Security Spec Sr

American Electric Power Co.; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 88,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power (AEP) is seeking a Senior Security Specialist to lead enterprise physical security systems administration, compliance programs, and security reporting. The role requires managing regulatory obligations, audit-ready documentation, and continuous improvements across a large security program.

The successful candidate will work with Physical Security, Cyber Security, IT, Operations, and external stakeholders to ensure secure, compliant, and audit-ready security systems and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher required or equivalent hands-on experience in IT system administration, cybersecurity, or physical security.
• 2+ years IT-related experience; 1+ year security-related experience acceptable.
• Strong ability to manage regulatory obligations, audit-ready documentation, and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate recurring compliance activities: reviews, testing, certifications, tabletop exercises, evidence retention.
• Support physical security systems: access control, monitoring, preventive maintenance, recovery planning, configuration documentation.
• Develop and maintain security reporting, dashboards, and data extracts with SQL and Power BI.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Data analysis

Program management

Audit readiness

Security operations

Vendor coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

SQL

Power BI

Excel

Microsoft SQL Server

ServiceNow

Job description

Job Posting End Date 09-07-2026 Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

American Electric Power (AEP) is seeking a Senior Security Specialist to support enterprise physical security systems, regulatory compliance programs, security reporting, and operational performance management. This position serves as a technical and compliance lead for Physical Security, with responsibility for administering security technology platforms, managing compliance activities, maintaining regulatory documentation, supporting audits, tracking mitigation plans, overseeing preventive maintenance programs, and developing operational and compliance reporting. The successful candidate will work closely with Physical Security, Cyber Security, Information Technology, Operations, Telecommunications, Regulatory Compliance, and external stakeholders to ensure security systems and programs remain secure, reliable, compliant, and audit-ready.

Job Description

The ideal candidate is a highly organized security professional who combines strong technical skills with compliance, reporting, and program management expertise. Success in this role requires the ability to manage regulatory obligations, maintain audit-ready documentation, administer security systems, track mitigation and maintenance activities, and transform complex data into meaningful operational and compliance reporting. This role is well-suited for someone who enjoys owning processes, managing details, solving problems, and using data to drive accountability and continuous improvement across a large enterprise security program.

What you’ll do: Essential Job Functions & Tasks

Coordinate recurring compliance activities, including reviews, testing, certifications, tabletop exercises, and evidence retention.

Support physical security systems and processes related to access control, monitoring, preventive maintenance, recovery planning, and configuration documentation.

Work with security leadership, compliance teams, field personnel, vendors, IT, telecom, cybersecurity, and operations teams to support program requirements.

Identify documentation gaps, operational concerns, or compliance risks and elevate them through appropriate channels.

Support continuous improvement of physical security compliance processes, procedures, and evidence management practices.

Physical Security Systems Administration

Administer and support enterprise Physical Access Control Systems (PACS), Video Management Systems (VMS), intrusion detection systems, and related security technologies.

Configure and maintain system settings, badge access levels, user accounts, roles, permissions, workflows, and integrations.

Support system upgrades, testing, troubleshooting, patching, maintenance, and lifecycle management.

Coordinate issue resolution and technical improvements with vendors, contractors, and internal partners.

Compliance, Audits, and Governance

Lead annual reviews and updates of physical security policies, procedures, standards, and compliance documentation.

Coordinate compliance activities associated with NERC CIP, MARSEC, FAA, TSA, FERC, and corporate security requirements, as applicable.

Manage compliance evidence, audit records, corrective actions, mitigation plans, and regulatory deliverables.

Support and participate in internal audits, external audits, assessments, site inspections, and regulatory reviews.

Track audit findings, remediation activities, and compliance commitments through closure.

Reporting, Data Analysis, and Program Management

Develop, maintain, and analyze operational, compliance, and management reports.

Write SQL queries and create reports, dashboards, and data extracts supporting security operations and regulatory requirements.

Utilize advanced spreadsheet and reporting tools to analyze trends, track performance, and identify compliance risks.

Maintain security metrics, maintenance records, compliance trackers, and executive reporting packages.

Ensure data accuracy and integrity across security platforms and related systems.

Security Operations Support

Manage tracking and reporting for preventive maintenance testing programs.

Support physical security assessments, site reviews, commissioning activities, and operational readiness efforts.

Lead tracking and follow-up activities associated with physical security incidents, corrective actions, and mitigation plans.

Support security technology projects, modernization initiatives, and process improvement efforts.

Preferred Qualifications

3+ (security specialist assoc.), 5+ (security specialist), 7+ years (senior security specialist) of experience supporting physical security systems, compliance programs, security operations, or related technical environments.

Experience with enterprise access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, and integrated security systems.

Experience supporting regulatory compliance programs, audits, inspections, and corrective action management.

Demonstrated experience developing procedures, standards, reports, and compliance documentation.

Strong organizational, analytical, and project coordination skills.

Experience managing large volumes of operational, compliance, and performance data.

Lenel OnGuard administration experience preferred.

SQL query development and report writing.

Microsoft SQL Server experience.

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, Power Query, dashboards, formulas, and data analysis.

Power BI or similar reporting and visualization tools.

Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) administration.

Security system integrations and data interfaces.

Working knowledge of TCP/IP networking and system communications.

ServiceNow dashboard development skills.

What We're Looking For:

Education requirements are listed below:

Bachelor's Degree; OR associate degree with 2 years of relevant experience in system administration, help desk, cybersecurity, or physical security; OR High School Diploma/GED with 3 years of relevant experience in IT system administration, help desk, cybersecurity, or physical security; OR Graduation from an approved Cybersecurity Program; OR Equivalent hands-on technical experience demonstrated through assessment and technical evaluation.

Work Experience requirement listed below:

2+ years of Information Technology related experience; OR 1+ years of security-related experience, which may include military or government service.

The ideal candidate is a technically skilled security professional who can balance day-to-day operational support with long-term strategic improvements while ensuring reliable, secure, and compliant physical security services across the organization. For a Senior-level opportunity, a target of 7+ years of applicable experience is strongly preferred.

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade: SP20-007

Compensation Range: $87,633.00 - $109,543.00

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary

Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer‑employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.

Apart from providing electricity, we energize possibilities.

At American Electric Power, we provide more than electricity to our millions of customers - we energize possibilities. We're redefining the future of energy by reducing our carbon footprint, empowering the communities we serve and building an engaged, talented workforce. All while delivering the reliable service our customers expect. It's an exciting time in the energy industry. Are you ready to be part of it? We’re looking for team members to help create the grid of the future. Learn more about our commitment to creating a supportive, inclusive work culture that values different experiences.