Job Summary
We are seeking a motivated Junior COMSEC Equipment Specialist to support the management, maintenance, and security of Communications Security (COMSEC) equipment. Working under the guidance of senior COMSEC personnel, the specialist will assist with equipment accountability, installation, troubleshooting, documentation, cryptographic key handling, and compliance activities.
Equipment Management
- Assist with maintaining inventories of COMSEC equipment, including encryption devices, secure telephones, and cryptographic key management systems.
- Perform routine equipment inspections and basic preventive maintenance under established procedures.
- Help track equipment assignments, transfers, maintenance activities, and lifecycle status.
- Report equipment discrepancies, malfunctions, or potential security concerns to senior personnel.
Installation and Technical Support
- Support the installation, configuration, testing, and troubleshooting of COMSEC equipment.
- Assist with verifying that equipment is configured according to approved technical guidance and security requirements.
- Document technical issues and escalate complex problems to senior COMSEC or information technology personnel.
Security and Compliance
- Follow established COMSEC policies, operating procedures, and applicable security standards.
- Assist with compliance reviews, equipment inspections, inventories, and security assessments.
- Help identify and report potential vulnerabilities, procedural deficiencies, or unauthorized activities.
- Handle COMSEC materials and sensitive information in accordance with applicable safeguarding requirements.
User Support and Training
- Provide basic technical assistance to authorized users of COMSEC equipment.
- Support senior personnel in delivering training on equipment operation, safeguarding procedures, and incident reporting.
- Develop familiarity with organizational COMSEC procedures and applicable security requirements.
Documentation and Records
- Maintain accurate equipment inventories, usage logs, maintenance records, and incident documentation.
- Assist with preparing routine status reports and documenting equipment anomalies or corrective actions.
- Ensure required records are complete, current, and properly stored.
Cryptographic Key Support
- Assist authorized personnel with the receipt, distribution, storage, accountability, and destruction of cryptographic keys and related materials.
- Follow established two-person integrity, access-control, and key-management procedures when applicable.
- Immediately report suspected loss, compromise, or mishandling of COMSEC materials.
Emergency and Continuity Support
- Assist with emergency communications, disaster-recovery activities, and continuity-of-operations exercises.
- Support the setup and testing of secure communications equipment during exercises or emergency events.
Qualifications
Education
- Associate degree or bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field is preferred.
- Relevant military training, technical education, certifications, or practical experience may be considered in place of a degree.
Experience
- Zero to two years of experience in COMSEC, information technology, cybersecurity, telecommunications, electronics, or a related technical field.
- Previous military, internship, help-desk, equipment-accountability, or secure-communications experience is preferred but not required.
- Basic familiarity with encryption, network security, secure communications, or cryptographic key management is beneficial.
- Willingness and ability to learn COMSEC equipment, procedures, and applicable security requirements.
Certifications
- COMSEC-specific training or equipment certifications are advantageous but not required at the time of hire.
- Must be willing to complete required COMSEC training after hire.
Skills
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to following established procedures.
- Basic technical troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to maintain accurate equipment records and documentation.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work independently on routine assignments and seek guidance when necessary.
- Ability to handle classified, sensitive, and controlled information with discretion.
- Ability to work effectively in a structured, security-focused environment.
Clearance Requirement
- An active Top Secret security clearance is required.