Job DescriptionThe Senior Project Support Specialist provides high-level project, program, and operational support for SMD's Mission Cybersecurity Team by coordinating system security activities, supporting Authorization to Operate (ATO) processes, maintaining cybersecurity documentation, facilitating stakeholder communications, and improving data management across SMD.
Working closely with Systems Security Management leadership, Information System Security Officers (ISSOs), project managers, and cross-functional stakeholders, the successful candidate will coordinate cybersecurity project activities, support technical documentation, facilitate meetings and reporting, manage workflows, and contribute to continuous process improvements that strengthen NASA's system security posture.
ResponsibilitiesSystems Security Program Support- Provide project and administrative support to the Science Mission Directorate Systems Security Management Team.
- Coordinate activities supporting the Mission Directorate IT & Cybersecurity (MD-ITC) Working Group and related governance meetings.
- Schedule meetings, prepare agendas, capture meeting minutes, track action items, and support follow-up activities.
- Coordinate annual Authorization to Operate (ATO) assessment activities with stakeholders and assessment teams.
- Schedule and facilitate recurring meetings supporting System Security Plan (SSP) owners across SMD.
- Track SSP status and assist leadership with monitoring compliance activities, Plans of Action & Milestones (POA&Ms), and Risk-Based Decisions.
- Disseminate and collect information in response to Agency data calls and cybersecurity requests from organizations including OCIO, CISA, DHS, OCE, and MRPP.
Project Coordination- Coordinate cybersecurity project schedules, milestones, deliverables, and reporting activities.
- Support ISSOs with new and existing System Security Plans (SSPs) using NASA cybersecurity management tools.
- Maintain project documentation and ensure timely completion of recurring activities.
- Develop and maintain tracking tools, dashboards, and project status reports.
- Coordinate workflow activities supporting ATO and Project Protection Plan (PPP) signature packages.
Technical Writing & Documentation- Assist with the development, formatting, and maintenance of technical publications, program documentation, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Local Operating Procedures (LOPs), Service Level Agreements (SLAs), templates, and process guides.
- Create standardized templates and reference materials supporting SSP owners across multiple NASA Centers.
- Maintain documentation supporting cybersecurity governance and compliance activities.
Data Management & Process Improvement- Maintain the SMD Mission Cybersecurity SharePoint site and associated dashboards.
- Develop customized reports using NASA-provided tools to support continuous monitoring and leadership decision-making.
- Identify opportunities to improve workflows, reporting, documentation, and organizational efficiencies.
- Support modernization initiatives by implementing standardized processes and knowledge management practices.
Requirements- Demonstrated experience supporting complex project, program, or technical organizations.
- Strong project coordination, organizational planning, and administrative management skills.
- Experience coordinating meetings, documenting action items, and managing competing priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience developing technical documentation, reports, procedures, or executive-level correspondence.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating across multiple organizations.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and OneNote.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience supporting cybersecurity, information assurance, systems engineering, or technical program management organizations.
- Familiarity with Authorization to Operate (ATO) processes, System Security Plans (SSPs), Risk Management Framework (RMF), or related cybersecurity governance activities.
- Experience supporting Federal agencies or NASA programs.
- Knowledge of NASA administrative systems and workflows, including SharePoint, PAM, RISCS, or similar enterprise applications.
- Experience developing dashboards, tracking metrics, and process documentation.
- Ability to coordinate cross-functional initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
Education & Experience- Bachelor's degree plus seven (7) years of related professional experience; or
- Eleven (11) years of related professional experience in lieu of a degree.
Location- Hybrid - 1-2 days on-site, as needed
- NASA Headquarters - 300 E Street SW, Washington, DC and/or NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD).
We invest in the lives of our employees, both in and out of the workplace, by providing competitive pay and benefits packages. Benefits offered may include health care, dental, vision, life insurance; 401(k); education assistance; paid time off including PTO, holidays, and any other paid leave required by law. The salary offered will depend on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, geographic location, internal equity, business needs, and other factors permitted by law. Posted pay ranges are a general guideline only and are not a guarantee of compensation or salary.
