About this role
Job SummaryNIST's Research Security Office (RSO) is seeking an Operations Specialist. This position will be responsible for facilitating operational workflows, evaluating research security protocols, and facilitating interagency information sharing.
QualificationsThis position requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 (ZA-2 at NIST) level. Specialized experience is defined as: Coordinating and analyzing research security review workflows and managing interagency information exchanges to improve operational efficiency and risk identification. Experience refers to 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. The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration
Major DutiesIn this position, you will: Coordinate classified and unclassified research security briefings, prepare sensitive meeting materials, and track executive action items through completion. Evaluate RSO team projects, clearance reviews, and administrative intake processes to identify operational bottlenecks and implement workflow changes that accelerate review timelines and improve deliverable quality. Collaborate with RSO leadership to document office policies, establish compliance metrics, and maintain multi-year work plans that track long-range research security objectives. Manage requests, follow-up actions, and ongoing communications between the research security office and external partner agencies to resolve operational inquiries, reconcile conflicting information, and maintain complete records of interagency guidance