Associate Special Security Officer - Personnel Security

Requisition Id 17229 

An active TS, Q, or TS/SCI clearance is required for consideration.

Overview:  

We are seeking an Associate Special Security Officer (ASSO) – Personnel Security to support personnel security operations within a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) environment. The ASSO will work as part of the Special Security Office (SSO) and support the administration, coordination, and execution of personnel security requirements for employees, subcontractors, visitors, and other personnel requiring access to classified and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).

This position requires a highly organized, customer-focused security professional who can effectively manage sensitive personnel security actions while maintaining strict compliance with applicable Intelligence Community (IC), Department of Energy (DOE), and organizational security requirements. The successful candidate will routinely interact with employees, management, security professionals, government representatives, and external organizations and must demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple time-sensitive actions in a dynamic mission environment.

The position requires Top-Secret Clearance with access to Q and SCI.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Support day-to-day personnel security and SCI access administration within the Special Security Office.
• Process and coordinate requests for SCI access, indoctrinations, debriefings, access changes, transfers, and other personnel security actions.
• Review personnel security documentation for completeness, accuracy, eligibility, and compliance with applicable security requirements.
• Maintain accurate personnel security records, access rosters, databases, files, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate incoming and outgoing clearance and SCI verification/certification actions with government agencies, security offices, and other authorized organizations.
• Support personnel security actions associated with employees, subcontractors, consultants, visitors, and other mission partners.
• Conduct or support SCI indoctrinations, security briefings, debriefings, and nondisclosure agreement processing as authorized.
• Assist with visit certifications, access verification, reciprocity, crossover actions, and other personnel-access requirements.
• Monitor pending personnel security actions and proactively identify issues that could delay mission access or program support.
• Provide timely status information to security leadership, program personnel, managers, and other authorized stakeholders.
• Protect Privacy Act, Personally Identifiable Information (PII), classified information, and other sensitive personnel security information.
• Assist with periodic reviews of SCI access requirements and support efforts to ensure access remains based on mission need and need-to-know.
• Support security incident and inquiry processes involving personnel security matters, as directed.
• Assist with preparation for internal and external security assessments, inspections, and compliance reviews.
• Develop, maintain, and improve personnel security procedures, job aids, templates, records, and workflow documentation.
• Identify opportunities to streamline personnel security processes, reduce processing delays, improve data quality, and enhance customer service.
• Coordinate closely with other SSO functions, Information Assurance, physical security, program management, Human Resources, and other security disciplines as required.
• Maintain awareness of changes to applicable personnel security and SCI policies and assist with implementing new requirements.
• Perform other security duties necessary to support safe, secure, and compliant SCIF operations.

• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success

Basic Qualifications:

• BS degree in security management, criminal justice, business administration, intelligence studies, or a related field with 2-4 years of experience supporting personnel security, industrial security, special security, intelligence security, or classified operations. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience handling sensitive personnel information and maintaining security-related records.
• Experience interpreting and applying policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability and willingness to work primarily in a SCIF/classified environment, where personal electronic devices and remote-work capabilities may be restricted.
• Must possess an active TS, Q, or TS/SCI clearance; TS/SCI eligibility or access may be required based on mission requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:          

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple actions, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive personnel and security matters.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary security and mission-support team.
• Previous experience working in a Special Security Officer (SSO) or supporting SCI personnel security operations.
• Experience serving as an ASSO, Assistant Facility Security Officer, Personnel Security Specialist, Security Specialist, or similar position.
• Working knowledge of Intelligence Community personnel security and SCI access processes.
• Experience with DISS, Scattered Castles, NBIS, or other government personnel security/access-management systems, as applicable to assigned duties.
• Experience processing SCI nominations, indoctrinations, debriefings, visit certifications, reciprocity/crossover actions, and access verifications.
• Familiarity with applicable ICDs, Intelligence Community security policy, DOE security requirements, and national-level personnel security requirements.
• Experience supporting security inspections, assessments, self-assessments, or audit-readiness activities.
• Experience developing or maintaining SOPs, process documentation, metrics, or workflow improvements.
• Experience supporting personnel security within the DOE, Department of War, Intelligence Community, national laboratory, or similarly regulated environment.
• Demonstrated ability to provide responsive customer service while maintaining security and compliance requirements. 

Special Requirements:

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.  In addition, due the SCI, you may also be subject to random polygraph testing. 

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.