SECURITY SPECIALIST (LEAD INDUSTRIAL SECURITY OPERATIONS SPECIALIST)

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA); Quantico (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) seeks a Lead Industrial Security Operations Specialist to advise the Associate Director for Industrial Security in a fast-paced front office near Quantico. You will lead cross-agency actions, develop senior-level briefings and talking points, supervise security operations, and analyze programs to identify improvements and drive strategic change.

This role requires U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a security clearance.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience equivalent to GS/GG-13 level in federal service.
• Advising senior executives on mission planning and operations.
• Coordinating cross-organizational actions with DCSA, DoW, and congressional staff.
• Developing senior leader talking points and briefings.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Associate Director for Industrial Security on mission planning and operations.
• Lead cross-organizational actions and staff coordination within DCSA.
• Develop senior-level briefings and talking points for engagements.
• Analyze industrial security operations to propose courses of action.
• Oversee large organizational projects and manage action tracking.

Skills

Advising executives

Cross-agency coordination

Executive communications

Operational analysis

Strategic planning

Change management

Job description

Summary

DCSA's Industrial Security (IS) Operating Component is seeking a highly motivated individual with knowledge and experience as a Lead IS Operations Specialist who will bring excellent communication, internal and external agency collaboration, and strong customer service skills. The position will serve as Advisor to the Associate Director, IS, in a fast-paced, dynamic front office environment.

Duties

This announcement is open to: All DCSA employees who reside or currently employed in the MCB Quantico local commuting area, which includes the Virginia counties of Albemarle, Arlington, Caroline, Chesterfield, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Greene, Hanover, Henrico, King George, Loudoun, Louisa, Madison, Orange, Prince William, Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Richmond; Maryland counties of Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's and Saint Mary's; District of Columbia; and all cities existing in Virginia or Maryland within the geographic area bounded by the outer boundaries of the combined areas of the aforementioned counties.

As a SECURITY SPECIALIST (LEAD INDUSTRIAL SECURITY OPERATIONS SPECIALIST) you will be responsible for the following duties:

• This position is not mission essential, the incumbent serves as a Lead Security Operations Specialist advising the Associate Director for Industrial Security
• Executive Advisement: Serves as a Lead Industrial Security Operations Specialist advising the Associate Director for Industrial Security on mission planning, organizational improvements, and operations.
• Cross-Agency Coordination: Leads staff functions and coordinates complex, cross-organizational actions and projects within DCSA and with key Department of War (DoW) staff.
• Executive Communications: Develops senior-level briefings, formulates executive talking points, and reviews materials to support senior leader engagements and negotiations.
• Operational Analysis: Conducts analysis of industrial security operations to develop courses of action (COAs) and recommend solutions to operational challenges.
• Strategic Planning: Applies strategic thinking and vision to evaluate current operations, oversee assigned actions, and manage large organizational projects.
• Change Management: Utilizes influencing and decision-making skills to build teams, drive change management, and implement effective organizational improvements.

Requirements

• Must be a US citizen
• Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. For more information http://www.sss.gov
• Resume and supporting documents received by 11:59PM EST will be considered
• This is a Drug Testing designated position
• Position is a (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 1601
• Work Schedule: Full Time
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• PCS (Permanent Change of Station): Not Authorized
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Not Required
• Telework Eligibility: Supervisors may approve situational telework on a case-by-case, temporary basis for limited situations.
• If selected, the incumbent must obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as indicated in job announcement.
• Incumbent must obtain Security Professional Education Development (SPeD) Certification for Security Fundamentals Professional Certification (SFPC) within 2 years of onboarding.

Qualifications

The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0000/security-administration-series-0080/ for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 09/09/2026

Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position.

You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade (GS/GG-13) in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility.

Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience.

Specialized Experience For This GG-14 Position Includes

• Advising Senior Executives and staff on mission planning, organizational improvements, and operations.
• Supporting senior leader engagements, staff functions, and planning cross-organizational actions
• Managing large organizational projects, developing senior leader talking points and briefings, reviewing executive material, and tracking quick-turn actions.
• Coordinating with DCSA, Department of War, and Congressional Staffs to manage assigned tasks and actions.
• Proactively identifying operational challenges, providing recommendations and/or implementing solutions to resolve

Specifically You Will Be Evaluated On The Following Competencies

• Change Management- Knowledge of change management principles, strategies, and techniques required for effectively planning, implementing, and evaluating change in the organization.
• Decision Making- Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
• Influencing/Negotiating- Persuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.
• Planning and Evaluating- Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.
• Strategic Thinking- Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization in a global environment that takes into consideration the environment, resources, capabilities, constraints, and organization goals and values. Capitalizes on opportunities and manages risks and contingencies, recognizing the implications for the organization and stakeholders.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL

In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria.

Re-employed Annuitant

This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period.

If selected, Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for a DCIPS excepted service positions.

If selected, non-DCIPS candidates must acknowledge in writing that the position they have been selected for is in the excepted service and covered by DCIPS.

All Defense Intelligence positions under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) are in the excepted service by specific statue, 10 U.S.C. 1601. This position is in the excepted service and does not confer competitive status.

For more information on the DCIPS occupational structure click here.

For more information about career advancement in DCIPS click here.

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.

Benefits

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.

Open in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

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.