Physical Security Specialist

Summary

The Office of the Inspector General is one of the best places to work in the Department of Justice and is one of the premier inspector general offices in federal government. We offer excellent work-life flexibilities. The Management and Planning Division (M&P) advises and supports the OIG in the following areas: administrative and fiscal policy, executive resources, training, finance, quality assurance, procurement, facilities, human resources, security, and records management.

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Duties

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As a Physical Security Physical Specialist at the GS-0080-09 you will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Assisting with facility risk and vulnerability assessments, Facility Security Assessments (FSA), physical security inspections, key and lock control activities, and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) space projects.
• Carrying out tasks supporting new construction, renovations, repairs, facility alterations, and security system upgrades.
• Drafting exercise documentation and After-Action Reports and tracks identified corrective actions.
• Participating in security inspections and compliance activities and assists with documenting findings, maintaining records, and tracking corrective actions.

As a Physical Security Physical Specialist at the GS-0080-11 you will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Reviewing architectural and engineering drawings, security layouts, and project designs to determine appropriate placement of access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, locking hardware, and other protective countermeasures.
• Conducting compliance reviews, evaluates deficiencies, recommends corrective actions, maintains required accountability, and provides guidance to employees on established security requirements.
• Coordinates with OSP programs, internal organizations, Department components, and other stakeholders to ensure physical security requirements are appropriately integrated with personnel, information, document, and SCI security requirements.
• Identifying potential conflicts or gaps in established requirements and recommends changes to improve security, compliance, and operational effectiveness.

As a Physical Security Physical Specialist at the GS-0080-12 you will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Developing technical requirements, evaluates alternatives, reviews architectural and engineering designs, determines appropriate countermeasure placement, and recommends design changes necessary to meet security and operational requirements.
• Negotiating technical solutions when proposed designs, construction conditions, costs, or operational requirements conflict with security objectives. Identifies and implements opportunities to streamline project execution, standardize countermeasures, improve ESS implementation, and reduce unnecessary cost or duplication.
• Planning and conducing continuity exercises, evacuation and shelter-in-place drills, and readiness assessments.
• Evaluates security issues affecting facilities and operations and develops recommendations to integrate PHYSEC requirements with related security and operational programs.

As a Physical Security Physical Specialist at the GS-0080-13 you will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Serving as Assistant Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and independently works with the Contracting Officer (CO) to develop and execute assigned contract actions.
• Leading facility security assessments, vulnerability reviews, inspections, and corrective-action initiatives.
• Providing recommendations to the Senior Physical Security Specialist concerning program requirements, emerging issues, policy implementation, and improvements to agency security practices.
• Serving as a technical advisor to management on continuity, emergency preparedness, organizational resilience, and facility readiness requirements.
• Advising management on complex security issues, risk mitigation strategies, resource requirements, and alternative courses of action.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• You must be registered for the Selective Service, if applicable.
• You must successfully pass and are subject to random drug screenings.
• You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• You must complete the USAHire Questionnaire in order to be considered for this position.
• You may be subject to a probationary period.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position at the GS-0080-09 grade level , y ou must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level obtained in the federal government. (Specialized experience is paid or unpaid experience which has equipped you with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.) Examples of specialized experience include such duties as:

1. Conducting or assisting with physical security inspections, risk or vulnerability assessments, and documenting security deficiencies and recommended corrective actions.
2. Supporting physical security projects involving access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, locking hardware, facility improvements, or other protective measures.
3. Reviewing security documentation, drawings, project information, or technical requirements to identify potential security concerns and support implementation of established security standards.
4. Supporting continuity, emergency preparedness, or occupant emergency programs through exercises, drills, plan maintenance, accountability activities, emergency communications, or after-action documentation.
5. Coordinating security activities and corrective actions with internal organizations, facility personnel, contractors, or other stakeholders.
6. other documentation to ensure accuracy and compliance with established requirements.

OR, A Master's or equivalent graduate degree, 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL. B or JD.

OR, a combination of education and specialized experience when combined is equivalent to 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 grade level.

To qualify for this position at the GS-2210-11 grade level , you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level obtained in the federal government. (Specialized experience is paid or unpaid experience which has equipped you with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.) Examples of specialized experience include such duties as;

1. Conducting physical security risk, vulnerability, or facility security assessments; identifying deficiencies and recommending corrective actions or protective measures.
2. Planning or carrying out physical security projects involving access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, locking hardware, facility construction or renovation, or other protective systems.
3. Reviewing facility drawings, security layouts, project designs, or technical requirements to determine appropriate physical security measures and identify security deficiencies.
4. Planning, coordinating, or evaluating continuity, emergency preparedness, or occupant emergency activities, including exercises, drills, emergency communications, accountability procedures, or after-action reviews.
5. Developing or reviewing security project requirements, technical documentation, cost estimates, acquisition documentation, or contractor deliverables supporting physical security projects.
6. Coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to resolve physical security issues, implement corrective actions, and ensure security requirements are incorporated into projects or program activities.

OR a Ph.D. or LL.M. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR a combination of education and specialized experience when combined is equivalent to 1 year of specialized experience. ( YOU MUST PROVIDE A TRANSCRIPT TO VALIDATE EDUCATION)

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level , you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level obtained in the federal government. (Specialized experience is paid or unpaid experience which has equipped you with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.) Examples of specialized experience include such duties as:

1. Planning and implementing physical security projects involving facility construction, renovations, Electronic Security Systems (ESS), access control, intrusion detection, surveillance, locking systems, or other protective countermeasures.
2. Conducting facility security assessments, inspections, or vulnerability reviews; evaluating findings and developing corrective actions to address identified security deficiencies.
3. Reviewing architectural or engineering designs and developing technical security requirements, Statements of Work (SOW), cost estimates, or other documentation supporting physical security projects.
4. Performing contract or acquisition support activities, such as reviewing contractor proposals and submittals, monitoring performance, validating deliverables, or supporting contract modifications.
5. Planning, conducting, or evaluating continuity and emergency preparedness activities, including exercises, drills, readiness assessments, emergency communications, accountability procedures, or corrective actions.

To qualify for this position at the GS-13 grade level , you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level obtained in the federal government. (Specialized experience is paid or unpaid experience which has equipped you with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.) Examples of specialized experience include such duties as:

1. Planning, leading, and implementing complex physical security projects involving new construction, renovations, Electronic Security Systems (ESS), hardened construction, or other protective countermeasures.
2. Conducting complex facility security assessments or vulnerability reviews; analyzing security risks, evaluating alternative countermeasures, and recommending solutions to mitigate identified vulnerabilities.
3. Developing technical security requirements and acquisition documentation and providing technical oversight of physical security contracts, contractor performance, deliverables, task orders, or modifications.
4. Providing technical advice to management, architects, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders to resolve complex physical security design, construction, or operational issues.
5. Planning, developing, implementing, or evaluating continuity and emergency preparedness programs, exercises, readiness assessments, and corrective actions supporting organizational resilience.

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade level (or equivalent).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

** PROBATIONARY INFORMATION :

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary or 2-year trial periodduring which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

- Your performance and conduct;

- The needs and interests of the agency;

- Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and

- Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

If using education to qualify, at the GS-9 level, a masters or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree may be substituted. At the GS-11 level, a Ph.D. or equivalent, or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.

All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see For foreign education, see:

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at:

All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

DOJ EEO Statement/Policy: the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here:

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): VEOA allows eligible veterans to apply and compete for positions announced under merit promotion procedures when the hiring agency is recruiting from outside its own workforce. To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service. If you are applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under the VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement.

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at:

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.

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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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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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.