Contractor Program Security Officer

Penn State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory in State College, PA, seeks a self-starting Contractor Program Security Officer to develop and administer local security programs for classified and proprietary materials supporting USG/DoD programs. The role emphasizes visiting control, safeguarding, classification management, physical and information system security, and coordinating with sponsor security staff to align with government requirements.

The position is on-site at ARL.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility is required.
• Experience with industrial security programs and DoD/IC guidance.
• Proven ability to communicate clearly and coordinate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge of NISPOM, ICDs, and sponsor instructions to support industrial security operations.
• Assist with implementing visitor control, safeguarding, classification management, physical and information system security.
• Help develop and maintain Program Security documents (SOPs, PARs, EAP, Disaster Recovery, Continuity of Business, Document and Media Control).
• Manage the control of electronic devices and security items.
• Assist with opening/closing facilities, end-of-day checks, and after-hours alarm support.
• Collaborate with sponsor security staff to ensure compliance with policies.
• Coordinate visitor management and COMSEC policy with the account manager.
• Support classified conferences and provide visitor management and badging.

Skills

Active Top Secret clearance with SCI

Industrial security

Strong communication and org. skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Associate Degree

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are searching for a self-starting, customer service-oriented Contractor Program Security Officer to join our Special Programs Security Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This position will be responsible for development and administration of local security programs/procedures for classified and proprietary materials, documents, and equipment in support of United States Government (USG) and Department of Defense (DoD) programs.

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You will:

• Apply a working knowledge of the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), Intelligence Community Directives (ICDs), and the sponsor's amplifying instructions to assist the day-to-day of the Industrial Security Program operations
• Assist with implementation of visitor control, safeguarding, classification management, physical security, information system security, security education, access control, alarm testing and maintenance, and personnel security for adherence to all government security requirements
• Assist with development, review, coordination, and execution of Program Security documentation such as; Fixed Facility Checklist, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Transportation Plans, Program Access Requests (PARs), Emergency Action Plan (EAP), Disaster Recovery Plan, Continuity of Business Plan, and Document and Media Control
• Manage the control of electronic devices and other security items
• Assist opening and closing of facilities, perform end-of-day checks and daily inspections; provide/coordinate after-hours alarm support
• Engage and collaborate with sponsor security staff to ensure program security policies and procedures follow company and customer requirements
• Establish and maintain effective communications with customers, security staff, program leads, and department management
• Collaborate with other security staff for special projects as required
• Assist with escorting visitors, which may require support outside of normal business hours
• Assist the local Communications Security (COMSEC) account manager for COMSEC policy implementation
• Coordinate and support classified conferences and provide visitor management support and badging

Required skills/experience areas include:

• An active Top Secret security clearance, with SCI eligibility
• Industrial security
• Success in environments, where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective

Preferred skills/experience areas include:

• Government security policies, automated information systems security, physical security, and personnel security

Your working location will be fully on-site, located in State College, Pennsylvania. You will be responsible for responding to alarms and escorting visitors, sometimes at off-hours.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as Integrated Security Specialist (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Required Certifications: None

If filled as Integrated Security Specialist (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:

• Associate Degree
• 2+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Required Certifications: None

ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu .

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information env