SECURITY SPECIALIST (GG-15)
Department of the Air Force Headquarters
Arlington, VA · $169k–$197k a year · Posted October 30, 2026
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Where Arlington, VA ranks
Where Arlington, VA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Best cities for education pay after cost of living$124k · of 8
- #2Best all-round cities for AI careers in the Southeast89 / 100 · of 33
- #3Best cities for government pay after cost of living$140k · of 18
- #3Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the Mid-Atlantic456 openings · of 68
- #4Best cities for aerospace and defense pay after cost of living$152k · of 19
- #4Best cities for AI-skill jobs in the Southeast14% · of 87
Rankings about security jobs
- Best cities for security jobs #1 San Francisco (316 openings)
- Best cities for security pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($241k)
- Most requested AI skills in security jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (10.8%)
- Employers with the most security jobs #1 Amazon (318 roles)
Pay compared with the market
This listing pays about $183,240 a year. Across 41 open security specialist listings that state pay, the middle half runs $80,500 to $118,000 and the median is $103,000. That is 78% above the median, above the middle half of those listings.
Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.
How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among security guards is little observed so far. Measured exposure for security guards: 0% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
Skills this job asks for
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About the job
Summary
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the Senior Program Security Officer (PSO) ensuring the Special Access Programs (SAP) under a SAP umbrella supporting multiple Portfolio Acquisition Executives (PAE)/Program Executive Officers (PEO) is in full compliance with Special Access Program Policy, country specific Access Management Control Plan (AMCP),and Security Classification Guidance (SCGs).
Duties
DUTY 1: Serves as a Senior Program Security Officer supporting a major SAP umbrella with multiple Portfolio Acquisition Executives (PAE)/Program Executive Officers (PEO). DUTY 2: Directs the Administration of the Information Systems Security Program to ensure secure accomplishment of the enterprise's missions, goals and objectives through proactive application of security principles, policies, and practices. DUTY 3: Directs the Personnel Security Program. Provides policy interpretation and guidance for the Personnel Security Program for the Program Security Officers, government agencies, and all entities involved in the SAP. DUTY 4: Directs the Physical Security Program. Ensures appropriate documentation and accreditors of Special Access Program Facilities (SAPF) are performed across the PAEs/PEOs. DUTY 5: Provides policy oversight and interpretation to Program Security Officers (PSO), staff agency security managers, Contractor Program Security Officers (CPSO), and Contract Security Support (CSS) in implementing security education and motivation programs.
Qualifications
This is a GG-15 position in the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). The GG-15 duties for the "Professional" work category are at the "Senior" work level and are equivalent to those at the GS-15 level. The selectee's salary will be set within the 15-grade equivalent to a GS/GG grade based on the selectee's qualifications in relation to the job. In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions. EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must reflect the quality level of experience which demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance required for this position. Examples of creditable experience include: Applying experimental theories and new developments to problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods or makes decisions or recommendations significantly changing, interpreting, or developing important policies and programs. Extensive knowledge of SAP information, industrial, and personnel security policies, concepts, principles and practices to plan and implement security programs in these areas as well as USAF research and technology protection procedures. Comprehensive knowledge of DoD, Air Force, and Intelligence Community program management policies and objectives. Advanced knowledge of required security training concepts, programs, procedures, and practices to assist managers in establishing and operating internal security programs. Demonstrate expertise in developing, analyzing, and evaluating security programs to meet classified mission requirements. Note: Creditable experience may include previous military experience, experience gained in the private sector, or experience gained in another government agency. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Extensive knowledge of SAP information, industrial, and personnel security policies, concepts, principles and practices to plan and implement security programs in these areas as well as USAF research and technology protection procedures. 2. Comprehensive knowledge of DoD, Air Force, and Intelligence Community program management policies and objectives. 3. Advanced knowledge of required security training concepts, programs, procedures, and practices to assist managers in establishing and operating internal security programs. 4. Demonstrate expertise in developing, analyzing, and evaluating security programs to meet classified mission requirements. 5. Skill in performing full range of personnel management responsibilities to include technical oversight and coordination of all security training; and other functions as directed; and independently accomplish difficult and complex advisory functions which are characterized by a great depth, breadth, and variety of program applications. 6. Proven ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers, subordinates, high- ranking officials and customers. Contributing to a cooperative working environment and a successful accomplishment of the mission. Demonstrate ability to communicate to high-ranking officials orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and accurately. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT CONTINUED: 1. Special Sensitive: Position is designated special-sensitive and requires eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. A non-disclosure agreement must be signed. 2. Drug Testing: This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive position presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety. 3. The work requires the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate, valid driver's license is required for the position. 4. Department of Defense Security Fundamentals Professional Certification (SFPC) conferral is required within 2 years of the established employee EOD or initial assignment date to this position in accordance with DOD 3305.13-M, DoD Security Accreditation and Certification and AFI 36-2645, Security Professional Certification and Development. The listed certification requirements may not be deleted or modified without the written approval of the AF Security Functional Authority (SAF/AA) or their delegated security career field representative. 5. Key Position: This position is designated as a key position IAW AFI 36-507. Duties of this position are essential to the accomplishment of wartime/contingency operations. Incumbents of key positions must be removed from their military recall status if alternative for filling of the position during an emergency are not available. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., 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 that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This position is a Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel Systems (DCIPS) position implemented under Section 504, Title V of Public Law 99-569, Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987, as codified in Sec 1601, Chap 83 of Title 10 United States Code which sets forth Air Force policies and procedures for DCIPS. This position is in the Excepted Service. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package. For additional information on DCIPS, click here
How you will be evaluated
Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.
How to apply
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/12/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13104852 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. 4. Return Rights: Per AFI 36-1101 - DCIPS employees have no statutory right of return to the previous position, unit, or geographic location. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.
Other information
Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here. Selectees who physically reside permanently in the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during the entire recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) and selected for employment in the foreign area are eligible to receive certain foreign area benefits such as: Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) or government quarters, Post Allowance, Home Leave, etc. (subject to approval) Selectees who physically reside outside the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during any step of the recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) will have foreign area benefits eligibility be determined on a case by case basis.