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.

Duties

• 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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position at the GS-0080-09 grade level, you 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: Conducting or assisting with physical security inspections, risk or vulnerability assessments, and documenting security deficiencies and recommended corrective actions. Supporting physical security projects involving access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, locking hardware, facility improvements, or other protective measures. Reviewing security documentation, drawings, project information, or technical requirements to identify potential security concerns and support implementation of established security standards. Supporting continuity, emergency preparedness, or occupant emergency programs through exercises, drills, plan maintenance, accountability activities, emergency communications, or after-action documentation. Coordinating security activities and corrective actions with internal organizations, facility personnel, contractors, or other stakeholders. 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; Conducting physical security risk, vulnerability, or facility security assessments; identifying deficiencies and recommending corrective actions or protective measures. Planning or carrying out physical security projects involving access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, locking hardware, facility construction or renovation, or other protective systems. Reviewing facility drawings, security layouts, project designs, or technical requirements to determine appropriate physical security measures and identify security deficiencies. Planning, coordinating, or evaluating continuity, emergency preparedness, or occupant emergency activities, including exercises, drills, emergency communications, accountability procedures, or after-action reviews. Developing or reviewing security project requirements, technical documentation, cost estimates, acquisition documentation, or contractor deliverables supporting physical security projects. 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: 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. Conducting facility security assessments, inspections, or vulnerability reviews; evaluating findings and developing corrective actions to address identified security deficiencies. Reviewing architectural or engineering designs and developing technical security requirements, Statements of Work (SOW), cost estimates, or other documentation supporting physical security projects. Performing contract or acquisition support activities, such as reviewing contractor proposals and submittals, monitoring performance, validating deliverables, or supporting contract modifications. 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: Planning, leading, and implementing complex physical security projects involving new construction, renovations, Electronic Security Systems (ESS), hardened construction, or other protective countermeasures. Conducting complex facility security assessments or vulnerability reviews; analyzing security risks, evaluating alternative countermeasures, and recommending solutions to mitigate identified vulnerabilities. Developing technical security requirements and acquisition documentation and providing technical oversight of physical security contracts, contractor performance, deliverables, task orders, or modifications. Providing technical advice to management, architects, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders to resolve complex physical security design, construction, or operational issues. 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 period during 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 www.ed.gov. For foreign education, see: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html 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: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

How to apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/08/2026 to receive consideration. Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you via email notification. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder. If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Click here for Computer System Requirements (https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_System_Requirements) Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can reuse the URL sent to you via email and also found in your USAJOBS account under the "Track my application" link for the corresponding application. To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account (https://usajobs.gov). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account at https://www.usajobs.gov. On the Home page, scroll down and locate your job application. Once the job has been located, click the "Track this application" link on the right under the application date. The page will refresh to display the Agency's Application Information page where you can scroll down and review any notifications the agency has sent you. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.