Summary
See QUALIFICATIONS for important information about this position and conditions that apply.
Serves as a Supervisory Security Specialist, responsible for the overall management, accountability and oversight of security and resiliency programs, which may include insider threat, physical security, personnel security, inspection and analysis or related areas.
See DUTIES for additional responsibilities of this position.
This job is open to
Federal employees - Competitive service
Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.
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
Military spouses
Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.
Clarification from the agency
Vacancy is open to current or former federal employees, certain military spouses and veterans eligible under VEOA. For more details on eligibility, see ADDITIONAL INFORMATION below. This position is not authorized to be filled virtually or through outstationing. The Official Duty Station (ODS) for this position is SSA-HQ, Woodlawn, Maryland. To participate in telework (when authorized), you must reside within a 2-hour commute to the ODS.
Duties
- Shapes and implements strategies to detect, deter, and mitigate insider threats and resiliency risks across the organization.
- Oversees monitoring, analysis, and response operations related to insider threat and resiliency, including performance metrics and compliance assessments.
- Develops and delivers insider threat awareness and resiliency training programs for employees and contractors.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- U.S. Citizenship required. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov
- Fingerprinting and background and/or security investigation may be required. Job offers are contingent on fingerprinting and background / security investigation results.
- All application materials must be received by the closing date. All application forms submitted become the property of SSA Human Resources. Requests for copies of application documents will not be accepted.
- Applicants must be in good standing. Applicants must have a fully successful rating of record. Official Personnel Folders will not be reviewed.
- See QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS sections for more information about this position.
- Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered. Visit the 'Required Documents' section below for more information.
Qualifications
To meet Minimum Qualifications for this GS-15 Supervisory Security Specialist position you must demonstrate at least 52 weeks of Specialized Experience.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Must have been gained in a federal position at or above GS-14 OR (if your position is on another federal pay scale or outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level of responsibility and difficulty equivalent to GS-14 or above.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is work that primarily consists of developing, implementing or managing an organization/agency-wide insider threat program, plans and policies. Experience must also include leading or managing a team.
Certified counter insider threat professional (CCITP) preferred; if not certified, you must obtain certification within one year of assignment.
**If you have experience performing this type of work, it must be clearly described in your resume or it cannot be considered.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Specialized Experience) must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Applicants for promotion must have 52 weeks at (or equivalent to) GS-14.
Time in grade requirement for applicants with federal status must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
This position does not have an educational requirement.
Education cannot be used in lieu of (or in combination with) Specialized Experience to meet Minimum Qualifications.
Additional information
WHO MAY APPLY:
(1) ICTAP/CTAP (see Career Transition Guide)
(2) Current Competitive Service / permanent OR conditional tenure
(3) Former Competitive Service -- resigned or retired with
(a) permanent tenure (separation at any time)
(b) conditional tenure (separation within previous 3 years) OR
(c) conditional tenure AND vet preference (separation at any time)
(4) Current Excepted Service:
(a) agency with competitive service compatibility (Foreign Service, US Postal Service, etc.)
(b) agency with Interchange Agreement
(c) Schedule A* -- block 5 of APPOINTMENT action shows Reg 213.3102(u) - must be in a competitive service agency, agency with competitive service compatibility or an agency with an Interchange Agreement
(d) not described above but can demonstrate prior Competitive Service OR vet status
(5) Former Excepted Service - must have prior Competitive Service (permanent or conditional tenure) OR vet status
(6) Military Spouses -- see USAJOBS Help Center | Military Spouses
(7) VEOA -- see USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans -- if you have non-qualifying Excepted Service and are an eligible veteran, you may use VEOA as your eligibility but still must provide documents demonstrating your Excepted Service status (e.g., current SF-50 / performance appraisal or separation SF-50).
VEOA cannot be used to circumvent merit promotion requirements. VEOA applicants with federal status will be considered on federal status first and VEOA only if federal status cannot be used. Eligibilities must be fully documented to receive consideration.
If you are a federal contractor, do not identify yourself as a federal employee.
OTHER NOTES:
Certified counter insider threat professional (CCITP) preferred; if not certified, you must obtain certification within one year of assignment.
See QUALIFICATIONS for information on qualifying for this position.
See HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for information on applying for this position.
This position is on a full-time, flex-time schedule and may be eligible for an Alternate Work Schedule (AWS); telework may be approved after all conditions for telework have been met.
This position is not authorized to be filled virtually or through outstationing. The Official Duty Station (ODS) for this position is Woodlawn, Maryland. To participate in telework, you must reside within a 2-hour commute to this ODS by the time of your appointment.
Relocation expenses will not be paid; salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions.
Successful performance of work in this position and adherence to conditions of this position will be assessed during the 1-year probationary period served that may be served by new appointees (e.g., new to SSA and/or new to this series).
Selected employee is subject to the completion of a 1-year probationary period for a supervisory position unless the employee served in such a position before August 11, 1979, or has completed one.
This is a high-risk public trust position. You may be required to complete Standard Form 85P, Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions, to have the appropriate investigation conducted.
Position is assigned to:
SSA Headquarters / Woodlawn, Maryland
Security and Resiliency
Insider Threat and Resiliency
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
(1) Eligibility will be based on your claim under the ELIGIBILITY Section at the beginning of the online questionnaire, in addition to your responses to Assessment Question #1 (Federal Status) and Question #2 (Federal Performance Appraisal). Be sure you claim the correct Eligibility.
Only applicants who meet eligibility requirements will be evaluated.
(2) If rated 'eligible' you will receive a score based on your responses to the online experience questions.
Preview questions here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13022697
(3) If you are among the highest-ranking applicants based on your score, your resume will be reviewed by HR to determine if you demonstrate the Specialized Experience required for this position.
RESUME: Describe duties you perform that meet the Specialized Experience required for this position (see QUALIFICATIONS), as well as duties that demonstrate the following as they relate to the Specialized Experience. Duties not clearly described cannot be credited.
-- Knowledge of risk management principles (possible 30 points)
-- Skill in applying project and program management principles (possible 30 points)
-- Ability to effectively distribute workloads (possible 30 points)
-- Skill in communicating both orally and in writing (possible 30 points)
Total Possible Points = 120
**It is not sufficient to make claims in the questionnaire that are not supported in your resume**
Information not specifically stated in your resume cannot be assumed. Information copied or restated from the announcement or rating criteria will not be considered. If this occurs, you may be found ineligible.
(4) The highest-ranked applicants who demonstrate the required Specialized Experience (and/or Optional Education) will be referred to the hiring manager following Priority Selection procedures and applicable documents will be forwarded for further review. (See Priority Selection below)
Your claimed knowledge, skills and abilities are subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation or to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed experience.
PRIORITY SELECTION:
Well-Qualified ICTAP/CTAP eligibles will receive the first consideration ONLY IF appropriate supporting documents are provided (see Career Transition Guide AND Required Documents).
Eligible veterans may apply under this Merit Promotion announcement, but preference points are not applied and veterans do not receive priority consideration.
See Required Documents for information on how to support these claims.
Required Documents
Resume -- all applicants
SF-50 - all current and former federal employees -- read requirements below
Federal Performance Appraisal - all current and former federal employees (see below)
ICTAP documents -- if claimed
Vet documents -- applicants without competitive status claiming VEOA-eligibility
Military Spouse documents -- if claimed
If your federal pay scale is not GS or FWS, provide a copy of your agency's pay scale for pay equivalency determination and/or pay-setting upon a job offer.
DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY UPLOADED TO YOUR USAJOBS ACCOUNT MAY BE OUTDATED AND CAN CASUE YOU TO LOSE CONSIDERATION.
RESUMES are limited to 2 pages and must include:
-- your name and contact information
-- employer name, full-time or part-time hours worked per week
-- full start and stop dates (month/day/year) for each position
-- your grade and pay scale (for all federal positions) and
-- a clear description of the duties performed that relate to the experience required for this position.
If you no longer hold a position, it must show an ending date.
Since Specialized Experience has a time component, it must be evident that the duties you describe are at the required level for at least 52 weeks.
Do not simply list projects on which you worked or list experience in terms of accomplishments or achievements. You must describe duties you perform that pertain to the requirements for this position.
Information copied or restated from the vacancy announcement, rating criteria or KSAs will not be considered. If this occurs, you may be found ineligible.
See QUALIFICATIONS for information on what your resume must demonstrate.
SF-50 -- required for all current and former federal employees (even if you claim VEOA or Military Spouse eligibility). SF-50s are used to verify grade, time-in-grade, tenure and appointment type. More than one SF-50 may be required to demonstrate all of the eligibility requirements. Be sure your SF-50(s) reflect what you state on your resume. Former federal employees must submit their separation SF-50 but may have to submit additional SF-50s to document the four required items. If your qualifying experience was gained in a prior position, submit an additional SF-50 to document the grade of the prior position. Follow instructions in questionnaire.
FEDERAL PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL-- required for current federal employees-- must be for a period that ended less than a year ago, must be completed and signed and must indicate a rating of satisfactory or better. Do not submit a mid-year review or other "Performance Discussion". Follow instructions in questionnaire. DO NOT submit a WIGI or award action in lieu of a rated performance appraisal.
If your federal agency does not provide formal performance appraisals, submit an equivalent document with an explanation for why you are not providing a standard federal performance appraisal. Follow instructions in questionnaire. HR will determine if your document is acceptable for application purposes.
FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES -- your separation SF-50 must show that your separation was for other than performance or conduct. This is the only document that can be submitted 'in lieu' of a Performance Appraisal.
ICTAP/CTAP -- Submit separation notice AND final SF-50 documenting official separation date. If your separation notice doesn't include performance appraisal information, submit a copy of your final performance appraisal. (See http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp)
VETERANS: submit DD-214 / Member 4 copy showing 3+ years of continuous active duty and honorable discharge. Veterans with federal status must also submit the required SF-50s and Performance Appraisal. Do not use VEOA status to circumvent requirements for applicants with federal status.
For 10-point preference, also submit SF-15 and documents specified on the reverse.
Current active-duty military claiming preference under Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act -- submit certification that you will be discharged under honorable conditions within 120 days of the certification date. Your letter must be signed by or under direction of the appropriate personnel office, unit commander or higher headquarters. Certifications must be on official letterhead from appropriate military branch and must include dates of service, expected discharge date. type of discharge, character of service, rank, and date when terminal leave begins. Since service after Aug 31, 2010 is generally not qualifying for preference, include any qualifying campaign or expeditionary medals you received.
MILITARY SPOUSES -- see USAJOBS Help Center | Military Spouses -- submit marriage certificate and proof that your spouse is still an active-duty member of the military or is 100% disabled and unemployable. If you have federal status you must also submit relevant SF-50(s) and performance appraisal. Do not use Military Spouse status to circumvent requirements for applicants with federal status.
How to Apply
(1) Click APPLY to create a USAJobs Account or log into your existing account.
(2) Confirm that your USAJobs Biographic Information is correct.
(3) Confirm that your application documents show all information required for this vacancy.
(4) Follow prompts to complete the questionnaire and upload your application documents.
(5) Click Submit My Answers at the end of the process.
(6) "View/Print My Answers" to confirm you have answered every question as intended AND
(7) print a copy of the announcement for your reference if you are called for an interview (optional)
READ "NEXT STEPS" FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
Applications must be received by 11:59 pm (EST) August 7, 2026 and must include:
(1) responses to online questionnaire
(2) uploaded resume
(3) uploaded eligibility documents (SF-50s, Performance Appraisal, DD-214, VA Letter, RIF Letter, marriage certificate, spouse's military orders, etc)
See QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIRED DOCUMENTS and HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED before you submit your application.
The questionnaire takes about 15 minutes. Answer all questions and follow instructions. Your score will be based on your responses. Errors or omissions may affect your overall evaluation.
We cannot accept documents submitted via email, fax or standard mail, but you may email inquiries about the position or How to Apply PRIOR TO the closing of the announcement.
Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities may use the listed email or 7-1-1 for TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services to call the listed phone number. Additional Telecommunications Relay Services options are available in each state: https://www.fcc.gov/general/trs-state-and-territories
Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious or Fraudulent Statements -- Anything you claim in the occupational questionnaire or your resume is subject to verification. By submitting your application, you are certifying that any statements you make are true, complete and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or representations are subject to disciplinary action.
If you experience difficulties while applying, use the links on the USAJobs website to seek help. If you're still unable to complete your application, submit a USAJobs Help Desk ticket to resolve the issue. You must also email Careers@ssa.gov with the SUBJECT LINE: "T-7 APPLICATION ISSUE 1302 2697" and provide details of the difficulties you're experiencing (with screenshots if applicable). This email must be received before the announcement closes. Technical difficulties reported after the announcement closes cannot be addressed.
Next steps
Incorrect information in your USAJobs Account means you may not receive important emails pertaining to this announcement. SSA/HR is not responsible if outdated information in your USAJobs Account causes you to miss emailed notifications or job offers.
No matter what information is provided on your resume, HR and USAStaffing can only contact you using the information in your USAJobs Account. Your Biographic Information for this vacancy cannot be changed once your application has been submitted.
If you applied correctly and provided a valid email address in your Biographic Information, you will receive an Acknowledgement of Occupational Questionnaire. This is not an indication that your application is complete. Follow the instructions in the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" sections to ensure that you submit a complete application.
You are responsible for verifying that your application is complete, and your documents have been properly submitted.
After applications are evaluated, a Best Qualified List will be issued and you will be notified of your status (e.g., highly qualified and referred to the selecting official; qualified but not referred; or ineligible).
INTERVIEWS may or may not be conducted, but if an interview is desired, it will be scheduled by the hiring office and a representative from that office will contact you directly.
HR will not have information pertaining to the scheduling of interviews and cannot provide feedback pertaining to completed interviews.
For the status of your application, go to your USAJobs account. Select Application Status then, More Information to see if updates are available.
Updates will not be available during the interview/selection process, which may take up to 90 days.
After selections have been completed, final notices will be sent to applicants who were referred to the selecting official. Applicants who are not referred will not receive a final notice.