Security Officer (Special Security Officer)

About the role

This position is located in the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Administration.

What you will do

• HUD's Mission The mission of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is to foster strong communities by supporting access to quality, affordable housing, expanding the housing supply, and unlocking homeownership opportunities for the American people.
• The Department is committed to furthering the promise of self-sufficiency in every American while promoting economic development to revitalize rural, tribal, and urban communities across the country.
• HUD gives the most vulnerable Americans the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
• It's Office of Administration (OA), Office of National Security (ONS) propels that mission by safeguarding personnel, assets, and mission-critical operations through stakeholder collaboration with key leaders and critical stakeholders, enabling proactive risk mitigation and reinforcing mission assurance in support of long-term national security objectives.
• Envision what the government of the future should be: agile, responsive, efficient, accountable.
• ONS is making that vision a reality every day, because the vulnerable and homeless deserve no less.
• Join us in inventing the future of government today.
• Successful candidates to this one-of-a-kind team will be versatile leaders who: Serve as the Department's principal authority for Special Access Programs (SAP) and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security.
• Thrive in providing senior leaders guidance on risk and compliance, translating complex security requirements into practical, mission-enabling decisions Are ready to lead enterprise-wide SCI and SAP governance Have a passion for engaging with Intelligence Community (IC) and oversight partners, representing the Agency with credibility on SAP, SCIF, and classified program matters Welcome opportunities to shape and modernize the Department's classified posture, strengthening SCIF operations, SAP controls, and long-term intelligence infrastructure If you are passionate about good government, excited about innovating, craving technology solutions, and want to have fun while having an impact--HUD's OA, ONS is the place for you!
• As a Security Officer (Special Security Officer), you will: Serve as the technical authority responsible for safeguarding Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) from unauthorized access or inadvertent disclosure, in accordance with ICD 703, by ensuring only duly authorized and indoctrinated personnel access SCI in properly accredited facilities over approved networks.
• Protect highly defined information, materials, equipment, or processes by applying specifically tailored security criteria.
• Investigate and analyze a broad range of unusual SCI Security problems, questions, or conditions associated with handling, processing, storing, or discussing SCI or questions related to national SCI programs.
• Oversee and manage the lifecycle requirements of HUD's SCIFs, facilitates the granting and removal of personnel accesses, manages the scheduling of all SCIF events, executes SCI indoctrinations and debriefings, issues SCI courier cards, remediates and investigates SCI security incidents, and ensures the successful opening and closing of SCIF during normal and abnormal operations.
• Oversee ICD 705 accreditation and lifecycle requirements of HUD's SCIFs including SOPs, Emergency Plans, Fixed Facility Checklists, TEMPEST checklists (as needed/required), Co-Utilization Agreements (as needed, Concept of Operations (CONOPS), Construction Security Plans, alarm system testing and response documentation and SCIF Self-Inspections.
• Supply technical expertise on Intrusion Detection System (IDS) and Access Control System requirements during any/all SCIF construction.

Requirements

• The official duty station for this position will be in Alexandria, Virginia.
• Failure to report to duty at this location may be grounds for a disciplinary action, including removal.
• Key Requirements: Must be U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• A probationary or trial period may be required.
• Continued employment is contingent upon supervisory certification that continued employment will benefit the Federal Service; the certification will occur no less than 30 days before the end of the probationary/trial period.
• Must successfully complete a background investigation and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Clearance.
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form i-9.
• Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
• Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.
• Please refer to "Additional Information" Section for additional Conditions of Employment

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and the result of the online assessments required for this position.

Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination. In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.

The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Rating: You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration.

You may be required to participate in a selection interview. If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan(CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)) you must be rated as "well qualified" to receive special selection priority.

Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position.

Documents you must provide

• A complete application includes: 1.
• A resume: All applicants are required to submit a resume either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their own choosing.
• (Cover letters are optional.) USA Jobs restricts resume uploads to a maximum of 2 pages.
• Resumes attached in other sections (such as "Documents" or "Other") will not be considered in the determination of specialized experience.
• If multiple resumes are submitted, the resume submitted last (based on time stamp) will be the only one reviewed as a part of your application.
• To ensure readability, resumes must be formatted using an easy-to-read font (such as Lato, Calibri, or Arial) with a minimum font size of 10-points and margins no smaller than 0.5 inches.
• Failure to follow these formatting guidelines may result in disqualification from further consideration.
• To receive full credit for relevant experience, please list the month/date/year and number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume.
• For resume writing guidance, please visit USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job?
• Vacancy question responses: All applicants are required to complete vacancy question responses by clicking the apply online button of this vacancy announcement.
• Performance Appraisal or explanation: Submit a copy of all pages of your most recent completed annual performance appraisal, dated within 12 months of the opening date of this announcement, that includes the final rating.
• In cases where the performance appraisal is more than 12 months old, incomplete, missing pages, or unavailable, you must attach a written explanation of the reasons.
• Failure to do so may prevent you from being considered for this position.
• If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal or have not received one in the last 12 months, please submit a statement as to why it is not available when completing your application questionnaire.
• Submission of any required documents identified below, if applicable: Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible) CURRENT AND FORMER EMPLOYEES -- Documentation Relating to Your Federal Employment: Submit a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing competitive service as Tenure 1 or 2 (Block 24), Position Occupied as 1 - Competitive Service (Block 34), current Grade (Block 18) and Salary (Block 20).
• Typically Award SF-50s do not provide the required information.
• If the full performance level of your position is different from the grade indicated in Block 18, please provide proof of the full performance level.
• If your highest permanent grade is different from your current grade, submit a copy of an additional SF-50 showing that grade.
• If you are currently on a Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA), submit a copy of an SF-50 indicating that type of appointment.
• Also, you must submit a copy of your DD214 or other documentation showing dates of service and type of discharge and any other applicable documents such as SF-15, VA letters, etc. FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES (ELIGIBLE FOR NON-COMPETITIVE REINSTATEMENT): If you are a former federal employee and wish to be non-competitively reinstated for a higher grade or full performance level than which you left federal employment, you MUST provide a copy of your separation SF50 (the "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2") AND the last performance appraisal you received from your federal employment which shows at least a fully successful rating.
• (Note: the Performance Appraisal or explanation requirement as stated above is in addition to this requirement.) SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITY ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS: (e.g., Military Spouses, Interchange Agreement, VEOA, Schedule A Disability, etc.) please see USAJOBS Help Center - Unique Hiring Paths.
• In order to be eligible under one of these authorities, you must submit all required documentation as outlined in the applicant guide.
• VETERANS PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION: Submit documentation to support your claim.
• For more information about Veteran's Preference and how to claim it when applying for Federal employment, please visit this link: Feds Hire Vets LAND MANAGEMENT-BASED SPECIAL HIRING ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS: In order to be eligible under this authority you must submit all required documentation outlined in this link: USAJOBS Help Center - Base facilities or land management agency CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP) OR INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee, click CTAP/ICTAP for eligibility and a detailed list of required documents

Benefits

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.

What to expect next

After you have completed your initial application, you will be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement.

You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.

We will review your resume to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the minimum qualifications based on the information provided and may interview the best-qualified applicants. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct any required suitability and/or security background investigation.

Additional information

OTHER INFORMATION: We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Relocation expenses will not be paid. Relocation incentive will not be paid.

Recruitment incentive will not be paid. This is a non-bargaining unit position. This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

HUD offers alternative and flexible work schedules. This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies for similar positions across HUD. During the online application process, you will be asked to specify if you would like your application information shared with other hiring managers in the Program Office listed in this announcement or in other HUD Program Offices.

Opting to share your application information will not impact your application for this announcement, nor will it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (CONTINUED): HUD employees are subject to a number of government-wide and HUD specific ethics laws and regulations, including restrictions on working in a real estate related business, and having Section 8 tenants, along with other prohibited interests and activities.

Must possess or be able to obtain a Special Security Officer (SSO) certification within six (6) months of entrance on duty.

Must be able to work overtime or shift work as needed and relocate to alternate facilities in the event of a Departmental or Federally declared emergency.

Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain a Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM Senor Level Certificate) after entrance on duty.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions (you must submit a DD214-member copy 4).

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION 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 reasonable accommodation in your online application.

Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations 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 Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: ***