Supervisory Personnel Security Specialist (Associate Director)

This position provides leadership and strategic direction for the Office of Security's Department-wide personnel security programs, ensuring the protection of DOT personnel, information, and operations through effective security policies, adjudication, credentialing, risk management, and compliance activities. This position advises senior officials and coordinates with Federal partners to advance national security and mission-critical security objectives.

As a Supervisory Personnel Security Specialist (Associate Director), you will: Directs and manages a department-wide personnel security program, providing executive-level leadership, policy direction, and oversight for suitability, credentialing, security clearance adjudication, contractor fitness, and classified access programs. Develops, interprets, and implements personnel security policies, standards, and procedures to ensure compliance with Executive Orders, OPM regulations, Security Executive Agent Directives, HSPD-12 requirements, and Departmental security policies. Serves as the department's senior technical authority on complex and sensitive personnel security matters, providing expert advice and recommendations to senior officials on security risks, adjudicative decisions, and matters with national security implications. Leads the adjudication and oversight of personnel security, credentialing, and vetting programs; evaluates complex background investigation information; ensures consistent application of security standards; and manages compliance, quality assurance, and risk mitigation activities. Provides strategic direction and supervision for personnel security staff and represents DOT in interagency forums with Federal security partners, including the development of government-wide security policies, standards, and practices. THE IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT: OST is seeking a highly skilled, mission-focused security professional with expertise in personnel security, adjudication, policy development, and risk management. The ideal candidate is a strategic leader who can apply sound judgment on complex security matters, develop and implement security programs, collaborate with stakeholders across the department and Federal government, and ensure compliance with national security requirements.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. SUPERVISORY PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed). PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. DRUG TEST: This position has been determined to be a critical safety/security position as defined in the Department of Transportation (DOT) Order, DOT 3910.ID entitled "Drug and Alcohol-Free Departmental Workplace." Therefore, is selected for this position you will be required to submit to a pre-employment / pre-appointment drug test. you will also be subject to Random Drug Testing.