Security Technologist

Intelligence Careers; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 58,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

National Security Agency (NSA) seeks Security Technologists to protect people, information, and facilities worldwide. The role covers planning, installation, and maintenance of physical security systems including alarms, access control, and CCTV, aligned with national directives.

Opportunities span system administration, network administration, database administration, and information security, with travel to overseas locations and a strong emphasis on continuous learning and collaboration.

Qualifications

• The minimum acceptable qualifications include a degree in any field.
• Relevant experience in computer systems administration, networks, or security systems.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, analytical and interpersonal skills are valued.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, installation, testing, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of physical security systems.
• Support policies and procedures to ensure reliable and secure systems.
• Collaborate across IT disciplines to ensure security and integrity of information and access control.

Skills

Strong communication

Problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma or GED + 4 years relevant experience

Associate's degree + 2 years relevant experience

Bachelor's degree + no experience

Bachelor's degree + 3 years relevant experience

Master's degree + 1 year relevant experience

Doctoral degree + 0 years experience

Tools

CCNA

SolarWinds

CompTIA Security+

SQL databases

Switches & firewalls

Job description

Security Technologist - Entry to Mid Level (Maryland)

Fort George G. Meade Complex, MD
Pay Plan: GG , Grade: 07/1 to 12/10
Open: 2026-10-07, Close: 2026-10-09

Job Posting: 1263614

Responsibilities

Security and Counterintelligence organization is responsible for the protection of the National Security Agency's information, people, and facilities worldwide. In support of this mission, Security Technologists oversee the development, installation and maintenance of physical security systems. These systems and installations must meet stringent national security directives, UL standards and various national and local codes. These systems are an integral element of an overall security theory, posture and infrastructure designed to efficiently deter, delay, detect and identify threats to NSA's employees, resources and facilities. The Security Technologist work role supports the Physical Security division. Desirable candidates for this particular position shall have knowledge/skills in at least one of the following areas:

• The System Administrator function is responsible for the planning and coordination of the installation, testing, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of hardware and software systems for enterprise computer networks. Specific responsibilities include: - Planning and scheduling the installation of new or modified hardware and operating systems and application software; - Managing accounts, network rights, and access to systems and equipment; - Managing system resources including performance, capacity, availability, serviceability, and recoverability; - Implementing security procedures and tools; (STIG/STE/STN) - Developing and documenting systems administration standard operating procedures; - Resolving hardware/software interface and interoperability problems; - Ensuring systems availability, functionality, integrity, and efficiency; - Maintaining system configurations; - Managing the installation and integration of systems fixes, updates, and enhancements; - Provide remote customer support to resolve specific physical security issues
• The Database Administrator function is responsible for planning, development, implementation, and administration of systems for the acquisition, storage, and retrieval of data for enterprise computer networks. - Analyzing and defining data requirements and specifications - Designing, normalizing, developing, installing, and implementing databases - Maintaining, monitoring, performance tuning, backup, and recovery of databases - Installing, configuring, and maintaining database management systems software; - Analyzing and planning for anticipated changes in data capacity requirements; - Developing and administering data standards, policies, and procedures; - Developing and implementing data mining and data warehousing programs; - Evaluating and providing recommendations on new database technologies and architectures
• The Network Administrator function is responsible for planning, analysis, design, development, testing, quality assurance, configuration, installation, implementation, integration, maintenance, and/or management of information in data, and/or video formats for enterprise computer networks. - Analyzing and defining network requirements; - Defining and maintaining network architecture and infrastructure; - Configuring and optimizing network servers, hubs, firewalls, routers, and switches; - Analyze network workload; - Monitoring network capacity and performance; - Diagnosing and resolving network problems; - Developing network backup and recovery procedures; - Installing, testing, maintaining, and upgrading network operating systems software
• The Information Systems Security Specialist function is responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, availability of systems, networks, and data through the planning, analysis, development, implementation, maintenance, and enhancement of information systems security programs, policies, procedures, and tools for enterprise computer networks. - Developing policies and procedures to ensure information systems reliability and accessibility and to prevent and defend against unauthorized access to systems, networks, and data; - Conducting risk and vulnerability assessments of planned and installed information systems to identify vulnerabilities, risks, and protection needs; - Promoting awareness of security issues among management and ensuring sound security principles are reflected in organizations visions and goals; - Conducting systems security evaluations, audits, and reviews; - Developing systems security contingency plans and disaster recovery procedures; - Developing and implementing programs to ensure that systems, network, and data users are aware of, understand, and adhere to systems security policies and procedures; - Participating in network and systems design to ensure implementation of appropriate systems security policies; - Facilitating the gathering. Analysis, and preservation of evidence used in the prosecution of computer crimes; - Assessing security events to determine impact and implementing corrective actions
• Enterprise Architect function involves the analysis, planning, design, implementation, documentation, assessment, and management of the enterprise structural framework to align IT strategy, plans, and systems with the mission, goals, structure, and processes of the organization. - Developing reference models of the enterprise and maintaining the information in the IT repository; - Determine the gaps between the current and the target architecture and developing plans for transitioning to target architecture; - Defining the policies and principles to guide technology decisions for the enterprise architecture; - Identifying opportunities to improve enterprise-level systems to support business processes and utilize emerging technologies; - Promoting and educating customers and stakeholders on the use and value of the enterprise architecture; - Providing enterprise architecture guidance, support, and coordination to customers and IT project teams; - Documenting the enterprise architecture infrastructure, including the business units and key processes, using modeling techniques; - Ensuring technical integration is achieved across the enterprise by participating in test planning, validation, and reviews; - Evaluating the impact of enterprise architecture products and services on IT investments, business operations, stakeholder satisfaction, and other outcomes; - Coordinating and conducting governance and portfolio management activities associated with ensuring compliance with the enterprise architecture; - Ensuring the rigorous application of information security/information assurance policies, principles, and practices to all components of the enterprise architecture. (STIG/STE/STN)

Note: The agency is currently hiring Security Analysts to specialize in: - Technical Security

Job Summary

Do you want to make an impact on protecting physical security systems? Security Technologists assess, design, procure, install, inspect, and maintain technology-based security systems and equipment (such as alarms, locks, access control, or CCTV). Security Technologists evaluate and test new security technologies to protect against various terrorist threats and advise users on technical security issues and conduct training on new technology.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.A degree in any field is acceptable.Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: computer systems administration; systems networking; building, installing, maintaining, or training on technology-based security systems or equipment (for example, alarms, access control, closed circuit TV, and cipher locks).ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTALEntry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 4 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree and no experience.FULL PERFORMANCEEntry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 7 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree and no experience.

The ideal Security Technologist candidate is someone with a desire for continual learning, as well as strong communication (oral and written), problem-solving, analytic, interpersonal skills who is:

• Accountable
• Detail-oriented
• Adaptable
• Customer and results-oriented
• Able to manage multiple tasks with competing timelines and deliverables
• Able to work effectively (independently and/or within teams) across functional areas in a collaborative environment
• Able to distinguish basic colors; able to climb, use of legs and arms; crawling (hours); able to kneel (hours); moderate carrying, 15-45 pounds; able to operate a motor vehicle; able to pull hand over hand (hours); able to push (hours); able to reach above shoulder; able to operate lifts to more than 50 feet above ground.
• Capable of travel to overseas locations to include hostile areas (e.g. ability to successfully complete deployment processing)
• Maintains a valid driver's license

The following knowledge and experience is preferred:

• Installation and maintenance of Intrusion Detection and Physical Access Control Systems software applications
• Installation and maintenance of Video over IP/CCTV systems
• System Administration experience with Windows or Linux based operating systems and servers
• Network Administration experience
• Nutanix, Citrix, or Red Hat Linux is not required but would be desirable
• CCNA Certification
• SolarWinds
• CompTIA Security+-
• Proficient understanding of SQL databases and database technology
• Install, configure, and maintain switches and firewalls from major manufacturers (Cisco, Sonic Wall, Dell, etc.)

Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position.Salary Range: $57,736 - $133,142 (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance)Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience.Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).DCIPS Trial Period:If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.

DCIPS Disclaimer

**VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS**Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority.Veterans' PreferenceIn accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candidates. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility upon application.Acceptable documentation includes:- DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4); OR- Certification of Service:A written document on letterhead from the appropriate branch of the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should include the military service dates, including the expected discharge or release date; AND- Standard Form 15 (SF-15)Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf).If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability; AND- VA Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship rating)You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/).**Failure to provide sufficient documentation of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candidate during the hiring selection process.