Security Specialist

CISA is the Nation’s risk advisor, working with partners to defend against current threats and build a more secure and resilient critical infrastructure environment. Within CISA, the Infrastructure Security Division focuses on protecting critical infrastructure from all hazards by managing risk and enhancing resilience through collaboration with private sector owners and operators, SLTT partners, and other federal agencies.This position serves as a Security Specialist responsible for planning, designing, facilitating, and evaluating Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)-compliant exercises that support critical infrastructure security and resilience missions. The work centers on long-range exercise planning, stakeholder coordination, program analysis, and representation of the division in public and interagency forums.

Exercise executionPlans and executes new, substantive HSEEP-compliant exercises where precedent may be limited or unavailable.Develops long-range management plans to implement exercises focused on security and natural hazards resilience.Designs and facilitates exercises involving public-private coordination, state and local first responders, and other federal agencies.Supports exercise scenarios involving evolving threats, including active shooter incidents, vehicle ramming, unmanned aircraft systems, and related risks.Reviews programs, plans, and communications activities to ensure timely implementation and corrective action.Recommends exercise scenarios, injects, questions, and open-source reporting related to security activities.Analyzes exercise design and execution issues involving first responder protocols and the DHS soft targets and crowded places mission area.Monitors emerging security issues, risks, and vulnerabilities, including legislative, budgetary, and intergovernmental developments that may affect mission execution.Program analysisIdentifies issues and improvement opportunities during discussion-based and operational exercises.Conducts surveys, research projects, and special studies on program effectiveness and operational processes.Develops findings and recommendations through briefings, after-action reports, and project papers.Evaluates ongoing functions to determine whether program goals are being met and where operational efficiency can be improved.Recommends resource reallocation or augmentation based on program demand.Determines when written policies and procedures are needed and helps improve program execution across the team.Planning and coordination with federal, state, and local partners to ensure CISA, ISD, and regional capabilities are incorporated into response and recovery plans and annexes.Develops, reviews, and revises strategic plans, operational plans, after-action reports, policies, and procedures.Applies HSEEP, NIMS, ICS, FEMA operational planning doctrine, Federal Interagency Operational Plans, and CPG-101 in exercise planning and execution.Serves as a liaison with stakeholder organizations and associations and remains current on CISA programs and legislative developments affecting soft targets and crowded places.Facilitates planning meetings for discussion-based and operational exercises and supports operational exercise planning teams.Researches project issues, analyzes data, develops options and recommendations, and establishes schedules and milestones.Representing the divisionCommunicates with officials from other organizations, private sector leadership, and intergovernmental partners.Presents findings and recommendations in meetings, conferences, briefings, working groups, and other forums.Represents the division publicly as an exercise facilitator, exercise planner, and outreach lead.Promotes compliance with ISD planning standards through engagement with internal and external stakeholders.Specialized experienceApplicants should demonstrate experience in one or more of the following areas:Planning, facilitating, or evaluating HSEEP-compliant exercises.Coordinating with public and private sector stakeholders on emergency management, resilience, or security programs.Developing after-action reports, exercise documentation, policy documents, or strategic plans.Applying NIMS, ICS, FEMA operational planning concepts, or emergency operations planning guidance.Analyzing program effectiveness, identifying corrective actions, and improving organizational processes.Briefing senior leaders and representing an organization in interagency or public forums.

Emergency Management

This is on-site in Arlington, VA. Situational Telework MAY be authorized.Secret Clearance is required!Conditions of employmentThis position may be designated as essential personnel and may require service during continuity of operations events, emergency events, government closures, or other disruptions.The position is subject to emergency recall and may require irregular work hours, work at alternate locations, and duties outside the normal duty station.Travel may be required, including with limited advance notice.A pre-employment drug test is required and a negative result must be obtained before appointment.Work environmentThe work is primarily performed in an office setting, but operational exercises may take place outdoors and in variable conditions. Exercises may involve prolonged walking or standing and the transport of equipment used to simulate real-world incidents.Knowledge, skills, and abilitiesKnowledge of security and resilience program planning, administration, and evaluation.Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, and executing projects with limited supervision.Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally with diverse audiences, including senior officials.Knowledge of analytical and evaluative methods and program administration techniques.Ability to work in matrixed and multidisciplinary teams across organizational boundaries.Ability to interpret broad policy guidance and apply judgment in developing new approaches to complex security issues

✅ Turn your ops/EM/security experience into a laser‑focused resume that shows you can design, run, and evaluate multi‑agency security and resilience exercises✅ Title the email Security Specialist SkillBridge✅ Include your SkillBridge start/end dates in the body of the email✅ Send it to military@cisa.dhs.gov

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