports and protects our warfighters; as a non-profit, IDA employees are eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL).
• Professional development including tuition reimbursement, internal and external trainings, and funding for researcher-pitched projects and publications.
• A strong employee and corporate culture of work-life balance, including commitment to average 40-hour work weeks through flex time, partial telework options, and expectation of communication only during core business hours.
• A brand-new facility located in Alexandria’s high-tech corridor in Potomac Yard; amenities include a gym, and close proximity to local dining and shopping.
• Easy access to Potomac Yard Metro stop and Potomac Yard DASH bus stop. Employer contributes $315/month (IRS max) to commuter benefits.
  

Compensation:

We support transparency, equity, and fairness in our compensation program and provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range based on data-driven market analysis for each position. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $42,291 - $67,666. Individual salary within this range will be commensurate with the incumbent’s experience, unique skills and qualifications, and other relevant factors.