Program Security Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

The Program Security Specialist provides comprehensive security support for Special Access Programs (SAPs), ensuring compliance with applicable Department of Defense and agency security directives.

In this role, the successful candidate is responsible for administering and coordinating physical, personnel, industrial, communications, and classified information security activities to protect sensitive facilities, personnel, information, systems, and assets throughout the SAP lifecycle.

Working closely with government customers, security professionals, and program personnel, the PSS supports security planning, risk mitigation, access control, visitor management, security education, classified material accountability, facility accreditation, and compliance oversight. This position plays a critical role in maintaining program integrity, safeguarding national security information, and ensuring continued compliance with all applicable security requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support and administer all aspects of physical security for Special Access Programs (SAPs), including SAP facility planning and construction reviews, accreditation packages, facility inspections, security compliance assessments, lock and combination control, access control procedures, and maintenance of required facility security documentation.
• Serve as the designated SAP Personnel Security Official (SPO), responsible for processing Program Access Requests (PARs), conducting personnel security interviews, administering indoctrinations and debriefings, managing access eligibility determinations, and maintaining personnel security records in accordance with applicable security directives.
• Manage and coordinate foreign travel and foreign contact reporting, classified visits, visit certifications, and visitor access requirements, ensuring compliance with SAP security policies and reporting obligations.
• Develop, coordinate, and deliver security education, awareness, and training programs, including initial security briefings, annual refresher training, specialized SAP security training, and the creation and maintenance of security training materials, job aids, and program guidance.
• Perform classified information management and accountability functions, serving as the SAP Accountability Officer (SAO) and ensuring proper receipt, control, inventory, transmission, storage, destruction, and accountability of Top Secret and SAP material. Maintain classified accountability systems and support secure communications programs and procedures.
• Support industrial security operations by preparing and maintaining DD Form 254s, distributing and implementing security policies and procedures, coordinating with contractor security personnel, monitoring compliance with contractual security requirements, and assisting with security reviews and inspections.
• Conduct security audits, self-inspections, compliance reviews, and vulnerability assessments to identify risks, recommend corrective actions, and ensure continued adherence to Department of Defense, agency, and program security requirements.
• Serve as a trusted security liaison between government stakeholders, program personnel, and supporting organizations, providing security guidance, interpreting policies, resolving security concerns, and supporting the protection of personnel, facilities, information, systems, and assets throughout the program lifecycle.
• Prepare reports, correspondence, security documentation, and program records while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, accountability, and confidentiality.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of program security, mission requirements, and organizational objectives.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility and access.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience supporting Special Access Programs (SAP), personnel security, industrial security, program security, or related national security environments.
• Working knowledge of applicable security policies, directives, and regulations, including DoDM 5205.07, NPR 1600.2B, National Industrial Security Program (NISP) requirements, and other Department of Defense and agency security directives governing classified and SAP operations.
• Experience administering or supporting multiple security disciplines, including personnel security, physical security, classified information management, communications security (COMSEC), industrial security, and access control programs.
• Proficiency with security-related systems, databases, and collaboration tools such as SIMS, JADE, DISS, Scattered Castles, SharePoint, or comparable security and personnel management platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive information, maintain accurate security documentation, and ensure compliance with security reporting, recordkeeping, and accountability requirements.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic security environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with government customers, program personnel, security officials, and senior leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as a Special Access Program Personnel Security Official (SPO), SAP Accountability Officer (SAO), or in a comparable security management role.

• Experience supporting SAPFs, accredited classified facilities, or compartmented security programs.

• Prior experience processing Program Access Requests (PARs), conducting indoctrinations and debriefings, managing classified visits, and administering foreign travel and foreign contact reporting programs.

• Completion of government-sponsored SAP, personnel security, industrial security, or classified information management training courses.

• Experience supporting federal civilian agencies, Department of Defense organizations, intelligence community programs, or other highly classified mission environments.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of Special Access Program (SAP) security requirements, personnel security processes, physical security procedures, industrial security principles, and classified information protection programs.

• Knowledge of applicable federal security regulations and guidance, including DoDM 5205.07, NPR 1600.2B, NISPOM, Intelligence Community directives, and related agency security policies, with the ability to interpret and apply requirements in a dynamic operational environment.

• Knowledge of classified information handling, safeguarding, accountability, transmission, destruction, visit control, access management, and security documentation requirements.

• Skill in administering personnel security programs, including processing Program Access Requests (PARs), conducting security interviews, managing security files, coordinating indoctrinations and debriefings, and maintaining access eligibility records.

• Skill in conducting security inspections, self-assessments, compliance reviews, and vulnerability assessments while identifying deficiencies and recommending corrective actions.