[Hiring] Security Specialist @Maryland Department of Transportation

Role Description

Help safeguard one of Maryland’s most vital gateways to global commerce. The Maryland Port Administration is seeking a knowledgeable, action-oriented Security Specialist to help protect its people, facilities, and operations. Serving as an alternate Facility Security Officer, this role supports maritime-security compliance, oversees contracted guard and law-enforcement operations, coordinates drills, audits, inspections, incident inquiries, and emergency responses, and builds strong partnerships with federal, state, local, labor, and industry stakeholders. The position also manages federal port-security grant projects from application through closeout, develops practical policies and training, and turns complex requirements into effective solutions. This is an opportunity for a skilled security professional to make a visible impact in a fast-paced port environment where sound judgment, collaboration, and readiness matter every day.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure maritime security compliance by serving as an alternate Facility Security Officer and supporting adherence to the Maritime Transportation Security Act, the SAFE Port Act, 33 CFR, applicable State regulations, and the Facility Security Plan.
• Affirm the execution of the Facility Security Plan by assessing security needs, preparing amendments, updating procedures, and recommending corrective actions when deficiencies are identified.
• Coordinate inspections, audits, drills, and exercises, including preparation for the annual U.S. Coast Guard security inspection and completion of required security audits and readiness activities.
• Oversee daily security and law-enforcement operations at port facilities, including contracted guard staffing, deployment, post assignments, certifications, equipment, vehicles, and compliance with post orders and contract requirements.
• Evaluate contractor performance and expenditures by conducting operational inspections, reviewing reports and performance data, verifying staffing and billed services, and directing corrective measures.
• Plan and coordinate incident and emergency response for security events, special operations, heightened threat conditions, and other situations affecting port facilities and continuity of operations.
• Conduct and support security inquiries involving incidents, suspicious activity, policy violations, or criminal matters, and prepare findings, recommendations, and after-action assessments.
• Build and maintain operational partnerships with federal, State, and local law-enforcement agencies, regulatory authorities, terminal tenants, labor organizations, contractors, and maritime-industry stakeholders.
• Manage federal Port Security Grant Program projects from project research and application development through investment justifications, budgets, reporting, audits, and grant closeout.
• Develop guidance and deliver security training by preparing policies, procedures, briefings, reports, and instruction on active-threat response, anti-terrorism, vehicle-borne explosive devices, theft prevention, access control, and related security requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, emergency management, homeland security, security management, public or business administration, or a related field.
• Four (4) years of relevant security and/or Law Enforcement experience, including at least two (2) years of specialized security-program, compliance, contractor-oversight, emergency-response, investigative, or grant-management experience.
• Full-time service in the U.S. Armed Forces may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required experience when the duties are directly related to physical or maritime security, force protection, law enforcement, emergency management, antiterrorism, installation protection, security compliance, investigations, or security operations.

Requirements

• Possess and maintain a Class C motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.
• Obtain and maintain a Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC) during the probationary period.
• Obtain a Facility Security Officer certification within 90 days of hire.

Benefits

• A selection of high-quality boots are provided with no out-of-pocket cost from the employee and continue to be covered for replacement once per year.
• Continued training and development is provided by the MPA.
• Tuition reimbursement and a No Cost No Debt educational program is available per MPA procedures and TSHRS policy.

Application Process

Please apply online at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mdotmd . Resumes cannot be substituted for the online employment application. Paper applications (Form DTS-1) will not be accepted for this recruitment. All applications must be received by 11/20/26.

Additional Information

• Employees must be willing and available for duty at such hours, day or night, as may be required to maintain continuous operation of a facility and are subject to call-in.
• Employees are required to maintain a reliable communication link for emergency call back requirements.
• Employees in this classification are considered "Essential Employees" and must sign and agree to all policies and procedures relating to "Essential Employee" status.