Security Specialist
What you'd do
This position is located within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, KS. In this position, you will manage the facility's electronic security systems, including intrusion detection, cameras, video management platforms, and access control system, while performing administration, diagnostics, troubleshooting, inspections, and maintenance to ensure full operational readiness
Major duties
Manages the facility’s electronic security systems (ESS), including intrusion detection, cameras, video management platform, and access control system. Administers, programs, and troubleshoots the site's access control system, including updates to system architecture, field panels, readers, biometrics, and connectivity monitoring. Conducts routine inspections and maintenance of access control devices, sensors, cameras, and supporting security infrastructure. Monitors, evaluates, and updates system configurations, device inventories, and technical documentation to maintain accuracy and compliance. Supports implementation and monitoring of security policies and procedures to safeguard personnel, facilities, equipment, and critical materials. Analyzes complex security situations with insufficient, contradictory, or sensitive information to determine corrective actions. Prepares sensitive access control reports, audit documentation, access level reviews, alarm analyses, system design documentation, and compliance reports. Communicates system issues, resolutions, and audit results to management, Director, Security Leadership, and other stakeholders. Plans, sequences, and coordinates multiple concurrent security projects, security system tasks, installations, and corrective actions. Assists employees with access issues and responds to system support requests. Participates in investigations of suspected violations of criminal law or security regulations.
What you need to qualify
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. GS-11 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience consisting of performing technical work in administering components of electronic security systems-including access control, CCTV, and intrusion detection systems-by conducting troubleshooting, adjustments, and system maintenance; assisting in implementing security policies and procedures in compliance with regulations; creating and maintaining sensitive security reports such as access level reviews, alarm analyses, and audit documentation; participating in investigations; delivering security awareness training to groups or individuals; and supporting security operations through duties such as serving as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR). OR Education: successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. Related degrees include security administration, industrial security management, criminal justice. OR Combination of education and experience as described above. GS-12 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-12 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-11 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience serving as a technical authority for access control and alarm systems by programming, modifying, and overseeing system architecture and biometric integrations; independently developing or interpreting security policies, procedures, and internal guidelines supporting electronic security programs; coordinating and overseeing multiple large-scale or concurrent security projects and activities; preparing critical time-sensitive security reports essential for maintaining facility certifications; and performing authoritative COR duties, including contract oversight, quality assurance, and reporting. Time in Grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet the time in grade requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Physical Demands The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, crawling and similar activities. In addition, the work requires an average degree of dexterity and strength with the movement and placement of equipment and objects (up to 50 pounds with support). The incumbent engages in performing facility inspections of various types including general offices, laboratories and animal facilities which may require wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE), including a respirator (N-95 or PAPR) or a fully encapsulated air pressurized suit while entering infectious disease laboratories, or animal facilities areas. Travel may be required. Work Environment The work is performed in an office settings, infectious diseases laboratories, and as required, indoor animal holding facilities, necropsy rooms, insectaries and building mechanical spaces involved with inspections. Temperature extremes may occur as well as exposure to disagreeable odors, working around frightened, unpredictable, and ill-natured animals, and exposure to the risks and hazards of harmful biological, chemical, and physical agents. Immunizations with vaccines may be required to enter facilities. The work requires special safety precautions and PPE. Use of protective equipment, such as respirators, disposable personal protective clothing, encapsulated air pressurized suits, and eye protection, may be required. A degree of potential risk is involved due to biohazard laboratories. Other Considerations Motor Vehicle or Commercial Driver's License Required Drug Test Required Vaccine(s) Required Special Physical Requirements/Demands (may wear fully encapsulated suit.) SAC and full background investigation required for positions working with BSL-3 (or higher) agents, or in BSL-3/BSL-4 facilities. Other: Department of Justice (DOJ) Security Risk Assessment (SRA) approval is required. Immunizations are required. Respirator fitting and certification is required. TS/SCI clearance is required. The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations. To comply with USDA personnel security requirements and requirements of the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP) for access to information and areas with Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT), including Tier One Select Agents at NBAF, the incumbent must meet the following: Pre-employment and random testing of substances of abuse; Participation in and adherence to the facility's Occupational Health Program; Participation in and adherence to the facility's Personal Reliability Program; The ability to obtain/maintain favorably adjudicated Background Investigations or Security clearances (required by USDA); The ability to obtain/maintain a favorable Security Risk Assessment (required by FSAP). GS-11: Applicants must complete a fundamentals course and an advanced access course for the site's electronic access control platform and must obtain the associated professional certification within their first year of employment. GS-12: Work requires certification as a fully certified professional in the agency's enterprise access control system. As a condition of employment, the requirements listed above must be met.
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