Alternate Special Security Officer - National Security Research Oversight Office

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Working at NLR

Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.

At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Job Description

The National Security Research Oversight Office (NSRO) enables and oversees the National Laboratory of the Rockies’ (NLR) portfolio of national security work in accordance with the U.S Department of Energy and other governmental agency requirements.  

NLR is actively seeking an individual experienced in special security operations to join the NSRO as an Alternate Special Security Officer. This position will report to the NSRO Director, supporting the Special Security Officer (SSO). The position requires a self-motivated professional capable of managing and administering security programs for classified and proprietary operations. You will also initially serve as a Site Security Manager (SSM). As the SSM, you will lead on-site security operations supporting the construction of a SCIF.  You will act as the primary liaison between customers, construction teams, and security personnel to ensure strict compliance with ICD 705 requirements, Construction Security Plans (CSPs) and design standards.  Upon completion of the project, you will assume the responsibilities of an ASSO supporting secure facilities across the site. In collaboration with the SSO and colleagues in NLR’s Office of Laboratory Protection (OLP), you will support day-to-day security operations for NSRO, ensuring compliance with all applicable government regulations and policies.

The selected applicant will support the NSRO and broader national security research team through responsibilities including: 

• Serve as the primary on-site authority for all construction security operations and construction site access controls.
• Supervise, train and coordinate daily activities of Construction Surveillance Technicians (CSTs) and Access Control Specialists.
• Review construction drawings, blueprints, and project documentation to verify adherence to approved security requirements.
• Oversee site audits and ensure all required documentation is properly maintained.

• Serve as a point of contact for SCIFs, and related NSRO responsibilities. Provide training and oversight to personnel to ensure adherence to security protocols. 

• Establish and maintain liaison with government agencies, external customers, NREL managers, employees, and contractors ensure compliance with National Policy. 

• Collaborate with OLP to design, implement, and refine security programs, policies, and procedures for safeguarding classified and proprietary materials. 

• Act as a security specialist for SCIF-related activities including document control, physical security (PHYSEC), information assurance (IA), personnel security (PERSEC), operational security (OPSEC), and communications security (COMSEC). 

• In coordination with OLP draft and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Emergency Action Plans for SCIFs. 

• Support investigation of security violations, prepare reports, and recommend preventative and corrective measures. 

• Oversee the receipt, processing, distribution, and tracking of classified documentation in physical and electronic forms as required by policy. 

• Implement and manage visitor control procedures in compliance with local and national security policy. 

• Work closely with DOE/IN, DOE, OLP and NLR Research Operations to ensure collaboration and consistency with NSRO policy in addition to supporting emerging operational needs, including new facility development. 

• Work closely with Research Operations to integrate established NSRO policies and procedures with operations, and to support requirements for new facilities and capabilities. 

• Evaluate complex SCI risks and develop appropriate mitigations. 

• Significant experience training and mentoring teams unfamiliar with secure operations and policies. 

• Demonstrated ability to write clear and concise policies, training documents, investigative/formal reports, and operational documents. 

• Background and knowledge related to SCI regulations, facilities, and SCI control systems. 

• Knowledge of SCIF construction requirements. 

• Exceptional organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage concurrent priorities. 

• Strong analytical skills; customer service experience; and the ability to interpret, communicate, and implement complex instructions. 

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.

• Previous COMSEC experience. 

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Basic Qualifications

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Must hold an active DOE Q, DOE TS, or other agency TS security clearance with the ability to obtain SCI access. SCI access may require a polygraph examination. Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE O 472.2A for additional information. 

• Ability to pass periodic full-scope polygraph tests. 

• Minimum of 6 years of experience as an SSO/CSSO in DOE, DoD, or other federal agency with oversight of sensitive security operations. 

• Knowledge of security regulations, including 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM Rule), Executive Orders 12333 and 13526, and Intelligence Community Directives (ICDs) such as the 700 series. 

• Broad expertise in security disciplines, including personnel security, physical security, technical security, COMSEC, and OPSEC. 

• Ability to work collaboratively with NLR managers, staff and other partners to form enterprise-level active security strategies, best practices and policies. 

• Experience working in a dynamic environment with shifting priorities.

• Willingness to travel (up to 10%) during programming and construction of SCIF facilities and for refinement of policies and procedures.

• Ability to respond to after-hours alarms within required timeframes. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience training and mentoring teams unfamiliar with secure operations and policies.
• Direct experience in the design and construction of new SCIFs.
• Demonstrated ability to write clear and concise policies, training documents, investigative/formal reports, and operational documents.
• Background and knowledge related to SCI regulations, facilities, and SCI control systems.
• Knowledge of SCIF construction requirements.
• Exceptional organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage concurrent priorities.
• Strong analytical skills; customer service experience; and the ability to interpret, communicate, and implement complex instructions.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Previous COMSEC experience.

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

NLR takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

Drug Free Workplace

NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NLR you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

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