Security Manager

National Radio Astronomy Observatory; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) seeks a full-time Security Manager to oversee observatory-wide security operations and compliance. Ideal postings may be based in Albuquerque, NM, Socorro, NM, Charlottesville, VA, or Green Bank, WV.

Travel<25% and extensive collaboration with Agencies and partners are expected. Responsibilities include managing personnel security, developing procedures, maintaining documentation, and coordinating with federal agencies.

Qualifications

• Eight years of related experience.
• Preferred experience in security training program development.
• Project management experience preferred.
• Knowledge of loss prevention, cost containment, ability to review and interpret the legal, insurance and risk aspects of contracts and agreements, claims investigation and/or management, tort and contract law.
• Excellent researching skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day security guidance and support to management, project personnel, contractors, and government representatives concerning personnel security and facility security.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for government security officials and partner organizations regarding program security matters.
• Develop, review, update, and maintain security documentation including SOPs, security plans, classification guidance, visitor procedures, and emergency response documentation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal regulations and directives.
• Support security compliance reviews, self-inspections, audits, and corrective action tracking.
• Conduct security awareness briefings, annual refresher training and specialized security training sessions for employees and contractors.
• Assist leadership with risk assessments, mitigation strategies, and implementation of security best practices.

Skills

Strong presentation skills

Strong verbal communication

Strong technical writing

Team collaboration

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Public Safety, Emergency Management, or related field

Job description

5651 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy, Albuquerque, NM 87113, USA

Job Description

Posted Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 6:00 AM | Expires Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 5:59 AM

Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is an exciting and prestigious research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory operates a variety of radio telescopes that span the globe, including the famous Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) across North America, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail.

The NRAO’s Environment, Safety and Security Department is seeking a full-time Seurity Manager to oversee the observatory-wide security operations and compliance.

This position ideally will be based either in Albuquerque, NM, or Socorro, NM but could also be based at our Charlottesville, VA or Green Bank, WV locations.

What You Will be Doing

• Provide day-to-day security guidance and support to management, project personnel, contractors, and government representatives concerning personnel security, and facility security
• Serve as the primary point of contact for government security officials and partner organizations regarding program security matters.
• Develop, review, update, and maintain security documentation including Standard Operating Procedures, security plans, classification guidance, visitor procedures, and emergency response documentation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal regulations and directives.
• Support security compliance reviews, self-inspections, audits, and corrective action tracking.
• Conduct security awareness briefings, annual refresher training and specialized security training sessions for employees and contractors.
• Assist leadership with risk assessments, mitigation strategies, and implementation of security best practices.
• Manage personnel security processes including clearance verification, access authorization tracking, visitor control, badging, and onboarding/offboarding procedures.
• Conduct security in-briefings, debriefings, and recurring security awareness training.
• Maintain security records and documentation in accordance with government and institutional requirements.
• Coordinate with federal agencies and contracting organizations regarding personnel clearances and access eligibility.
• Investigate, document, and report security incidents, violations, or suspicious activities and recommend corrective actions.
• Support foreign national visitor processing and escort procedures in accordance with institutional and federal requirements.
• Support physical security operations for Observatory facilities including access control systems, intrusion detection systems, key control, CCTV systems and visitor management.
• Support administration and facility accreditation requirements where applicable.
• Coordinate with Facilities, Engineering, IT, and external contractors regarding security-related construction and renovation projects.
• Serve as the Representative or security liaison for facility security projects including upgrades to controlled or restricted areas.
• Conduct routine facility inspections and security assessments to identify vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with applicable standards.
• Respond to after-hours alarms, emergency conditions, and security-related incidents as required.
• Support implementation and maintenance of emergency response procedures, evacuation plans, and continuity of operations activities.
• Maintain accountability for security equipment, locks, keys, and access credentials.Coordinate with
• Facilities and Emergency Management personnel regarding site emergencies, incident response, and security-related hazards.
• Participate in emergency exercises, drills, and incident response planning.
• Support development and implementation of security-related emergency procedures.
• Assist with workplace violence prevention, threat assessment, and incident reporting programs.
• Other duties as assigned

The successful candidate will join a team of professionals in a variety of fields and disiplins. Work is typically performed Typical research and development environment. Indoor and outdoor work is required, occasionally at high altitudes and heights of up to 100 feet. Periodic travel is required (<25%).

Who You Are:

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Public Safety, Emergency Management, or related field or a closely related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience

• Eight years of related experience.
• Preferred Experience in security training program development highly preferred. Project management experience preferred. Knowledge of loss prevention, cost containment, ability to review and interpret the legal, insurance and risk aspects of contracts and agreements, claims investigation and/or management, tort and contract law. Excellent researching skills. .

Skills and Competencies

• Strong presentation skills to be able to present information in an effective, comprehensive manner.
• Strong verbal communication skills in order to communicate objectives and solutions.
• Strong technical writing skills.
• Must be able to work effectively as a member of the ES&S team and with all levels of the Observatory.
• Ability and willingness to earn technician level board certification (or higher) is required (PSP, etc.) with satisfactory progress toward certification being demonstrated annually.
• Strong PC skills and knowledge of database management data entry procedures.
• Ability to collect and report data. Ability to multi-task and prioritize projects.
• Knowledge of project management principles. Must be able to operate a personal computer.

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Additional Requirement

Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor H-1B Visas for this position.

Physical Demands

Required to stand and sit and perform fine hand manipulation. Must work safely near moving mechanical parts and/or with electrical equipment. Occasionally required to climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, and crouch. May occasionally work at high altitudes, and in high, precarious places and in extreme weather conditions, and may be exposed to chemicals, or the risk of electrical shock. May frequently lift up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color and depth perception are required.

Safety Sensitive

The selected candidate must successfully pass a post-offer, pre-employment/pre-placement drug screen. Failure to pass the screen will disqualify the candidate from employment consideration for a period of six months from the date of the results.

Total Rewards:

Compensation

The starting salary/hourly rate of this position is between $99,000-$121,000 per year. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Associated Universities, Inc (AUI) offers a comprehensive benefits package addressing the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment, subject to eligibility requirements. AUI provides:

• Excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days)
• Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment.
• AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit https://public.nrao.edu/careers/ . If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to [e-mail] . PM20

5651 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy, Albuquerque, NM 87113, USA