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.