Security Specialist (Direct Hire)
Job Description
Summary
As a Special Agent for Kennedy Space Center's Office of Protective Services, you will conduct physical security assessments for the NASA Critical Infrastructure Protection Program, as well as conduct criminal and administrative investigations involving NASA personnel, property, and assets. You will be responsible for collaborating with other law enforcement organizations, legal counsel, and center management.
Duties
- Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
- Directs, plans, and controls physical security measures to ensure necessary protections against espionage, sabotage, and terrorism.
- Conducts operations to detect, deter, and neutralize security violations and workplace violence.
- Reviews and develops new or proposed security policies, plans, procedures, and guidelines to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and policy for the protection of personnel, programs, information, and facilities.
- Serves as Duty Agent for the Office of Protective Services (OPS) for any protective service matters affecting the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), on-duty and off.
- Serves as a Lead Special Agent for major events held within KSC property.
- Supports major KSC OPS law enforcement/security functions including training and awareness, investigations, badging/access control, workplace violence prevention, facility and asset protection, contractor oversight, and strategic security planning.
Requirements
- This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
- This position may require a one-year probationary period. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. **See Additional Information section**
- You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
- Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/Directorate/Division/Branch requirements.
- Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duty location/Directorate/Division/Branch requirements.
- If selected, you must be able to obtain and maintain the following license/certification: Federal Arrest Authority and Special Agent.
- If selected, you must be able to meet the criteria for use of a firearm in accordance with the Federal Arrest Authority.
- If selected, you must be able to meet the standards and training qualifications in strict compliance with 14 CFR, Chapter V, Part 1203b.103 Security Programs Arrest Authority, and Use of Force by NASA Security Force personnel.
Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.
To qualify for GS-12, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level:
- Assisting with facility security assessments to identify vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with established regulations;
- Coordinating with appropriate officials to implement physical security measures such as anti-terrorism, anti-espionage, or sabotage protection;
- Reviewing, documenting, and supporting inquiries into security violations.
To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level:
- Analyzing, developing, and conducting facility security assessments in conformance with regulations;
- Collaborating with the appropriate authorities to design and implement physical security measures such as anti-terrorism, anti-espionage and sabotage protection;
- Conducting investigations into security violations.
Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Evaluation
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.
Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preference information on the FedsHireVets website.
You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or assessment questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.
You will be assessed on the following competencies:
- Physical Security
- Public Safety and Security
- Partnering
- Teamwork
- Decision Making
- Integrity/Honesty
- Attention to Detail
NASA considers paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: [email protected].
Required Documents
All submitted resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length. Resumes longer than two pages will be rejected by USAJOBS. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize including experience and relevant qualifications that directly align with the position advertised. All work experience and accomplishments must be associated with dates (month/year) to allow for accurate qualification assessment.
A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please see this guidance: . Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire.
Please note: if any of the following types of information are included on your resume, your application package will be disqualified:
- Classified or government sensitive information.
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Photos of yourself
- Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
- Encrypted and digitally signed documents.
The following documents are required:
- Resume
There may be other supporting documents (licenses, certification, veterans preference, etc.), depending on your answers to the questionnaire and job announcement description, that you may have to submit, please verify your application. Do not submit an OF-306 with your application.
If you are a surplus or displaced employee (CTAP and ICTAP), submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP. This includes copies of your agency notice, most recent Performance Rating and most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting current position, grade level, and duty location.
Official documents are required at the time of appointment for verification of eligibility and qualifications.
Optimize Your Resume for This Job
Get a match score and see exactly which keywords you're missing
Job Details
- Department
- Mechanical
- Category
- Security
- Employment Type
- Contract
- Location
- Kennedy Space CenterKennedy Space Center, Florida
- Posted
- Apr 28, 2026, 08:00 PM
- Listed
- Apr 29, 2026, 12:15 AM
- Compensation
- $90,173 - $139,398 per year
About NASA
Part of the growing frontier tech ecosystem pushing the edges of what's possible.
More Roles at NASA
Similar Security Roles
Found this role interesting?
Shipping like we're funded. We're not. No affiliation.
