Staff Careers

The Security Assistant provides entry-level administrative support and coordination for security-related programs, processes, and initiatives. This role supports the effective management and implementation of the University of Alabama in Huntsville Industrial Security Program, ensuring compliance with the requirements outlined in 32 CFR Part 117 National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual. The position is responsible for assisting employees with fingerprint processing and submission through the Secure Web Fingerprint Transmission, maintaining accurate and secure personnel security files, and ensuring timely updates of training records and personnel information within the SIMS database.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Collaborate with the entire Research Security Enterprise at University of Alabama in Huntsville to maintain a high level of research security and compliance.

• Serve as the primary coordinator and provide administrative support for the Office of Research Security (ORS).

• Maintain a visible and professional presence while providing assistance and support to all visitors entering the ORS.

• Enforce access control procedures within the ORS, a controlled area with strict security requirements, ensuring all visitor protocols are properly followed.

• Assist with the submission and tracking of facility work orders, telecommunications requests, and Office of Information Technology (OIT) service requests.

• Coordinate the pickup and delivery of mail for both on-campus locations and designated classified locations, including the post office and courier services such as FedEx.

• Review, approve, and submit requests for contractor badges for access to Redstone Arsenal.

• Ensure all badge requests are complete and compliant by verifying Personal Data Sheets, confirming citizenship status, and validating that all required training has been completed prior to submission.

• Process and manage Personnel Security Clearances (PCLs) for faculty, staff, and students at University of Alabama in Huntsville who require access to classified information in support of government contracts.

• Conduct weekly start-up briefings, and additional sessions as needed, for individuals initiating the PCL process, ensuring understanding of requirements and responsibilities.

• Review and verify the accuracy and completeness of SF-86 submissions to the U.S. Department of Defense, including required signature release forms and fingerprint documentation.

• Maintain and manage personnel security files in accordance with established security protocols and regulatory requirements.

• Process and submit fingerprints through the Secure Web Fingerprint Transmission system to support clearance investigations.

• Create, organize, and maintain secure electronic personnel security records.

Participate in and support annual security refresher training required for all cleared personnel.

• Assist with the preparation and processing of Visit Authorization Letters (VALs) for cleared faculty, staff, and students traveling to government and contractor facilities.

• Enter and maintain daily Export Control training records within the SIMS system, ensuring accuracy and timely updates.

• Establish and manage contracts that include Export Control and/or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) requirements, ensuring full compliance with applicable regulations.

• Monitor contract lifecycles and coordinate closeout activities, ensuring all required steps are completed in a timely manner in collaboration with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) and external stakeholders.

• Coordinate and maintain all required documentation for Technology Control Plans (TCPs) and the Research Computing Environment (RCE) associated with contracts involving Export Control and/or CUI.

• Review and approve Personal Data Sheets, verify citizenship status, and confirm completion of all required training for individuals working on controlled or restricted contracts.

• High school education or an equivalent combination of education and years of experience.
• Must have minimum one year of verifiable security administration experience.
• Knowledge of DoD requirements to include NISPOM, DISS, EQIP, and SWFT.
• Ability to provide oral training presentations to newly cleared employees.
• Skilled problem identifier and troubleshooter with ability to build consensus with team and effectively managing corrective action projects and team members in a security environment.
• A sound knowledge of the full range of security principles, concepts, practices, products and services; methods for evaluating risk and vulnerability; implementing mitigating improvement; and disseminating security procedures/processes.
• Must have excellent communications skills.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• This position requires an active Secret clearance.

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
Training courses from the Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE) is preferred/ Basic computer security training is desired.
• Experienced with the Security Portals: NISS, DISS, NBIS and SIMS.
• Training and experience using the Secure Web Fingerprint is preferred/transmission SWFT database application is desired.
• Industrial Security experience in an academic setting is preferred; one year of experience in DoD classified environment is desired.

$30,000 - $31,200