Job Information
Fairbanks Morse Defense Facility Security Officer (FSO) in Pascagoula, Mississippi
In this role, the FSO is a key driver of operational security readiness—overseeing self-inspections, maintaining continuous regulatory compliance, and providing timely, accurate reporting to corporate leadership and government security authorities. This position is essential to ensuring trust, accountability, and security integrity across all classified and controlled activities, directly supporting the execution of defense contracts and protection of national security interests.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Creates, updates, and maintains procedures to fulfill requirements of the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) as set forth in the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual for Safeguarding Classified Information (NISPOM). Implements operational, personnel, and physical security plans.
Oversees and maintains personnel and facility clearances, continually working to right-size scope and level of cleared personnel and facilities to optimize research outcomes. Directs annual comprehensive security assessments.
Manages and initiates personnel clearances and processes visit access requests in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring clear and professional communication with staff to support efficient and compliant execution of classified work requirements.
Develops and manages prime and subcontract DD-254s.
Serves as a primary participant and leads preparation for DCSA Security Vulnerability Assessments and Continuous Monitoring engagements. Conducts periodic self-inspections in accordance with 32 CFR 117 and DCSA research security policies.
Investigates, reports, and documents security infractions and violations in coordination with the DCSA industrial security representative.
Supervises security education and training programs by engaging with researchers to identify training needs, maintaining awareness of evolving federal security requirements, and developing or sourcing training, briefings, and educational materials. Coordinates required briefings for cleared personnel.
Directs administrative security operations, including tracking classified and security-related documents such as proposals, projects, facility, and contract materials (e.g., DD-254s), in coordination with contracting offices. Maintains secure, organized handling of classified and sensitive records in both digital and physical formats.
Implements, refines, and develops security procedures including oversight of badging and access control, classified visit requests, courier requirements, and secure data transmittal. Maintains working knowledge of requirements for foreign, U.S. government, and cleared visitor monitoring.
Provides clear, professional communication to cleared personnel and staff regarding security requirements and updates, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and consistency. Builds strong working relationships across all levels of the organization.
Establishes and maintains cleared personnel processes including onboarding, offboarding, adverse HR actions, internal investigations, foreign travel, and outside engagements.
Coordinates with the Global Research Security Officer to ensure personnel and facility security during international engagements.
May travel locally and nationally to conferences and meetings as required.
Coordinates occasional disposal of classified or sensitive materials.
NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Supports special conferences, visits, and community relation events as needed.
Provides briefings to senior leadership on security topics upon request.
Coordinates disposal of classified or sensitive material.
Supports safety and security drills.
Physical Demands
Lifting 25–50 lbs
Carrying 10–25 lbs
Continuously moderately sedentary work
Depth perception required
Hearing required
Travel required
Exposure to cold weather and excessive heat or humidity
Occasional prolonged standing/walking
Qualifications, Skills and Educational Requirements
Bachelor’s degree required
3–5 years of relevant experience
Valid FSO Program Management for Safeguarding Facilities certificate or ability to obtain within six months of employment
Thorough working knowledge of NISPOM and current DoD security guidance
Familiarity with the following systems (minimal assistance required):
NBIS (eAPP or Agency portals)
NISS
DISS
eMASS
NCAISS
Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Excel, OneNote)
Envoy Visitor System
Work Authorization / Security Clearance Requirements
U.S. Citizen
Active SECRET clearance or higher, or ability to obtain one
Additional Information
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities. Duties may change at any time, with or without notice.
Travel: less than 5%
Language: English
Fairbanks Morse Defense offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, 401(k) with employer match, paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, and tuition reimbursement.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled