Physical Security Specialist

Summary

The Office of the Inspector General is one of the best places to work in the Department of Justice and is one of the premier inspector general offices in federal government. We offer excellent work-life flexibilities. The Management and Planning Division (M&P) advises and supports the OIG in the following areas: administrative and fiscal policy, executive resources, training, finance, quality assurance, procurement, facilities, human resources, security, and records management.

Duties

As a Physical Security Physical Specialist at the GS-0080-09 you will be responsible for, but not limited to: Assisting with facility risk and vulnerability assessments, Facility Security Assessments (FSA), physical security inspections, key and lock control activities, and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) space projects. Carrying out tasks supporting new construction, renovations, repairs, facility alterations, and security system upgrades. Drafting exercise documentation and After-Action Reports and tracks identified corrective actions. Participating in security inspections and compliance activities and assists with documenting findings, maintaining records, and tracking corrective actions. As a Physical Security Physical Specialist at the GS-0080-11 you will be responsible for, but not limited to: Reviewing architectural and engineering drawings, security layouts, and project designs to determine appropriate placement of access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, locking hardware, and other protective countermeasures. Conducting compliance reviews, evaluates deficiencies, recommends corrective actions, maintains required accountability, and provides guidance to employees on established security requirements. Coordinates with OSP programs, internal organizations, Department components, and other stakeholders to ensure physical security requirements are appropriately integrated with personnel, information, document, and SCI security requirements. Identifying potential conflicts or gaps in established requirements and recommends changes to improve security, compliance, and operational effectiveness. As a Physical Security Physical Specialist at the GS-0080-12 you will be responsible for, but not limited to: Developing technical requirements, evaluates alternatives, reviews architectural and engineering designs, determines appropriate countermeasure placement, and recommends design changes necessary to meet security and operational requirements. Negotiating technical solutions when proposed designs, construction conditions, costs, or operational requirements conflict with security objectives. Identifies and implements opportunities to streamline project execution, standardize countermeasures, improve ESS implementation, and reduce unnecessary cost or duplication. Planning and conducing continuity exercises, evacuation and shelter-in-place drills, and readiness assessments. Evaluates security issues affecting facilities and operations and develops recommendations to integrate PHYSEC requirements with related security and operational programs. As a Physical Security Physical Specialist at the GS-0080-13 you will be responsible for, but not limited to: Serving as Assistant Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and independently works with the Contracting Officer (CO) to develop and execute assigned contract actions. Leading facility security assessments, vulnerability reviews, inspections, and corrective-action initiatives. Providing recommendations to the Senior Physical Security Specialist concerning program requirements, emerging issues, policy implementation, and improvements to agency security practices. Serving as a technical advisor to management on continuity, emergency preparedness, organizational resilience, and facility readiness requirements. Advising management on complex security issues, risk mitigation strategies, resource requirements, and alternative courses of action.

Qualifications and evaluation

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire and a review of your application by a panel of subject matter experts. You will be assessed on the following competencies : Attention to Detail Customer Service Physical Security Planning and Evaluating To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13048464If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for further employment consideration.

Education

If using education to qualify, at the GS-9 level, a masters or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree may be substituted. At the GS-11 level, a Ph.D. or equivalent, or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov. For foreign education, see: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

How to apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/08/2026 to receive consideration. Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you via email notification. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder. If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Click here for Computer System Requirements (https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_System_Requirements) Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can reuse the URL sent to you via email and also found in your USAJOBS account under the "Track my application" link for the corresponding application. To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account (https://usajobs.gov). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account at https://www.usajobs.gov. On the Home page, scroll down and locate your job application. Once the job has been located, click the "Track this application" link on the right under the application date. The page will refresh to display the Agency's Application Information page where you can scroll down and review any notifications the agency has sent you. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Required documents

Resume Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be removed from consideration for this announcement. The resume and required supporting documentation should provide the minimum qualifications and relevant experience for the announced position. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. SF-50 documentation (if applicable) Must document (most recent Promotion, Within Rate Increase, or Appointment/Conversion SF-50 or Notification of Personnel Action if you are applying as a current or former Federal Employee) that shows you have acquired competitive status, and the highest grade or promotion potential you held. CTAP/ICTAP documentation (if applicable) Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and (for scored examining) score 85 or better on established ranking criteria OR (for category rating criteria) rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp. The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and (for scored examining) score 85 or better on established ranking criteria OR (for category rating criteria) rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp. Veterans' Preference documentation (if applicable) If you are a veteran and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are a veteran and you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference click here. Schedule A documentation (if applicable) Schedule A: DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department. DOJ also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes.

Additional information

DOJ EEO Statement/Policy: http://www.justice.gov/jmd/eeos/08-eeo-policy.pdfAs the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): VEOA allows eligible veterans to apply and compete for positions announced under merit promotion procedures when the hiring agency is recruiting from outside its own workforce. To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service. If you are applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under the VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement. Selective Service: 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. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.