Torchora
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Facility Security Officer (FSO)

💰 $85,000 - $130,000

SecurityGovernment ContractingComplianceDefense

🎯 Role Definition

As our Facility Security Officer, you will be the cornerstone of our company's relationship with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). You are entrusted with administering our entire industrial security program, ensuring the integrity of classified information and the compliance of our facility and personnel. This position requires a proactive, meticulous, and trustworthy professional who can navigate complex government regulations, provide guidance to all levels of the organization, and foster a strong security-conscious culture. Your success in this role directly enables our ability to execute critical national security contracts.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Assistant Facility Security Officer (AFSO)
  • Industrial Security Specialist / Administrator
  • Personnel Security Specialist (PERSEC)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Facility Security Officer / Security Manager
  • Regional Director of Security
  • Corporate Director of Industrial Security

Lateral Moves:

  • Information System Security Manager (ISSM)
  • Contractor Program Security Officer (CPSO)
  • Counterintelligence or Insider Threat Program Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Serve as the primary point of contact with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) and other government agencies on all industrial security matters.
  • Administer the company's security program in full compliance with the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) and other applicable government directives.
  • Process, manage, and maintain personnel security clearances (PCLs) and periodic reinvestigations using the Defense Information System for Security (DISS) and e-QIP.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain the company's Standard Practice Procedures (SPP) and other security policies required for NISPOM compliance.
  • Conduct initial security briefings, indoctrinations, annual refresher training, debriefings, and specialized security education for all cleared personnel.
  • Manage and maintain all facility and personnel security documentation and records, ensuring they are prepared for DCSA security reviews and self-inspections at all times.
  • Oversee the proper receipt, control, marking, storage, transmission, and destruction of all classified materials and documents.
  • Investigate, document, and report security incidents, violations, and adverse information to DCSA in accordance with NISPOM requirements.
  • Manage the facility's visitor control program, including processing incoming and outgoing Visit Authorizations (VAs) through DISS.
  • Interpret and implement security requirements from contract-specific DD Form 254s, providing guidance to program managers and technical staff.
  • Maintain the company’s Facility Clearance (FCL) in DISS/NISS, processing and reporting all required changes, including Key Management Personnel (KMP).
  • Lead the company's Insider Threat Program, fulfilling all requirements for training, monitoring, and reporting as the designated Insider Threat Program Security Officer (ITPSO).
  • Conduct periodic self-inspections of the security program, identifying deficiencies, and implementing effective corrective action plans.
  • Manage all aspects of physical security for classified areas, including access control, alarm systems, and secure container management.
  • Prepare and submit foreign travel reports for cleared personnel and conduct comprehensive pre-travel and post-travel security briefings.
  • Stay current on all changes to industrial security policies and regulations, ensuring the company's program is updated accordingly.
  • Liaise with prime and subcontractor security counterparts to ensure seamless security support and compliance across projects.
  • Manage the Secure Web Fingerprint Transmission (SWFT) process for submitting electronic fingerprints.
  • Provide subject matter expertise and guidance on all security-related matters to employees, management, and leadership.
  • Coordinate with the Information System Security Manager (ISSM) to ensure the security of classified information systems and networks.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the development and execution of the company's overall security education, training, and awareness (SETA) program.
  • Collaborate with Human Resources and department managers on the onboarding and off-boarding processes for personnel requiring security clearances.
  • Assist in counterintelligence (CI) initiatives, including disseminating threat information and promoting awareness among cleared staff.
  • Participate in emergency preparedness and crisis management planning, providing a security and asset protection perspective.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • In-depth, expert-level knowledge of the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), 32 CFR Part 117.
  • High proficiency in using government security databases, including DISS, NISS, SWFT, and e-QIP.
  • Proven experience successfully managing DCSA Security Reviews and continuous monitoring assessments.
  • Strong understanding of processing and interpreting DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification.
  • Direct experience in processing personnel security clearances from initiation to granting eligibility.
  • Knowledge of requirements for developing and managing an Insider Threat Program.
  • Familiarity with physical security standards for constructing and accrediting classified work areas (SCIFs/Closed Areas).
  • Experience with security incident investigation, reporting, and mitigation procedures.
  • Working knowledge of other security disciplines, such as COMSEC, OPSEC, and Cybersecurity (RMF), is a plus.
  • FSO Program Management for Possessing Facilities certification is highly desirable.

Soft Skills

  • Impeccable integrity, ethics, and professionalism in handling sensitive and classified information.
  • Exceptional attention to detail and superior organizational and record-keeping skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to brief personnel at all levels, from new hires to executive leadership.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to interpret complex regulations and resolve security challenges.
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and make critical, time-sensitive decisions.
  • Proactive and self-motivated approach to ensuring continuous program compliance and improvement.
  • Strong interpersonal skills to build trust and rapport with employees, management, and government representatives.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
  • Completion of the FSO Program Management for Possessing Facilities curriculum through DCSA's Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE).

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree in a relevant field.
  • Additional security-related certifications (e.g., Industrial Security Professional (ISP), Certified Protection Professional (CPP)).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Security Management
  • Criminal Justice
  • Business Administration
  • Homeland Security

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-5+ years of direct experience serving as a Facility Security Officer (FSO) or Assistant FSO (AFSO) in a contractor facility that possesses classified material.

Required:

  • Must possess an active Top Secret security clearance.
  • Verifiable experience managing a NISPOM-compliant industrial security program.
  • Demonstrated success in leading a facility through a DCSA security review with a commendable rating.
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