Senior Science Technology Protection Specialist

Science & Technology Protection Specialist, Senior

The Science & Technology Protection Specialist, Senior provides advanced personnel security, special security, and science and technology (S&T) protection support to Department of Defense (DoD) research, development, test, and evaluation organizations. This position will serve as a senior security professional responsible for protecting critical technologies, classified information, personnel, programs, facilities, and research activities supporting national security objectives. This position advises Government leadership on personnel security matters, security risk management, security compliance, Special Access Program (SAP) protections, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) administration, and technology protection initiatives.

The Specialist collaborates with program managers, scientists, engineers, Special Security Officers (SSOs), security managers, and intelligence professionals to ensure compliance with DoD, Intelligence Community (IC), Air Force, and agency-specific security requirements.

Administer personnel security programs for classified and sensitive DoD research, development, acquisition, and technology protection efforts, including processing clearance documentation, investigations, reinvestigations, access determinations, eligibility reviews, and personnel security files.

Manage TS/SCI access requirements, including access rosters, indoctrinations, debriefings, visit certifications, nominations, authorizations, and coordination with adjudication facilities, investigative agencies, security offices, Special Security Officers, and program stakeholders.

Support development and implementation of Program Protection Plans, Security Classification Guides, Technology Protection Plans, DD Form 254 requirements, security risk assessments, and related acquisition security documentation.

Identify critical program information, assess personnel security and technology protection risks, and recommend protective measures to mitigate vulnerabilities affecting classified research, sensitive technologies, and developmental programs.

Support SCI, SAP, and secure facility compliance activities, including inspections, vulnerability reviews, classified information accountability, marking and handling reviews, corrective action plans, and incident analysis.

Interpret and apply applicable federal, DoD, Intelligence Community, Air Force, and agency-specific security regulations, directives, and policies.

Participate in security reviews, System Security Working Groups, integrated product teams, continuity of operations planning, and emergency preparedness activities related to classified operations.

Advise government officials, program managers, researchers, security personnel, and leadership teams on personnel security, SCI/SAP protection, S&T protection, compliance requirements, and risk mitigation strategies.

Develop executive-level briefings, reports, status updates, security metrics, and clearance/access tracking products for government and program leadership.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Master's degree

Minimum twelve (12) years' relevant experience OR

Bachelor's degree

Minimum fifteen (15) years' relevant experience OR

Minimum twenty (20) years' professional experience in lieu of a degree.

Minimum five (5) years' experience supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, or Federal personnel security programs to include:

• Experience administering TS/SCI clearance programs.
• Experience processing personnel security investigations and access determinations.
• Experience supporting classified research, development, acquisition, or technology programs.
• Experience briefing senior government officials and program leadership

Successfully pass background and drug screening

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Protection Professional (CPP).
• Industrial Security Professional (ISP) Certification.
• Security Fundamentals Professional Certification (SFPC).
• Security Asset Protection Professional Certification.
• Experience supporting AFRL, AFMC, Air Force acquisition organizations, or defense research laboratories.
• Experience supporting Program Protection Planning and Technology Protection initiatives.
• Experience supporting Special Access Program (SAP) environments.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Possess strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Knowledge of personnel security regulations, adjudicative guidelines, and security clearance processes.
• Knowledge of NISPOM, ICDs, Executive Orders, and DoD security regulations.
• Experience using DISS, Scattered Castles, and other personnel security systems.
• Knowledge of SCI administration, special access requirements, and classified information controls.
• Possess strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain discretion while handling highly sensitive and classified information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, SharePoint, and…