Operational Assurance Specialist (SCIF Security Specialist 3)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 106,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) with matching

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks a Security Specialist 3 to provide integrated quality assurance and security operations support for SCIFs and SAPs in the SSO division. The role emphasizes QA, compliance, assessments, audits, and corrective actions to maintain strict security controls at LANL in Los Alamos, NM.

The position demands robust understanding of DOE/NNSA safeguards, regulatory requirements, and the ability to lead or contribute to complex investigations, trend analyses, and

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience applying quality assurance, compliance, or performance assurance principles in a regulated, high-consequence, or security-sensitive environment.
• Experience supporting the development, implementation, review, or improvement of processes and procedures to ensure work is performed in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Experience identifying, documenting, evaluating, and helping resolve security or operational deficiencies through causal analysis, corrective action development, and effectiveness reviews.
• Experience collecting, tracking, and analyzing findings and performance data to identify recurring issues, adverse trends, and opportunities for improvement.

Responsibilities

• Actively participate in quality assurance and security operations.
• Assess program effectiveness and interpret requirements for corrective actions.
• Lead or contribute to assessments, audits, surveillance activities, and process improvements.
• Provide technical guidance across organizations to resolve complex compliance issues.
• Support SCIF/SAP security operations including access control and CMPC.
• Apply DOE/NNSA safeguards and security requirements in operational settings.
• Coordinate SCIF renovation or construction support while maintaining compliance.

Skills

QA / Compliance

Causal analysis

Trend analysis

Audits & surveillance

SCIF / SAP security operations

Regulatory knowledge

SCIF construction support

Security operations

Education

Bachelor's Degree + 8 years experience

Job description

What You Will Do

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

SCIF & SAPF Operations (SSO-2), within the Special and Sensitive Operations (SSO) Division is seeking a Security Specialist 3 to provide integrated quality assurance, compliance, and security operations support for Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) and Special Access Programs (SAPs). This position combines deep knowledge of quality assurance principles, DOE/NNSA safeguards and security requirements, and SCIF operational standards to ensure facilities, processes, systems, and classified activities are performed in full compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and mission requirements.

In this role, you will actively participate in quality assurance and security operations, assess program effectiveness, interpret requirements, recommend improvements, and implement corrective actions. You will support both day-to-day SCIF/SAP security operations and formal quality assurance activities, including assessments, surveillance, audits, process improvement, metrics, and corrective action management.

This position requires a high degree of judgment, professionalism, discretion, and customer service due to the consequence of error and the sensitivity of the work performed. You will work under limited direction, receiving general guidance on new assignments while independently planning and executing work to meet mission objectives.

SCIF Security Specialist 3 ($106,400 - $176,000)

The selected candidate will be expected to independently perform and lead quality-focused security compliance activities in support of SCIF and SAP operations. This includes evaluating complex issues, identifying systemic causes and performance trends, developing and implementing sustainable corrective strategies, and leading or significantly contributing to assessments, audits, surveillance activities, and broader performance improvement initiatives. The candidate should be capable of interpreting and applying complex requirements, developing meaningful metrics and trend analyses to support management decision-making, and providing technical guidance across organizations to resolve complex compliance and security issues.

Minimum Job Requirements:

Quality Assurance / Compliance

Demonstrated experience applying quality assurance, compliance, or performance assurance principles in a regulated, high-consequence, or security-sensitive environment. Experience supporting the development, implementation, review, or improvement of processes and procedures to ensure work is performed in accordance with applicable requirements.

Causal Analysis and Corrective Action Management

Experience identifying, documenting, evaluating, and helping resolve security or operational deficiencies through causal analysis, corrective action development, and effectiveness reviews. Ability to assess issues, determine contributing factors, and support implementation of sustainable corrective actions.

Trend Analysis / Performance Monitoring

Experience collecting, tracking, and analyzing findings, deficiencies, incidents, observations, or other performance data to identify recurring issues, adverse trends, emerging vulnerabilities, and opportunities for improvement. Ability to develop or support metrics, dashboards, reports, and other tools used to monitor program health and inform management decisions.

Assessments, Audits, and Surveillance

Experience participating in or supporting internal/external assessments, audits, inspections, surveillances, or compliance reviews. Ability to evaluate operations against requirements, document results, track findings to closure, and verify corrective actions have been implemented effectively.

SCIF / SAP Security Operations

Working knowledge of SCIF, SAP, or other special security operations, including one or more of the following areas:

• Information Security
• Physical Security
• Classified Matter Protection and Control (CMPC)
• Accountable classified matter management
• Access Control
• Security Operations support
• Internal tracking of security issues or assessment findings

Regulatory Knowledge

Working knowledge of applicable DOE Orders, NNSA requirements, LANL safeguards and security requirements, and Intelligence Community Directives (ICDs) related to SCIFs, SAPs, and security compliance programs. Ability to interpret and apply requirements in operational settings.

SCIF Construction / Renovation Support

Experience supporting or coordinating SCIF renovation, construction, maintenance, or modification activities while maintaining security compliance, access controls, and operational integrity.

Education/Experience:

Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 8 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of related education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience serving in a quality-focused role supporting SCIF, SAP, or other special security programs.
• Experience leading or supporting security assessments, compliance reviews, inspections, or audit response activities.
• Knowledge of one or more of the following:
• DOE Order 471.5, Special Access Programs
• Intelligence Community Directives (ICDs)
• NISPOM
• Department of Defense SAP Security Manual
• Applicable DOE safeguards and security requirements
• Experience working with DOE, NNSA, DOE-IN, or institutional safeguards and security organizations.
• Experience supporting quality and compliance requirements during SCIF construction, renovation, accreditation, or re-accreditation efforts.
• Active DOE Q clearance and SCI eligibility/access.
• Alternate Program Security Office (APSO), Alternate Special Security Officer (ASSO), or related special security experience.

Work Location:

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position Commitment:

Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance:

Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

• Eligibility Requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular Position:

Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Equal Opportunity:

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer.

All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process.

To request such an accommodation, please send an email to [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947.