Duties
The Supervisory Physical Security Specialist serves in a dual capacity as the principal advisor to the OPS Deputy Director, Physical Security and Business Operations on all physical security and risk management functions and as the supervisor for key divisions across OPS to include Project Management, Deferred Maintenance, Safety, and the Smithsonian's ID Office.
In This Position, You Will
• Perform all the major aspects of a supervisor which include interviewing and selecting candidates for positions; training and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; recommended promotions, reassignments and other personnel actions; etc.
• Manage planning, coordination, and stakeholder engagement activities that support a Physical Security Program, including Security Modernization and Anti-Terrorism initiatives.
• Provide senior level oversight of the OPS Safety Program.
• Recommend and initiate courses of action for overall security and law enforcement programs from acquisition through implementation.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
• Requires career/career-conditional status or eligibility.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
Conditions of Employment
Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.
For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on
Qualifications
Experience:
GS-15: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as
• overseeing physical security and risk management programs;
• supervising key operational divisions, including Project Management, Deferred Maintenance, Safety, and identification and credentialing programs; and
• delivering mission-critical services such as regulatory compliance, operational readiness, and enterprise risk mitigation.
Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.
Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying).
Education
This position does not have a positive education requirement.
Additional information
This position is not included in the bargaining unit.
Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, ce
S
Supervisory Physical Security Specialist (Detail/Temporary Promotion Not To Exceed 180 Days).
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, District of Columbia, US
Posted 9/10/2026
3-5
Interested in this role?