Classification Officer

The Laboratory Protection Division at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is seeking to hire a Deputy Classification Officer (CO) and Operations Security (OpSec) Program Specialist.

This position plays a crucial role in the safeguarding of critical information across a broad spectrum of technical programs advancing both national security and BNL’s mission for the U.S Department of Energy's Office of Science through the study of nuclear and particle physics, energy and environmental sciences, quantum information science, and artificial intelligence.

This position will act as a subject matter expert that plays a crucial role in the laboratory’s successful implementation of necessary security protocols. This position will serve as the go-to resource for the CO and OpSec programs, collaborating with scientists, engineers, and other staff to ensure the proper classification and protection of information at every stage of its development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Reviews portions of analysis, design and general execution of scientific and engineering projects and documentation for operational security and classification issues under the direction of the Security Operations Manager and Classification Officer.
• Participates in the review of aspects of design, procurement, manufacture, erection, test, and ongoing laboratory operations in support of the OPSEC Program.
• Participate in the management of the BNL contractor Classification Program, to include:
  • Mentor Derivative Classifiers through training to support the cadre of BNL derivative classifiers using materials developed by the DOE Office of Classification (OC).
  • Ensure satisfactory performance of the BNL classification program in reviews, assessments, and reporting to the DOE OC.
  • Support the management of the local holdings of DOE and other agency classification guidance for use in the BNL classification program.
  • Ensure that appropriate classification guidance is on-hand and deconflicted with DOE guidance for any classified work for agencies other than DOE prior to the start of work.
  • Complete reviews of classified documents and materials requested under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests as necessary.
  • Participate in facilitating the resolution of classification challenges
  • Perform Public Release Reviews of documents when authorized by the BNL CO.
• Maintain an operational awareness of the Controlled Unclassified Information requirements as they pertain to OPSEC and classification considerations.
• Maintain this position’s required classification education requirements by initial attendance at the required courses (Derivative Classifier, Classification Officer, Derivative Declassifier) and continuing education by attendance at the Annual CO Technical Program Review Meeting.
• Assist in defining Security plans and Information plans for specific programs or experiments which will clearly define what is unclassified and what information requires additional protection, based on approved classification guides or bulletins.
• Assists with the evaluation of new HQ guidance and prepare necessary revisions to local guides through CO should local guides be developed.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific, engineering, or technical field or relevant validated work experience.
• Minimum seven (7) years progressively responsible related work experience that demonstrates a sound knowledge of current principles and practices in a scientific or technical fields.
• U.S. citizenship and a DOE “Q” clearance is required.
• Ability to successfully complete Derivative Classifier training prior to assuming any CO responsibilities.
• Ability to complete Classification Officer Training no later than 6 months after assuming CO responsibilities.
• Ability to complete Derivative Declassifier training within 6 months of assuming full CO duties.
• Ability to communicate concisely and effectively, both orally and in writing, with employees, guests, senior management and representatives of regulatory agencies is required.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent working knowledge of computer systems, database and spreadsheet management, and web-based business systems is necessary.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Master’s degree in a relevant scientific, engineering or technical field
• Minimum ten (10) years progressively responsible related work experience that demonstrates a sound knowledge of current principles and practices in a scientific or technical fields.
• Demonstrated experience working in classified programs in the U.S. Federal government, at a National Laboratory, or in industry
• Knowledge of DOE O 471.6 Chg 4 (Admin Chg), Information Security.
• Knowledge of DOE O 471.7, Controlled Unclassified Information.
• Familiarity with DOE O 475.2B, Identifying Classified Information.
• Knowledge of classified matter protection and control (CMPC) laws, regulations, executive orders and DOE orders.

Other Information:

• Onsite position at BNL.
• Subject to 24-hour on-call in the event of any emergency and may require irregular work hours.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Relocation and housing cost will not be offered for this position.

Environmental, Health, and Safety Requirements:

Candidate will be required to at times:

• Work protracted and/or irregular hours.
• Perform computer/keyboard work.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. This is a multi-level role and the full salary range for this position is $106650 - $207750 / year. You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.