Senior Facility Security Officer (FSO)

MITRE; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

At MITRE, the Senior Facility Security Officer (FSO) manages security compliance and operations at the McLean campus, ensuring the protection of National Security Information. This pivotal role demands extensive experience and independent judgment to align security solutions with business needs, while collaborating with multiple stakeholders. Join a team dedicated to impactful work for the public interest.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of related experience and a Bachelor's, or 8 years with a Master's.
• Expertise in NISPOM/32 CFR Part 117 compliance.
• Clearance level: Top Secret.

Responsibilities

• Manage security operations and compliance at the facility.
• Lead security education and training initiatives.
• Perform security incident investigations and maintain documentation.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Independent judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Job description

Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That's because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation's toughest challenges—and we're committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We're making a difference every day—working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE - and make a difference with us.

Department Summary:

MITRE Industrial Security Programs (ISP) oversees the operations of classified facilities and ensures the implementation of operative security controls intended for the protection of unclassified and classified national security information (NSI) developed by or entrusted to MITRE as a member of the National Industrial Security Program (NISP). The department applies resources to mitigate risk across operational domains through a continuum of security administration standards, control strategies, and oversight levels that align with corporate needs and expectations.

The incumbent will be responsible as the Senior Facility Security Officer (FSO) for McLean Campus. Senior FSO will be responsible for ensuring the protection of National Security Information in accordance with the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM)/32 CFR Part 117. Responsibilities include program oversight, evaluations, and the security education of cleared employees on promulgated government and company initiatives, policies and procedures. This position is highly dynamic and integrates with multiple business portfolios and interfaces with representatives from multiple sponsors as the main security point of contact for relevant government security agencies.

The Senior FSO will utilize their substantial experience and independent judgment to provide an effective security program that meets NISPOM/32 CFR Part 117, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), and corporate security requirements. Their success will focus on the partnership with our customers and employees to manage security risks, provide security training, and advance MITRE’s mission by aligning security solutions with business needs and delivering value.

This opportunity requires a seasoned security professional with deep expertise across all facets of security disciplines. The Senior FSO must be a strategic thinker who can exercise independent judgment and knowledge to manage risks, deliver security training and align security solutions with business needs. The Senior FSO will collaborate with Senior Level customers, employees and sponsors to meet objectives while ensuring MITRE’s security program remains effective, compliant with Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) standards, and aligned with corporate security requirements. The FSO’s success will drive MITRE’s mission forward, strengthening our security posture through meaningful partnerships. Additionally, the FSO will play a key role in understanding sponsor-specific needs to empower MITRE programs and projects to achieve their goals.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Management of security operations and NISP/NISPOM compliance for a secured facility.
• The Facility Security Officer (FSO) will be responsible for developing, implementing, supervising, and maintaining a campus collateral security program for Department of Defense (DoD) elements of the facility.
• The FSO will conduct actions and procedures, and will properly account for, control, transmit, safeguard, and destroy classified information in accordance with applicable regulations including the DD254. Additionally, the FSO will generate and oversee a security education training and awareness program for the technical staff operating in secure spaces within their cognizance, and will distribute periodic notifications to indoctrinated staff, emphasizing unauthorized disclosure awareness, classification management, personal reporting requirements, and day-to-day security program execution.
• The FSO will be responsible for multiple Open Storage Areas (OSAs) and will prepare and maintain documentation for each. The FSO will use 32 CFR 2001.53 and other technical specifications to design new secure spaces or develop modifications and construction security plans for secure areas based on their accreditation status and Sponsor requirements.
• The FSO is expected to provide support to technical staff planning meetings by helping with coordination and visitor management, e.g., sending and receiving clearances through visitor approval requests (VARs).
• Oversee security incident investigations in accordance with MITRE policy, NISPOM/32 CFR Part 117, and DCSA guidelines, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
• Create and implement Standard Practices and Procedures (SPP) documentation.
• Manage data compliance in DISS, NISS, SIMS and other system of records.
• Lead the NISP annual security self-inspection, coordinating with internal stakeholders and DCSA representatives.
• The FSO will collaborate with the Information System Security Manager (ISSM) or Information System Security Officer (ISSO) with maintaining appropriate accreditation documentation for each information system (IS) within the secure area under their cognizance and address any shortcomings.The FSO will properly account for, control, transmit, package, and safeguard COMESEC information, and administer periodic software and cryptographical key updates.
• Analyze and validate documented processes, procedures, and standards to maintain a robust security posture, identifying and addressing any shortcomings in security and compliance processes.
• Assist in issuing, tracking, and maintaining DD-254s and subcontract security requirements.
• The candidate must be professional, capable of independent engagement, and possess the ability to collaborate with peers and personnel outside of your team to ensure adherence to regulations and guidelines. Additionally, the candidate must be adept to independent decision-making, possess a high degree of individual initiative and organizational skills, and function with minimal supervision.

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Excellent organizational and communications skills, and the ability to effectively interact with staff and customers at all levels. In-depth knowledge, experience, and demonstrated ability to successfully enable NISPOM/32 CFR Part 117 implementation and mission requirements, for most CSAs, in a large complex with multiple facilities. Experience with managing staff.
• Completed DCSA Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE) FSO Program Management for Possessing Facilities course.
• Clearance level: Top Secret
• 4 + years of experience with leadership/team management
• This position has an on-site requirement of 5 days a week on-site

Preferred Qualifications:

• Clearance: Top Secret/SCI
• Excellent interpersonal skills, discretion, diplomacy, tact, and ability to work with both the staff and MITRE leadership and external sponsors
• Proven track record in managing staff to meet sponsor needs
• Strong verbal and written communications skills and the ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences across MITRE

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

Top Secret

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Top Secret/SCI

Work Location Type:

Onsite

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law. For further information please visit the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website Know Your Rights Poster.

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