Physical Security Specialist.

Offices-to-go; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Offices-to-go is seeking a Physical Security Specialist to develop and maintain department-wide security policies and programs in a federal environment in Washington, DC. The role oversees automated access control, CCTV, and intrusion detection, and collaborates with local and federal law enforcement to strengthen overall security posture.

The ideal candidate has specialized federal experience at GS-11/12/13 level or equivalent, with education options including a PhD or law degree, and will

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9, including responding to emergencies and documenting incidents, and using security software such as CCTV and automated access control systems.
• Education: PhD or equivalent doctoral degree; or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M, if relate.
• Combination of Education and Experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

Responsibilities

• Developing, implementing, maintaining department wide policy and security programs.
• Maintaining and operating the Department's automated access control system, closed circuit television and intrusion detection systems.
• Provides recommendations to enhance security systems through modification application.
• Evaluates and makes recommendations concerning overall plans and proposals.
• Coordinates actions with other local and Federal law enforcement agencies.
• Identifies and advises management of physical security problems.

Skills

Emergency response

Incident documentation

Education

PhD or equivalent doctoral degree

Three years of progressively higher level graduate education

LL.M, if relate

Tools

CCTV

Automated access control systems

Security software

Job description

Duties

• Developing, implementing, maintaining department wide policy and security programs.
• Maintaining and operating the Department's automated access control system, closed circuit television and intrusion detection systems.
• Provides recommendations to enhance security systems through modification application.
• Evaluates and makes recommendations concerning overall plans and proposals.
• Coordinates actions with other local and Federal law enforcement agencies.
• Identifies and advises management of physical security problems.

Requirements

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
• You may be required to complete a probationary or trial period. See "Additional Information" for specific details.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
• A USA Hire assessment is required. An email will be sent with additional information after you submit your application. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment.
• Must obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Physical Security Specialist, at GS-0080-11/12/13, you must meet the basic qualification requirements listed below.

GS-11

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level or equivalent band in the Federal service, which includes: Responding to emergencies, such as unauthorized access, theft, and natural disasters and documenting incidents; and utilizes security software, such as closed circuit television, automated access control systems.

OR

Education: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M, if relate.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and specialized experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. You must have some specialized experience as described above in number 1 but less than one year; and have more than two years, but less than three years of education as described in number 2. To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond the second year by 36. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.

GS-12

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or equivalent band in the Federal service, which includes: Demonstrates implementing security strategies (deter, detect, delay, deny, defend), managing access control to buildings and property; and maintaining surveillance systems.

GS-13

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or equivalent band in the Federal service, which includes: Demonstrates preparing physical security survey or inspection reports; modifies or applies evolving technology to enhance security systems; AND notifying senior leadership of deficiencies found during physical security surveys or inspections.

Preferred Experience: Completion of a civilian or military police academy certificate and at least one-year experience as a certified law enforcement officer.

You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by 11/02/2026 of this announcement.

Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.

See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.

After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement 11/02/2026 to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.

Education

Use this placeholder if education cannot be used or counted at all:

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below.

Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

If you are using education to qualify for this position, or education is required:

• You must submit a transcript, which may be unofficial, as long as it contains a full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award.
• Your
• Please do not submit electronic transcripts with documentation security protection. These may prevent our application system from accepting and processing the document.
• If submitting a foreign transcript, you must have the transcript

Additional information

Additional selections may be made from this announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Probationary or Trial Period (as applicable): As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here:

DOJ Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-case basis. The DOJ Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found here:

Selective Service: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at:

Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement. Note: In accordance with 5 U.S. Code 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.