Security Specialist

The position is located in the Security Policy, Appeals, & Performance Oversight Office (SPA&PO), Security Enterprise Services Directorate (SESD), Washington Headquarters Services (WHS). SPA&PO performs personnel security adjudication, security clearance appeal, administration, and policy functions for the Defense Agencies and Field Activities ( collectively referred to as the 4th Estate) falling under the purview of the Director of Administration and Management (DA&M). Incumbent typical work assignments may include the following: Directs the workflow of the Personnel Security Appeals Board (PSAB), reviewing and evaluating highly complex personnel security investigations, adjudicative decisions, counterintelligence reports, and criminal investigations to determine eligibility for national security sensitive positions and access to classified information. Serves as a recognized security authority and liaison, interpreting and applying current security regulations to conduct adjudicative coordination with internal stakeholders, other government agencies, and private organizations, while ensuring the strict custody and protection of active and archived adjudicative files. Collaborates with leadership to develop and refine security policy, identifying and resolving complex discrepancies, evaluating program effectiveness against organizational goals, and devising new methods and procedures to solve critical security and operational problems. Leads strategic automation and business planning initiatives, managing the design, conversion, and implementation of manual and automated record-keeping systems (including case file digitization), while utilizing tools like PowerBI and GenAI to track Directorate performance and identify operational trends. Develops and delivers comprehensive executive correspondence and oral presentations, preparing briefings, training sessions, and strategy consultations to secure cooperation, resolve controversial matters, and convey clear, data-driven security program options to leadership and interagency customers.