Facility Security Officer (Staff Security Officer)

Job Summary

Reporting to the Operational Security Lead, the Facility Security Officer (FSO) is responsible for functioning as an Industrial Security Subject Matter Expert (SME) and act as a federally-designated Facility Security Officer (FSO). As a member of the broader WHOI Institutional Security team, the role will be responsible for developing and overseeing WHOI’s classified industrial security program, in a collaborative and persuasive context, to ensure that government programs follow relevant regulations, policies, and procedures.

Job Description

Essential Functions and Duties

Working with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) and under the provisions of the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM, 32 CFR 117)

• Creates, updates, and maintains procedures to fulfill requirements of the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) as set forth in the Industrial Security Manual for Safeguarding Classified Information (ISM). Implements operational, personnel, and physical security plans.
• Oversees and maintains personnel and facility clearances, continually working to right-size scope and level of cleared personnel and facilities to optimize research outcomes. Directs annual comprehensive security assessments.
• Manage and initiate personnel clearances and process visit access requests
• Develops and manages prime and subcontract DD-254's.
• Serves as a main participant in DCSA Security Vulnerability Assessments and Continuous Monitoring engagements. Conduct periodic self-inspections in accordance with 32CFR117 and research security policies as required by DCSA.
• Investigates, reports to DCSA industrial security representative, and documents security infractions and violations.
• Superintends security education and training: Connects with researchers to maintain awareness of security-training needs; engages with federal security community to uphold expertise on new risks, trends and requirements; builds or procures trainings, briefings, and security educational opportunities. Arranges for required briefings to cleared personnel.
• Directs and handles administrative security operations, including thorough tracking of classified and security-related documents, to include proposal, project, facility, and contract related documents connected with prime and sub-contract forms (e.g., DD254, SF328, etc.), in coordination with grant and contracting office.
• Implements, refines, and helps develop security procedures: Oversight of badging and access control; handling of classified visit requests, classified courier needs, and data transmittal. Possesses working knowledge of federal requirements for foreign, U.S. government, and cleared visitor monitoring.
• Establishes, implements, and maintains cleared personnel processes, including onboarding/offboarding; adverse HR actions; internal investigations; travel and outside engagements.
• Coordinates with Global Research Security Officer to ensure Personnel Security and Facility Security during international engagements

Adhoc Functions & Duties:

• Supports occasional special conferences, visits, or community-relation events
• Provides briefings to senior administration when requested on security topics
• Coordinates occasional disposal of classified or sensitive material
• Supports safety and security drills

Additional Job Requirements

Required Education and Experience

• 3-5 years of experience

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree

• Familiarity with the below

  - NBIS (National Background Investigative Services; through the eAPP or Agency portals)

  - NISS (National Industrial Security System)

  - DISS (Defense Information System for Security)

  - eMASS (Enterprise Mission Assurance Support Service)

  - NCAISS (NISP Central Access Information Security System)

Work Authorization/Security Clearance  

• This job involves generating and handling Controlled Unclassified Information and requires a SECRET Security Clearance; all candidates that apply MUST:   - Be a US National or Lawful Permanent US Resident (applicants without this status will not be considered due to government contract requirements)  

- Qualify for, and obtain, a TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential)  
  - Be eligible for, an