Physical Security Specialist

Summary

The incumbent of this position serves as a Physical Security Specialist for the Justice Protective Service, which is responsible for developing, implementing, maintaining department wide policy and security programs, as well as for executing the functions and exercising the authority of the Attorney General and Department Security Officer administering the security regulations prescribed by laws and Executive Orders.

Duties

Help

The duties and responsibilities for a Physical Security Specialist, GS-0080-11/12/13 generally include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Developing, implementing, maintaining department wide policy and security programs.
• Maintaining and operating the Department's automated access control system, closed circuit television and intrusion detection systems.
• Provides recommendations to enhance security systems through modification application.
• Evaluates and makes recommendations concerning overall plans and proposals.
• Coordinates actions with other local and Federal law enforcement agencies.
• Identifies and advises management of physical security problems.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
• You may be required to complete a probationary or trial period. See "Additional Information" for specific details.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
• A USA Hire assessment is required. An email will be sent with additional information after you submit your application. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment.
• Must obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Physical Security Specialist, at GS-0080-11/12/13, you must meet the basic qualification requirements listed below.

GS-11

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level or equivalent band in the Federal service, which includes: Responding to emergencies, such as unauthorized access, theft, and natural disasters and documenting incidents; and utilizes security software, such as closed circuit television, automated access control systems.

OR

Education: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M, if relate.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and specialized experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. You must have some specialized experience as described above in number 1 but less than one year; and have more than two years, but less than three years of education as described in number 2. To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond the second year by 36. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.

GS-12

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or equivalent band in the Federal service, which includes: Demonstrates implementing security strategies (deter, detect, delay, deny, defend), managing access control to buildings and property; and maintaining surveillance systems.

GS-13

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or equivalent band in the Federal service, which includes: Demonstrates preparing physical security survey or inspection reports; modifies or applies evolving technology to enhance security systems; AND notifying senior leadership of deficiencies found during physical security surveys or inspections.

Preferred Experience: Completion of a civilian or military police academy certificate and at least one-year experience as a certified law enforcement officer.

You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by 11/02/2026 of this announcement.

Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.

After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement 11/02/2026 to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.

Education

Use this placeholder if education cannot be used or counted at all:

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below.

Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Transcripts must be uploaded with your application to verify education. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

If you are using education to qualify for this position, or education is required:

1. You must submit a transcript, which may be unofficial, as long as it contains a full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award.
2. Your transcript must come from a nationally accredited educational institution recognized by the Department of Education.
3. Please do not submit electronic transcripts with documentation security protection. These may prevent our application system from accepting and processing the document.
4. If submitting a foreign transcript, you must have the transcript reviewed by an approved foreign education review organization recognized by the Department of Education. Your transcript must also be in English or have an English translation included.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made from this announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Probationary or Trial Period (as applicable): As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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:

1) your performance and conduct;

2) the needs and interests of the agency;

3) whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and

4) whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Benefits

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.