Security Specialist (Alternate GSSO)

Air Force Civilian Service; Tullahoma (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Health Insurance

Retirement benefits (FERS)

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

Flexible Work Arrangements

Job summary

The Air Force Civilian Service seeks a Full-Time Security Specialist (Alternate GSSO) to protect Special Access Programs at AEDC, Arnold AFB, TN. You will implement SAP security, manage SCI and collateral information, and conduct security inspections for sensitive sites.

Travel up to 25% and situational telework are allowed. Candidates must obtain TS clearance and meet DoD security requirements in a multi-agency workforce.

Qualifications

• Experience with Air Force Test environments or similar RDT&E efforts.
• Knowledge and experience working with Controlled Unclassified Information, Collateral, SCI, and SAP.
• Knowledge and experience balancing NISPOM, DoW, and Air Force security requirements across a mixed workforce.

Responsibilities

• Implements and administers the SAP Security Program, to include Information, Industrial, Personnel, and Physical security
• Serves as a Security Professional for the testing, fielding and protection of advanced and Special Access Program resources and technologies
• Conducts and documents regular self-inspections of Special Access Program facilities and operations
• Assess the SAP security posture and sets goals and courses of action to correct deficiencies
• Leads or performs security investigations for incidents involving the actual or possible loss, compromise or inadvertent disclosure of highly classified information
• Establishes procedures for document marking, safeguarding, and use; personnel access controls, need to know criteria, physical storage and control; and transmitting, transferring, reproducing, downgrading and destroying information
• Initiates and reviews all requests for personnel security investigations consistent with current directives, and establishes local procedures for processing access requests for military, civilian and contractor personnel

Skills

Air Force Test environments or similar

SCI/SAP security knowledge

NISPOM/DoW security balance

Job description

About the Air Force Test Center

The Air Force Test Center (AFTC) is where tomorrows Air Force is tested! Long considered the "Center of the Aerospace Testing Universe", AFTC is truly where Air Force superiority begins. Home to many Aerospace establishments and records, AFTC remains the state-of-the-art leader in Aerospace testing, and provides the warfighter with cutting-edge technology. AFTC does not only celebrate its past, but we continue to lead from the front. Join our team today and make Aerospace history! Your Talent, Their Success. Powering the mission of the United States Air Force.

About the Role

The Air Force Civilian Service is looking for your skills and talents to join our team supporting the United States Air Force. The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time Security Specialist (Alternate GSSO) (NH-0080-03) to work at the Air Force Test Center (AFTC), Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC), Information Protection Office (IP), Arnold Air Force Base, TN. In this position you will serve as an AEDC GSSO, providing expert technical advice in the complex area of security for special access programs; classification management program; security violations; security education and awareness training; and security surveys and special programs security inspections for assigned programs. Provides Test and Industrial Security Program support for a complex, multi-mission complex; implementing procedures as the local expert for interpretation of agency security policies and security program execution for administration of multiple security functions. Duties may include significant involvement with the agency Foreign Disclosure Program and classified information issues up through the Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) level.

Location & Compensation

Location: (Tullahoma, TN) (Arnold Air Force Base) Typical 2026 salary range: $89,508 - $138,370 per year (includes locality) "If your current basic salary is within the band, but above the stated VOP, your basic salary will not be reduced if you are selected for the position."

Telework Information

Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prescribed "Unscheduled Telework".

Travel Requirements

Up to 25% travel possible.

Direct Hire Authority

NO 6-MONTH WAIT! Recently retired and/or retiring from MILITARY service ARE eligible for immediate appointment for AFTC positions. The 180-day waiting period has been waived for AFTC to hire recently retired and/or retiring service members.

Desired Skills

• Experience with Air Force Test environments or similar Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) efforts
• Knowledge and experience working with Controlled Unclassified Information, Collateral, Sensitive Compartmented information (SCI), and Special Access Programs (SAP)
• Knowledge and experience balancing National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), Department of War (DoW), and Air Force security requirements across a workforce comprised of military, DoW civilian, and contractor personnel

Major Duties

• Implements and administers the SAP Security Program, to include Information, Industrial, Personnel, and Physical security
• Serves as a Security Professional for the testing, fielding and protection of advanced and Special Access Program resources and technologies
• Conducts and documents regular self-inspections of Special Access Program facilities and operations
• Assess the SAP security posture and sets goals and courses of action to correct deficiencies
• Leads or performs security investigations for incidents involving the actual or possible loss, compromise or inadvertent disclosure of highly classified information
• Establishes procedures for document marking, safeguarding, and use; personnel access controls, need to know criteria, physical storage and control; and transmitting, transferring, reproducing, downgrading and destroying information
• Initiates and reviews all requests for personnel security investigations consistent with current directives, and establishes local procedures for processing access requests for military, civilian and contractor personnel

Qualifications / Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship (Required)
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Drug Testing: This is a designated Drug Testing Position
• Must be able to obtain and maintain and "Top Secret" security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Programs (SAP).
• Employee is in a designated position that requires consent and thereafter be subject to and successfully complete, an initial, periodic, and random counterintelligence (CI) scope polygraph examination as a condition of employment.
• The employee must successfully take and pass a Counterintelligence Polygraph (CIP) Examination.
• Certifications/Licensure: Department of Defense Security Fundamentals Professional Certification, Security Program Integration Professional Certification, and Special Program Security Certification conferrals are required within two years.

Top Related KSAs

1. Knowledge of a wide range of security and information protection concepts, principles, and practices to review independently, analyze, and resolve difficult and complex security problems. Comprehensive knowledge of SAP security policy requirements to function as technical authority in multiple security specialties in order to resolve major conflicts in policy, procedure and program objectives.
2. Knowledge of Special Access Program (SAP) and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security procedures.
3. Ability to work independently planning, scheduling, coordinating, carrying out, and monitoring the effectiveness of the operations of multiple security programs in attaining organizational operational and test mission activities.
4. Ability to interpret, establish and monitor operating security programs to meet specific test and operational program situations involving multi-security classification and highly classified information, facilities, devices and operations.
5. Ability and skill in establishing criteria for identifying and analyzing trends in security violations and infractions and other lapses security and measuring organizational effectiveness in achieving security objectives and goals.
6. Ability to effectively manage and organize various program activities and tasks, and be familiar with administrative requirements.

Air Force Civilian Service Employment Benefits

• Paid Time Off:
  • 11 Federal Holidays each year
  • 13 sick leave days earned per year (accumulative)
• Paid Vacation Time: 13-26 days per year based on length of employment
• Health Insurance: No waiting period to qualify for you and your family
• Retirement: Immediate coverage by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
• Basic Benefits Plan Social Security: Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), like a 401(k) (Automatically receive 1% agency contributions and up to 5% matching)
• Health & Wellness: Various Medical Flexible Spending Account Federal Long Term Care Insurance, and Life & Disability Insurance
• Work/Life Balance: Family and Medical Leave Act Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Flexible Work Arrangements (dependent on position)
• Career Development: Tuition Assistance & Professional Development opportunities Career enhancement and promotion opportunities

Federal Resume Tips

Resumes limited to two pages. Federal agencies now only accept resumes up to two pages in length. Learn more about the new resume requirements at: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include https://afciviliancareers.com/PDF/FederalResumeWriting.pdf

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Classification & Qualifications for Federal Government Employees

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/

Other Career Opportunities

Please visit the Air Force Test Center job board to view other career opportunities: https://www.aftc.af.mil/About-Us/Jobs/

Equal Opportunity Employer

AFTC is an Equal Opportunity Employer