Chief Special Security Officer, CSSO

Qed Systems Llc; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

11 Paid Holidays

401(k) Matching

Life Insurance, AD&D, disability

Professional Growth Opportunities

Job summary

QED Systems LLC seeks a Chief Special Security Officer (CSSO) to lead security operations at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. The role oversees SAP/CAP security, liaises with government SSO, and ensures compliance with DoD directives and NISPOM.

Qualified candidates will hold an active Top Secret with SCI eligibility and have experience in government security operations within classified environments; a Master’s is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least three (3) years of experience executing government security operations within classified SCI, SAP, or CAP environments.
• Master’s degree desired in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Active Top Secret w/SCI eligibility clearance required; ability to pass CI polygraph.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal authority on security operations for assigned SAPs and CAPs.
• Coordinate with Government Special Security Officers and provide guidance to leadership.
• Develop, implement, and oversee security policies, procedures, and risk‑mitigation measures.
• Manage the lifecycle of program access requests and maintain security records.
• Provide security training and awareness across the organization.

Skills

Security operations

Policy guidance

Executive support

Risk assessment

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree desired

Tools

DISS

JADE

Scattered Castles

ETMS2

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Chief Special Security Officer, CSSO

Full Time Professional Arlington, VA, US

Salary Range: $140,000.00 To $150,000.00 Annually

QED Systems, LLC, is currently recruiting a Chief Special Security Officer, CSSO(Specialist), to join our team at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA to support our HQDA G-3/5/7 Support Services contract.

Duties:

• Serves as the principal authority on all security operations for assigned Special Access Programs (SAPs) and integration with Controlled Access Programs (CAPs) for the assigned organization.
• Functioning as the contractor counterpart to Government Special Security Officers (GSSO), the CSSO manages the daily execution of multidisciplinary security requirements.
• Provides guidance to and executes the directives of the Senior Intelligence Officer (SIO) for the facility.
• Coordinates with the cognizant authority for oversight on all security programs.
• Develop, implement, and maintain SAP and CAP security policies, procedures, and standards. Apply applicable security requirements to program operations and coordinate with relevant stakeholders to support effective implementation.
• Provide program and industrial security support to protect personnel, facilities, information, and other assets associated with the Program Security element.
• Develop, implement, and oversee security policies, procedures, and initiatives; assess threats and vulnerabilities; recommend and implement risk‑mitigation measures; and advise program and Government leadership on security risks and requirements.
• Operate independently when making security recommendations to prevent unauthorized access to program or Government facilities and information.
• Provide day‑to‑day information technology/knowledge management‑related support for personnel supporting USASSE and, as required, other tenants at the USASSE‑managed SCIF (Building 367).
• Provide support daily and/or as needed due to the fluidity of this position.
• Implement and maintain the industrial security program and ensure applicable program and host‑facility security requirements are met.
• Coordinate with program and Government personnel at all levels to ensure contract security compliance with the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), DoDM 5205.07, ICD 704, applicable DoD directives, instructions and manuals, DD Form 254, and program classification guides.
• Manage the lifecycle of Program Access Requests (PARs) and nomination packages in accordance with DoDM 5205.07, Volume 2, and ICD 704.
• Use DISS, JADE, Scattered Castles, and other applicable security systems and tools.
• Conduct SAP and CAP indoctrinations, security briefings, nondisclosure agreement (NDA) processing, and debriefings.
• Maintain accurate and authoritative billet and access rosters.
• Administer the organization’s Continuous Vetting (CV) and reporting program in accordance with Security Executive Agent Directive 3 (SEAD 3), including tracking and processing required reports concerning foreign travel, foreign contacts, financial disclosures, and adverse information.
• Coordinate clearance reciprocity and co‑utilization between DoD SAPs and Intelligence Community (IC) CAPs.
• Collaborate with control officers in support of compartmented‑area accreditation.
• Conduct security self‑inspections, audits, risk assessments, vulnerability analyses, and other evaluations.
• Support customer assessments, identify deficiencies and risks, and develop and implement corrective actions and risk‑mitigation strategies.
• Perform studies, analyses, and evaluations to assess and improve security processes and the security portfolio.
• Identify and mitigate operational and programmatic risks and recommend standards and measures that support program capability objectives.
• Develop and maintain incident‑response and crisis‑management plans.
• Coordinate responses to security incidents and breaches, conduct post‑incident analyses, prepare reports, and recommend or implement corrective actions.
• Develop, deliver, and document security‑awareness training.
• Educate personnel on security policies, procedures, reporting responsibilities, and applicable security practices.
• Maintain security records and documentation and monitor program performance and security risks.
• Review relevant data and provide regular reports, assessments, and recommendations to senior leadership and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate with program teams, Government representatives, security vendors and service providers, law enforcement, and other agencies.
• Evaluate vendor performance and compliance and manage assigned security resources effectively.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Detail‑oriented with excellent technical, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Must have the ability to work within Government‑provided software packages with emphasis on MS Office products, for example, Outlook, Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Must be able to think critically and apply analytical methodologies to raw data to present clear and precise recommendations.
• Ability to focus on Mission requirements while tracking multiple competing priorities.
• Require minimal supervision in the fast‑paced, critical environment of the Army Headquarters.
• Must be proficient in the Enterprise Task Management Software Solution (ETMS2) (formerly Task Management Tool).
• Ability to clearly articulate analysis through both oral and written communication.
• Ability to provide executive, technical, and administrative support to senior leaders.

Required Clearance:

• ACTIVE CLEARANCE LEVEL REQUIRED: Top Secret w/SCI eligibility, with the ability to pass and maintain a Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and at least three (3) years of experience executing government security operations within classified SCI, SAP, or CAP environments. Master’s degree desired.
• Training desired on day one or must be completed within 6 months of hire date.
  • Special Access Program Overview (CDSE)
  • Introduction to Special Access Programs (CDSE)
  • Special Access Program Mid‑Level Security Management (CDSE)
  • Orientation to Special Access Programs, Security Compliance Inspections (CDSE)
  • Special Access Program Personnel Security Official (SPO) Training
  • ICD 705 Physical Security Construction Requirements for SAP

Travel:

Less than 10% travel is expected for this position. Travel may include continental United States and outside continental United States locations.

This position will be co‑located with the customer and other contractors in Government office spaces. While not generally authorized, telework may be required due to exceptional circumstances (extreme weather, pandemic, etc.).

Physical Demands:

Physical demands of this position include ability to:

• Be independently mobile.
• Communicate effectively with co‑workers and customers.
• Withstand prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and computer use.

Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full–time position, Monday through Friday. Flexibility around core hours. Travel may occur outside of normal core hours.

Additional Information:

Please note this job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Assigned tasks may vary, with or without prior notice, to effectively meet client requirements.

Total Compensation:

QED offers a competitive compensation package for full‑time employees. Our total compensation package is value‑based and negotiable depending upon the candidate’s specific skills and applicable relevant experience.

Benefits include:

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 401(k) Matching
• Life Insurance, AD&D, and Short‑Term & Long‑Term Disability
• Professional Growth Opportunities
• Additional Benefits

Estimated Salary Range: $140,000.00 - $150,000.00, annually. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. This represents the typical range for fully qualified candidates for this position based on experience, geographic location, and other factors. The final offer amount may vary.

QED Systems, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

QED Systems, LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer – Minority/Disabled/Veteran/Female