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Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
This position is located fully onsite at a sponsor location in Honolulu, Hawaii. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This position will require frequent travel to remote locations.
We are searching for an experienced, organized, positive, and self-motivated Integrated Security Specialist to join the Joint Mission Integration and Experimentation (JMIE) Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. JMIE specializes in rapid development of warfighter capabilities in an aggregated and integrated multidomain environment.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
- Administer advanced security architectures for new technology programs across the spectrum of classification; facilitate intelligence requests to obtain state-of-the-world, rest-of-the-world, and state-of-the-art technology/capability status
- Assist with the research and recommendations of long and short-term program protection strategies and tactics for new and established programs; address program extensions or changes in program direction
- Administer appropriate security requirements, (e.g. COMSEC, INFOSEC, OPSEC, etc.) analysis, and procedures relative to specific technology programs; provide guidance and suggestions for improvement as appropriate; administer security requirements for breaches
- Prepare and issue DD 254s to appropriate contractors and contracting agents
- Provide guidance of Executive Order 13526, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), DoD Information Security Manuals, DoD SAP Security Manuals, and Technical Area Protection Plan (TAPP)
- Oversee the creation, coordination, and updates to program security documents and program protection implementation plans; Assess and coordinate performer created protection plans
- Develop and present briefings to leadership
- Assist with public release document security reviews for assigned programs
Additional responsibilities of higher level position:
- Indirect supervision of other full-time employees
- Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions
- Give candid and constructive feedback to others to influence and persuade managers and employees to accept and implement findings and recommendations
Required skills/experience areas include:
- Program security compliance across multiple global venues and node locations; security support for sensitive tests, field activities, and program lifecycle events
- Quality control reviews of program security documentation including Security Classification Guides (SCGs), Concept of Operations plans (CONOPS), Operations Security (OPSEC) plans, test and transportation plans, Technology Transfer Agreements (TTAs), Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), and Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs)
- Security architecture and Program Protection Plans (P2) for advanced R&D and acquisition programs across multiple classification levels, including documentation lifecycle
- Risk management, security strategy, and execution timelines for complex defense technologies
- Public release review for classified and controlled information
- Success in collaborations with government customers where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
- DD 254 creation for classified efforts
- Active security clearance, at the TS/SCI level
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Integrated Security Specialist (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None If filled as Integrated Security Specialist (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None
ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $96,120.00 - $182,400.00. This salary range includes an adjustment based on required geographic work location.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of relevant experience for the Senior Professional level, or equivalent education and experience
- Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of relevant experience for the Advanced Professional level, or equivalent education and experience
- Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance
- U.S. citizenship
- Experience with program security compliance across multiple global venues and node locations
- Experience supporting sensitive tests, field activities, and program lifecycle events
- Experience developing security architectures and Program Protection Plans for advanced R&D and acquisition programs across multiple classification levels
- Experience with risk management, security strategy, and execution timelines for complex defense technologies
- Experience conducting public release reviews for classified and controlled information
- Experience creating DD 254s for classified efforts
- Experience reviewing security documentation, including SCGs, CONOPS, OPSEC plans, test and transportation plans, TTAs, MOUs, and MOAs
- Strong communication and organizational skills for collaboration with government customers
- Eligibility to obtain a government security clearance
- Successful completion of background checks and participation in ARL drug testing and monitoring programs
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
Penn State University Insights
What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
