Principal Safeguards & Security Specialist (Principal Technical Analyst)

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).  Our MISSION is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high-hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site’s Cold War legacy.  Our VISION is to be the user site of choice for large-scale, high-hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 2,750+ professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.   

• MSTS offers our full-time employees highly competitive salaries and benefits packages including medical, dental, and vision; both a pension and a 401k; paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays; relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location); tuition assistance and reimbursement; and more.  
• MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell), Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs), and HII Nuclear Inc.

NNSS is seeking a Principal Safeguards & Security Specialist (S&S) to assist the Technical Analysis Section supervisor in the completion of security analysis which includes conducting blast analysis and determining security risk. In this role as the Principal Technical Analyst, you will provide technical support to the Nevada Field Office (NFO) by conducting analyses that support S&S planning activities for Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS), fixed facilities and projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct analysis to include complex characterizations of targets, threats, facilities, protective force (PF), and insider threats.
• Asset characterization of NNSS assets defined in the Department of Energy (DOE) Order 470.3C Design Basis Threat (DBT) security assets. This includes the categorization and assignment of protection levels (PL) for special nuclear material (SNM), accountable nuclear material, classified information and matter, hazardous chemicals, radiological materials, government property (to include critical infrastructure), and personnel.
• Conduct analysis (including software modeling) and have familiarization with blast and explosive effects, safety, breaching, and initiation systems (vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, fuses, and man-carried). 
• Characterize PL 1-4 facilities to include delay and blast analysis, development of figures of merit for physical security systems, and identification of essential elements (EE) and non-essential elements (NEE) for security assets.
• Conduct insider analysis in accordance with the DBT, and vulnerability and security risk assessments used to support the determination of risk to DOE/NNSA assets.
• Develop DBT graduated threat axis scenarios in accordance with DBT to determine risk for PL 1-4 facilities.
• Support the development of neutralization analysis for PL 1-4 facilities in accordance with the DBT in order to develop protection system effectiveness.
• Develop and conduct security risk assessments for PL 5-8 assets in accordance with the DBT used to communicate risk to the appropriate risk accepting official.
• Provide technical input to security system construction and installation, active/passive barrier systems, and participate in NNSA security system design reviews at the NNSS for Perimeter Intrusion Detection and Assessment System (PIDAS), vault-type rooms (VTR), and other support required for security system installations.
• Conduct assessments and report risk to the NFO for concerns not previously analyzed. 
• Provide briefings to the Senior Management and NFO.
• Represent MSTS at meetings related to security risk and planning activities.
• Perform other duties assigned by Management.

• Bachelor's degree in a field related to the position or equivalent training and experience, plus 8 years of progressive related experience.
• Expert knowledge of advanced principles, concepts and theory related to the position and ability to address issues and define and resolve the most difficult and challenging problems.
• Able to work independently on safeguards and security program objectives and strategies and formulate strategies for improving operations/processes.
• Able to develop and maintain relationships with all levels of employees throughout the company, customers, outside agencies, and various levels of personnel within parent organizations, DOE/HQ, DOE/NNSA, and other contractors including LANL, LLNL, and Sandia as needed to facilitate meeting safeguards and security program objectives while screening and maintaining confidentiality.
• Able to prioritize and schedule multiple activities in the most efficient manner and meet required deadlines.
• Able to use software applications needed in the position, including accounting software, analytical software, financial analysis software, word processing software, spreadsheet software, presentation software, and database software.
• Attention to detail and accuracy required in ensuring that policy decisions, procedures, and operations are in compliance with MSTS and DOE regulations, procedures, and federal and state laws.
• Must possess planning/organizing skills and initiative; employ independent judgment; and apply knowledge and experience to ensure that requirements are completed efficiently and on time.
• Must possess interpersonal communication skills of an influencing and motivating nature to interface effectively with all levels of management, DOE security personnel, and outside agencies.
• Must possess the ability to understand complex data, terminology, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Able to utilize independent judgment, creativity, and initiative to evaluate alternative methods of solving problems, problem resolution, and to ensure that requirements are completed efficiently and on time.
• The primary work location will be at the Losee Road facility in North Las Vegas, Nevada).
• Work schedule will be 4/10s Monday through Thursday. (subject to change) 
• Pre-placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. In addition, Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years of age. Reference DOE Order 472.2, “Personnel Security”. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

 

Department of Energy Q Clearance (position will be cleared to this level). Reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR Part 707.4, “Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites,” will be conducted.  Applicant selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation, required to participate in subsequent reinvestigations, and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. Successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination, may also be required. Reference 10 CFR Part 709, “Counterintelligence Evaluation Program.”

  

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. MSTS is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

 

Annual salary range for this position is: $101,982.40 - $155,521.60.

Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate education and experience and internal equity.