Summary
Do you have expertise with policy within the federal government? Do you have knowledge and experience with the control and accountability of Communications Security (COMSEC) material and/or COMSEC policy? As a COMSEC Auditor for the NSA Central Office of Record, you will have the opportunity to travel the world to ensure that our Government and contractor's sites are in compliance with both national and NSA's standards related to the protection of our nation's COMSEC material.
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Federal employees - Excepted service
Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.
Veterans
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference
Individuals with disabilities
Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.
Duties
COMSEC Auditor Corporate Policy Officer responsibilities:
- Research and develop policies that guide behavior and support mission objectives
- Interpret, review, and coordinate National policies that affect COMSEC activities with the Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of Defense (DoD)
- Recommend official NSA positions on policies to senior leadership
- Advocate, promote, and coordinate NSA/CSS policy positions with counterparts as required in the IC, DoD, other Executive Branch agencies, and others - Maintain a comprehensive understanding of national and NSA/CSS Central Office of Record level policies
- Coordinate logistics and administrative items
- Provide policy expertise to 1700 NSA Central Office of Record COMSEC accounts
- Perform COMSEC audits of accounts in US and overseas for compliancy with National and NSA policies
- Travel in the U.S. and overseas for approximately 8 weeks per year - Communicate with COMSEC Account personnel before, during, and after the audit
- Author formal COMSEC Audit reports upon completion of the audit
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.
Qualifications
The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.
Degree in a Writing or Policy related field (e.g., Law, Communications, Public Policy, Technical Writing, Creative Writing, and English) is preferred, but a degree in any field is acceptable.
FULL PERFORMANCE
Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree and no experience. A high school diploma or GED plus 7 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position.
Relevant experience must be performing policy related work in a subject matter related to the position in which the candidate is applying (e.g., regulatory, national and foreign security, budget and public finance) within the government or as a government contractor.
SENIOR
Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 6 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant experience. A high school diploma or GED plus 10 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position.
Relevant experience must be performing policy related work in a subject matter related to the position in which the candidate is applying (e.g., regulatory, national and foreign security, budget and public finance) within the government or as a government contractor, and project management or formal/informal leadership.
Additional information
Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position.
Salary Range: $84,601 - $185,234 (Full Performance - Senior)
Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.
Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience.
Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.
Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).
DCIPS Trial Period:
If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The ideal candidate for Corporate Policy Officer possesses these qualities:
- Continual learner, problem solver
- Strong communicator (both written and oral)
- An active listener
- Politically savvy
- Accountable
- Adaptable
- Able to balance details with strategic vision
- Able to work effectively (independently and/or within teams) across functional areas in a collaborative environment
- Able to manage multiple tasks with competing timelines and deliverables
Knowledge and experience for the Corporate Policy Officer / COMSEC Auditor in one or more of the following areas is imperative:
- Communications Security (COMSEC)
- top preference
- Cybersecurity
- Signals Intelligence
- Information Technology
- Program Management
- Personnel and Physical Security
- Auditing
The ideal Corporate Policy Officer/COMSEC Auditor is someone that understands COMSEC material control and accountability, processes, policies, and procedures. Experience with COMSEC Material Control System (CMCS) is imperative.
Required Documents
**VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS**
Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority.
Veterans' Preference
In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candidates. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility upon application.
Acceptable documentation includes:
- DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4);
OR
- Certification of Service:
A written document on letterhead from the appropriate branch of the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should include the military service dates, including the expected discharge or release date;
AND
- Standard Form 15 (SF-15)
Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf).
If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability;
AND
- VA Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship rating)
You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/).
**Failure to provide sufficient documentation of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candidate during the hiring selection process.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.