Credentialing Official

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Paid time off

Retirement plans

Work-life balance

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California seeks a Credentialing Official for its Vetting & Credentialing Group. You will manage local badge processes, enroll new personnel, and oversee on-boarding/off-boarding and fingerprinting activities in line with government procedures.

The role requires strong communication, multitasking, and a professional demeanor for interaction with scientists, engineers, contractors, and visitors in a fast-paced environment. A U.S.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent with 6+ years related experience.
• Associate degree plus 1+ year related experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of vetting procedures (HSPD-12, NASA PRs).
• Proficient with MS Office and visitor management systems.
• Detail-oriented with excellent communication and customer service.

Responsibilities

• Oversee local badge population identity creation and credentialing onboarding.
• Process electronic fingerprints as part of identity verification.
• Review and verify documentation for accuracy and eligibility.
• Manage badge lifecycles: renewals, replacements, suspensions, terminations.
• Maintain records in access systems and ensure federal security compliance.
• Provide timely responses to online requests and communicate with stakeholders.

Education

High School diploma +6 years experience

Associate degree +1 year experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Visitor management systems

Job description

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL. Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus‑like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

Responsibilities

JPL has been a critical part of space exploration since the beginning, with an unmatched history of creating groundbreaking advances in science and technology. Designing, building, and testing new technologies requires the support and expertise of security professionals to protect the personnel, physical assets, and intellectual property that make such breakthroughs possible. In this position, you will be a member of the Protective Services Division’s Vetting & Credentialing Group (V&C) responsible for Local Center‑Specific Access Management and will report to the V&C Supervisor. As a Credentialing Official you will oversee and facilitate identity creation, enrollment, and credentialing on‑boarding/off‑boarding for the local badge population. Your responsibilities will include the collection and processing of electronic fingerprints as part of identity verification and credentialing activities; reviewing and verifying documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and eligibility for credential issuance; managing badge lifecycle activities, including renewals, replacements, updates, suspensions, and terminations; and maintaining accurate records and updating credentialing information in various access management systems and databases. This role is also responsible for creating a welcoming environment, facilitating and monitoring online requests to ensure timely processing, and ensuring compliance with federal security protocols. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, a professional demeanor, and the ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently in a fast‑paced environment. As a member of V&C, you will work within a collaborative team environment while taking independent action, analyzing problems, and providing focused solutions to effectively communicate information to various audiences orally and through written communication. The work is diverse, challenging, and requires well‑developed interpersonal skills including empathy, patience, and flexibility to communicate with internal and external customers in a polite, courteous, and efficient manner at all times.

Required Qualifications

• Typically requires a High School diploma with a minimum of six years related experience; Associate degree with a minimum of one‑year related experience.
• Solid understanding of government vetting & credentialing procedures (i.e., HSPD‑12, NASA Procedural Requirements) is strongly preferred.
• Thorough understanding in Microsoft Office Suite and visitor management systems.
• Ability to: think logically; prioritize work assignments; learn, apply, interpret, and explain provisions of governmental rules and department procedures; evaluate situations accurately and take effective action; input information accurately and efficiently into various databases.
• Detail‑oriented and a self‑starter.
• Willingness to perform a variety of tasks depending upon operational needs.
• Demonstrate a positive and professional attitude with excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor, using tact and good judgement in dealing with the public and all levels of the Lab workforce, including executive management, scientists and engineers, government civil servants, contractors, and foreign nationals.
• The position is full‑time and requires 100% on‑Lab presence on a 9/80 schedule. Occasional adjustments may be required for special events or high‑profile visits.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen with a current/active Tier 3 background investigation (secret level).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a government or defense contractor setting.
• Knowledge of enterprise physical access control systems and government facility security protocols.
• Experience working with a Lenel access control system.
• Proficiency in multiple languages is considered advantageous.

Benefits

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work‑life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

Salary

$62,608 - $77,064

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

Equal Opportunity Statement

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.