Safeguarding Global Defense: Becoming an Information Security Specialist for the Joint Chiefs of Staff

In an era of highly complex geopolitical relationships, the balance between international collaboration and national security is delicate. Sharing intelligence and tactical guidance with foreign allies is necessary for global stability, yet it introduces exceptional risks. Who determines what information can cross borders, and how is that information protected? This critical responsibility lies with the senior security experts within the Department of Defense.

The Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is currently seeking an experienced, strategic leader to fill the role of Information Security Specialist (Disclosure) at the GS-14 grade level. Based at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, this position offers an extraordinary opportunity to operate at the center of American military command, ensuring that our nation's military secrets remain secure while advancing strategic global partnerships.

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About the Agency: The Joint Chiefs of Staff

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) constitutes the highest level of military leadership in the United States. Composed of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, the chiefs of each military service branch, and supported by the Joint Staff, this body assists in directing the combatant forces of the United States. The Joint Staff is an elite, integrated team composed of approximately equal representation from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, working collaboratively to provide unified strategic command.

Operating within the Directorate of Management (DOM), Joint Staff Security Office, the Information Security Specialist works in a specialized environment where high-level national policy meets daily operational execution. The JCS Security Office is tasked with defending the Joint Staff’s personnel, facilities, and assets from persistent, multi-dimensional security threats—including espionage, foreign intelligence operations, and unauthorized disclosures.

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Key Job Responsibilities

As a GS-14 Information Security Specialist (Disclosure), you will serve as a premier authority on foreign disclosure policies. Your duties will not be merely administrative; they will shape how the United States interacts with international defense forces.

Key responsibilities include:

• Policy Stewardship & Program Management: Formulating, coordinating, and auditing security and foreign disclosure policies across all Joint Staff offices and regional operations.
• Request Evaluation: Analyzing and rendering final determinations on incoming foreign disclosure requests, assessing the strategic benefits of sharing information against potential compromise risks.
• High-Level Advising: Serving as a primary subject matter expert, offering real-time policy guidance to the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Directors, and other senior staff regarding the National Disclosure Policy (NDP).
• Inter-Agency and Service Coordination: Actively collaborating with Foreign Disclosure Officers (FDOs) across diverse Combatant Commands and Military Services to build unified processes, identify policy gaps, and elevate operational standards.
• Strategic Research: Conducting rigorous, structured risk and business case analyses to modernize foreign visit programs and disclosure mechanics, enhancing cost efficiencies and mission efficacy.

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Requirements and Qualifications

To qualify for this senior-level GS-14 position, applicants must show a deep, proven background in national security protocols. There is no educational substitution for experience at this level; qualifications must be demonstrated through prior professional service.

Specialized Experience

Candidates must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in federal service. Qualified experience includes:

• Leading the planning, creation, and execution of foreign disclosure and foreign visit policies.
• Acting as a primary technical authority on the sharing of Classified Military Information (CMI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) with international defense organizations and foreign governments.
• Applying deep familiarity with federal statutes, Executive Orders, Homeland Security Presidential Directives, and Intelligence Community Directives to establish local command guidelines.

Key Qualifications Table

To help you assess your suitability for this transition, review how the expectations scale between the preparatory GS-13 tier and the executive GS-14 vacancy:

Feature / Responsibility	GS-13 Level (Preparatory)	GS-14 Level (This Position)
Authority Scope	Implements established local protocols and reviews minor disclosure requests.	Develops major agency-wide policies and renders final assessments on complex disclosures.
Advisory Expectation	Provides tactical counsel to departmental managers and team leaders.	Serves as the authoritative advisor to the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and JCS Directors.
Collaboration Reach	Focuses on internal service branch or localized command units.	Coordinates extensively across diverse Combatant Commands and global partners.
Analysis Focus	Tracks routine security program metrics and executes standardized checklists.	Conducts advanced, multi-variable risk, cost/benefit, and strategic business case analyses.

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Salary and Compensation Overview

This position is categorized under the General Schedule (GS) pay system at the GS-14 grade level. The salary range for this role is:

• Minimum Salary: $143,913 per year
• Maximum Salary: $187,093 per year

This range includes the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington locality pay adjustment. Placement within the scale is determined by prior federal service history, experience levels, and qualifications during the selection process.

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Federal Benefits Package

Federal employment with the Department of Defense offers an exceptional suite of benefits designed to support long-term professional security and personal well-being:

• Health & Insurance Plans: Access to the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, offering comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverages with substantial agency premium contributions.
• Retirement Security: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which combines a defined-benefit pension with Social Security benefits.
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): A retirement savings account similar to a 401(k), featuring automatic agency contributions and matching funds up to 5%.
• Work-Life Flexibilities: Regular opportunities for flexible work schedules and telework, dependent on operational needs and unit leadership approval.
• Paid Leave: Generous annual vacation days, sick leave, and 11 fully paid federal holidays each calendar year.

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Application Tips and Strategy

The application vetting process for the Joint Staff is rigorous and highly automated. To ensure your application packet passes the initial screening, apply these strategies:

1. Format Your Resume Carefully (The 2-Page Rule): This vacancy enforces a strict two-page maximum limit on resumes. If your resume is even slightly longer than two pages, or does not meet the formatting guidelines (PDF format, minimum 0.5-inch margins, minimum 10-point font), you will be immediately disqualified. Keep your writing dense, impactful, and precisely tailored.
2. Quantify Your Experience: Do not simply list your day-to-day tasks. Use clear metrics to prove your competence, detailing the size of programs you managed, the classification levels you handled, and the scale of the foreign delegations you hosted.
3. Cross-Reference the Questionnaire: Review the online questionnaire before writing your resume. Ensure that every skill or experience you claim in the questionnaire is thoroughly and clearly backed up with descriptive evidence in your two-page resume.
4. Verify Your Documents: Ensure that your competitive status documents, such as your most recent SF-50, clearly display your current grade, tenure, and position type to avoid any administrative delays.

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Q: Does this position require travel?

This role is located at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. Some local and national travel may be required to coordinate with various Combatant Commands and attend security review boards, but regular, extensive travel is not typical.

Q: Are there pre-employment screenings for this role?

Yes. Because of the highly sensitive nature of the information handled by the Joint Staff Security Office, candidates must pass a pre-employment drug screening and will be subject to random drug testing throughout their employment.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

All applications, including the online assessment and all supporting documents, must be submitted by September 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.

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Serving as an Information Security Specialist (Disclosure) for the Joint Chiefs of Staff is more than a security career—it is a central pillar in the defense structure of the United States. Operating from the Pentagon, the professional chosen for this role will influence how our country shares critical strategic information with international partners, directly shaping global security outcomes.

If you possess the required specialized security background, a commitment to protecting national defense, and the ability to operate under pressure, take the next step in your career and apply before the September 12, 2026 deadline.