Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!

ASCENSION is seeking an experienced Technical Specialist III with Embedded Site Lead Function to serve as the Unit Security Specialist and onsite contractor lead supporting the U.S. Air Force’s 20th Attack Squadron at Whiteman AFB, Missouri.

This position is designed for a seasoned Department of Defense security professional who understands that effective security administration in an operational flying squadron extends well beyond processing clearances or maintaining access lists. The selected professional will help maintain the personnel, physical, information, industrial, and SCI security infrastructure necessary for Airmen to perform a classified operational mission safely and without avoidable interruption.

The ideal candidate brings substantial experience operating in a military or Department of Defense security environment and can independently manage competing security requirements, anticipate compliance risks, maintain highly accurate records, coordinate with multiple security organizations, and quickly resolve issues before they affect mission operations.

Just as important, this individual will serve as ASCENSION’s onsite Site Lead and primary day-to-day contractor interface with the 20 ATKS and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The successful candidate should therefore combine deep security expertise with mature judgment, professional communication, organization, leadership, customer-service orientation, and the ability to manage sensitive issues appropriately.

This position is especially well suited for a former or current security professional with experience as a Unit Security Manager, Special Security Representative, Assistant Special Security Representative, SCIF Security Manager, Security Specialist, Personnel Security Specialist, Physical Security Specialist, or similar DoD/Intelligence Community security role.

Contractor Role Summary

The Technical Specialist III / Unit Security Specialist / Site Lead will provide analytical, advisory, technical, functional, and administrative support for the 20 ATKS collateral and Sensitive Compartmented Information security programs.

The employee will assist the Government’s primary and alternate Special Security Representatives and SCIF security representatives with day-to-day operation of the squadron’s security programs. Responsibilities span SCIF access management, badge and access authorization administration, security incident reporting, personnel security actions, security training, physical security, SCI material accountability, inspections, alarm testing, security documentation, facility accreditation, and required monthly and annual reporting.

The position also carries an embedded leadership responsibility. As ASCENSION’s Site Lead, the employee will coordinate contractor activities with the 20 ATKS and COR, communicate status and emerging risks, help manage assigned timelines and deliverables, escalate issues requiring corporate or Government attention, and help ensure that ASCENSION’s work remains timely, complete, accurate, professional, and responsive to mission requirements. The PWS specifically calls for effective integration and coordination, timely issue identification, corrective action, clear organizational responsibility, and customer satisfaction.

Because the Air Force expects contractor personnel to begin fully trained and perform a majority of the required work with minimal support from squadron personnel, this is not an entry-level security position.

Position’s Day-to-Day Activities

The selected individual will:

• Serve as ASCENSION’s onsite Site Lead and primary contractor point of coordination with designated 20 ATKS representatives and the COR.
• Coordinate assigned contractor security-support activities, schedules, priorities, status updates, deliverables, and issue resolution.
• Monitor performance, workload, deadlines, and emerging security issues and elevate risks requiring Government or ASCENSION management attention.
• Support the operational execution of collateral and SCI security programs across personnel, physical, information, and industrial security disciplines.
• Maintain unit badge rosters, SCIF access rosters, Alarmed Facility Access Authorization records, memoranda, and supporting access documentation.
• Verify visitor clearances and access eligibility before permitting access to controlled or classified spaces.
• Assist with SCI-related security incident reporting, inquiries, investigations, documentation, and required notifications.
• Process or support Personnel Security Incident Reports and For Cause discharge documentation involving SCI-cleared personnel.
• Maintain SCIF Standard Operating Procedures and Emergency Action Procedures so documentation remains current with applicable requirements.
• Coordinate with Whiteman AFB security offices, ACC/SSO, DIA, 509th Security Forces Squadron, and other authorized organizations on security matters within the scope of the position.
• Support SCIF reaccreditation activities and associated documentation for the unit SCIF and applicable subordinate SCIFs.
• Inspect physical security conditions of accredited SCIF spaces and identify deficiencies requiring repair or corrective action.
• Maintain Fixed Facility Checklists and TEMPEST addendum checklists supporting accredited facilities.
• Review proposed SCIF modifications and support coordination necessary to maintain compliance with applicable DIA and ACC/SSO requirements.
• Draft co-utilization agreements when Special Access Program access or facility-sharing arrangements require documentation.
• Manage accountability, maintenance, safeguarding, and authorized disposal of SCI materials in accordance with applicable security guidance.
• Prepare the unit for internal and external security inspections and assist in responding to findings or discrepancies.
• Conduct or coordinate monthly random inspections and maintain required inspection records.
• Coordinate quarterly alarm testing, maintain alarm-test logs, and provide required notifications.
• Support the unit alarm-monitoring program and applicable subordinate SCIF requirements.
• Develop monthly security-program status information, including security violations and investigation status, for the commander or designee.
• Prepare the required monthly program status report, SCIF access roster, and security-violation compilation for delivery by the first duty day of each month.
• Support required annual reporting to ACC/SSO.
• Assist with training of unit Special Security Representatives and other personnel performing assigned security functions.
• Complete required online security training within Government-established deadlines.
• Attend Government-funded in-residence training addressing ICD 704/SEAD personnel security and ICD 705 physical security, as directed.
• Maintain complete, current, and audit-ready Government records and security documentation.
• Provide verbal or written status information to the COR for weekly 20 ATKS command staff reporting.
• Identify security, schedule, quality, staffing, or customer-service concerns early and recommend practical corrective actions.
• Ensure contractor work products are accurate, complete, timely, professionally presented, and compliant with applicable procedures.
• Protect Government-furnished equipment, information, records, and classified material in accordance with applicable safeguarding requirements.