
Facility Security Officer
Job Description
Position Summary
We're looking for a proactive, engaged Facility Security Officer to join our headquarters team. This isn't a "check the box" role — we want someone who owns the security program, drives continuous improvement, and brings energy and initiative to everything from audit prep to industry engagement. You'll be the go-to for keeping our programs compliant while also playing an active role in physical security at our HQ facility.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Program Security and Compliance
- Administer and maintain facility security clearances and personnel security programs in accordance with the NISPOM and applicable government requirements.
- Serve as the primary liaison with Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) representatives.
- Prepare for, lead, and actively follow up on security vulnerability assessments (and DCSA audits — including documenting findings, tracking corrective actions, and driving measurable improvement between audit cycles.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in DISS, NISS, and other required systems.
Physical Security
- Oversee HQ physical security posture including access control, visitor management, and classified space requirements.
- Identify gaps and make recommendations for improvements proactively — not reactively.
Continuous Improvement and Industry Engagement
- Actively participate in the security professional community — NCMS, ISAC chapters, ASIS, industry working groups, DSS outreach events, and relevant conferences.
- Bring back actionable intelligence and best practices to the team.
- Stay current on policy changes, emerging threats, and industry trends, and translate those into updates to our internal program.
Team and Culture
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Program Managers, Contracts, HR, and IT.
- Maintain a positive, solutions oriented presence on the team.
- Support and mentor junior security staff as the team grows.
Requirements
- 3–5+ years of FSO or industrial security experience in a defense contractor environment.
- Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.
- Strong working knowledge of the NISPOM, DISS, NISS, and DCSA processes.
- Demonstrated track record of audit readiness, not just passing audits, but actively improving scores and correcting findings between cycles.
- Someone who is plugged into the security community, attends events, knows their DCSA reps by name, and brings that knowledge back to the organization.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, you'll be working with everyone from program staff to senior leadership.
- Self-starter who doesn't need to be told what needs attention.
Preferred
- FSO Program Management for Possessing Facilities certification (CDSE).
- Active TS with SCI eligibility.
- NCMS membership or similar professional affiliation.
- Experience supporting multiple facility clearances or a multi-site environment.
Special Note
Corporate FSO — What the Role Actually Looks Like
A practical guide to the day-to-day, month-to-month reality of the FSO role
Daily
- Check DISS/NISS for pending actions — incoming visit requests, investigation updates, clearance flags.
- Respond to questions from program staff (access decisions, visitor management, classified space questions).
- Handle any incidents or anomalies from the previous day.
- Touch base with DCSA rep if anything is active.
- Review access logs, badging reports, or any physical security flags at HQ.
Weekly
- Meet with program managers to stay ahead of upcoming contract requirements, new hires needing clearances, or travel to classified locations.
- Review your audit improvement tracker — what did DCSA flag last time, what has been fixed, what is still open?
- Team check-ins if managing other security staff.
- Scan CDSE updates, DSS advisories, or NCMS newsletters for anything relevant.
Monthly
- Pull together a security metrics snapshot for leadership (clearance status, open actions, audit readiness posture).
- Run or coordinate security awareness training for staff.
- Attend a local NCMS chapter meeting, DCSA industry day, or similar event — and produce a brief summary of key takeaways for the team.
- Review and update Standard Practice Procedures (SPPs) if anything has changed.
Quarterly / Annually
- Lead internal mock audits or self-inspections so there are zero surprises when DCSA arrives.
- Attend a larger conference — NCMS National Seminar, ASIS GSX, or similar — and bring back a briefing for the team.
- Update the corrective action plan based on the last audit and track measurable progress toward a better score.
- Brief leadership on the state of the security program, current risks, and upcoming requirements.
The Community Piece
A great FSO is genuinely connected to the broader security community. That means:
- They know their DCSA Industrial Security Representative personally — not just as an auditor who shows up once a year.
- They are active in NCMS (the professional association for cleared contractors) — attending local chapter events, networking with FSOs at peer companies, and occasionally presenting.
- They follow CDSE training updates and voluntarily pursue new certifications.
- When a policy changes (like a NISPOM revision), they already knew it was coming.