COMSEC Custodian / Facility Security Officer (FSO)
Location
1000 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20585 (On-site)
Employment Type
Full-time
Clearance
Active Top Secret (investigation current within the last 5 years)
Travel
Required — travel to CONUS sites in support of COMSEC equipment operations
Position Summary
This is a COMSEC Custodian–primary role with Facility Security Officer (FSO) and security-specialist responsibilities. The successful candidate serves as the organization's Primary COMSEC Custodian, with direct accountability for COMSEC material and keyed encryption equipment, while also performing FSO and personnel-security functions in an environment requiring strict adherence to government security regulations.
On the COMSEC side, the Custodian manages the full lifecycle of COMSEC material and equipment — receipt, transfer, storage, inventory, accounting, and destruction — including hands-on management of keyed network encryption devices (TACLANEs / inline network encryptors). The current priority mission is an active, multi-site reclamation of 50+ TACLANE devices from sites across the country, requiring rigorous accountability, reconciliation, and chain-of-custody documentation.
On the FSO / security-specialist side, the role functions as an onboarding and personnel-security lead: submitting Program Access Requests (PARs), processing access paperwork, delivering briefings and security training, and taking the lead on various access requests. All duties are performed in compliance with Department of Energy (DOE) directives, DoD Manuals, NISPOM (32 CFR Part 117), ICDs, and applicable COMSEC regulations within the DOE framework.
COMSEC Custodian Responsibilities (Primary)
- Serve as the appointed Primary COMSEC Custodian, maintaining sole accountability for the COMSEC account and all associated material and equipment.
- Lead the active reclamation of 50+ TACLANE encryptors from sites across the country — including recovery, inventory reconciliation, transfer, and chain-of-custody documentation across multiple locations.
- Manage keyed COMSEC equipment as accountable assets, including keying, rekeying, zeroizing, and inventory of TACLANEs and other inline network encryptors (INE / HAIPE devices).
- Ensure the secure receipt, transfer, and storage of COMSEC material, including classified keying material.
- Conduct regular COMSEC inventories, maintain accurate accounting records, and reconcile discrepancies in accordance with established procedures.
- Properly destroy COMSEC material per established procedures, documenting the destruction process (e.g., SF-153).
- Develop, implement, and maintain COMSEC policies and procedures in compliance with applicable COMSEC regulations and standards.
- Investigate and report COMSEC incidents, insecurities, and Practices Dangerous to Security (PDS), implementing corrective actions.
- Train personnel on COMSEC protocols and proper handling of COMSEC material and equipment.
FSO / Security-Specialist Responsibilities
- Submit and manage Program Access Requests (PARs) and lead various access requests for cleared personnel.
- Oversee personnel security, including processing access paperwork, conducting background checks, and maintaining clearance records.
- Deliver security briefings, indoctrinations, and ongoing security training, scheduling and tracking completion so all personnel remain current.
- Serve as a liaison with internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies, ensuring compliance with PERSEC and COMSEC requirements.
- Manage the receipt, storage, marking, declassification, and destruction of classified materials and sensitive information per applicable regulations.
- Support physical security measures, including access controls, surveillance systems, and visitor management.
- Conduct security audits and self-inspections; investigate and report security incidents and violations, implementing corrective actions.
- Coordinate and process security clearances for employees, contractors, consultants, visitors, and subcontractors, escorting personnel as required.
- Collaborate with government security agencies such as DOE and DCSA for security reviews and inspections.
- Maintain accurate security records and reporting, ensuring compliance with NISPOM, 32 CFR Part 117, DOE directives, and other applicable policies.
Non-Negotiable Requirements
1. Appointed COMSEC Custodian experience — demonstrated, hands-on experience serving as an appointed COMSEC Custodian or Alternate Custodian, managing a COMSEC account and its material.
2. Active Top Secret clearance with investigation current within the last 5 years.
3. On-site at the position location in Washington, DC; this is not a remote role.
4. Travel is required in support of multi-site COMSEC equipment operations.
Minimum Qualifications
- Active Top Secret clearance (investigation current within the last 5 years).
- Hands-on COMSEC Custodian experience, including receipt, transfer, storage, inventory, accounting, and destruction of COMSEC material and keying material.
- Direct experience with TACLANEs or other inline network encryptors (INE / HAIPE devices) — keying, inventory, and accountability of keyed encryption equipment.
- Proven expertise in security management and the ability to develop and execute security policies and plans.
- Strong understanding of government security regulations, including NISPOM (32 CFR Part 117), ICDs, and applicable COMSEC regulations.
- Proficient in MS Office and security management systems (e.g., DISS, e-QIP, NBIS).
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse teams and external agencies.
- Ability to work independently, make informed decisions, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience running a multi-site COMSEC equipment reclamation, recovery, or large-scale inventory reconciliation.
- Formal COMSEC Custodian training current within a recent timeframe.
- Experience within the DOE / NNSA framework, including DOE Orders and 10 CFR requirements.
- Experience managing industrial security programs and overseeing facility security compliance.
- Experience preparing security plans and audits and responding to government audits and inspections.
- Familiarity with the GEMS technical environment.
Education
Years of relevant experience — particularly hands-on COMSEC Custodian experience — are weighted more heavily than formal degrees.
Measures of Success (SLAs / KPIs / Metrics)
Success in this role is measured primarily by COMSEC accountability and the timely, fully-documented reclamation and management of COMSEC equipment, alongside broader security compliance. Key metrics include:
- COMSEC Accountability: Accurate, reconciled inventories with zero unaccounted-for material; timely completion of the TACLANE reclamation with complete chain-of-custody documentation.
- Compliance: Adherence to NISPOM, DOE directives, COMSEC regulations, and other applicable government standards.
- Incident Response: Timely, effective resolution and reporting of security and COMSEC incidents, including corrective actions.
- Security Audits: Successful completion of security reviews and inspections with minimal non-compliance findings.
- Clearance & Access Management: Efficient processing of PARs, clearances, and access requests for personnel and contractors.
- Training & Awareness: Effective security and COMSEC training with high participation and understanding.
- Documentation: Accurate, up-to-date records of COMSEC material, classified holdings, and security-related actions.
Applicant Notice
Reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR 707.4 will be conducted by the employer, and a background investigation by the Federal government may be required to obtain an access authorization prior to employment; subsequent reinvestigations may be required. If the position is covered by the Counterintelligence Evaluation Program regulations at 10 CFR Part 709, successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination, may be required.
Pay: $65.00 - $78.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Ever formally appointed COMSEC Custodian or Alternate?
- Do you have Hands-on TACLANE / INE / HAIPE experience (keying, zeroizing, inventory)?
- Have you ever led Multi-site COMSEC equipment reclamation / reconciliation?
- Do you have experience with COMSEC accounting systems and forms (DIAS, CoR, SF-153)?
- When did you last serve as Custodian; is your training current?
- Do you have FSO / personnel-security experience with PARs, clearances, briefings?
- Do you have experience with DISS, e-QIP and NBIS?
Experience:
- appointed COMSEC Custodian: 2 years (Required)
Security clearance:
- Top Secret (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Washington, DC 20585 (Required)
Work Location: In person