Cybersecurity Specialist

Position Overview
Cadence Coalition LLC is seeking an experienced Cybersecurity Specialist to support the U.S. Department of Energy Naval Reactors Laboratory Field Office (NRLFO), Mission Support Division (MSD), in support of Naval Reactors Program activities.
The selected candidate will lead and support classified and unclassified cybersecurity programs, plan and lead compliance reviews and formal security surveys, assess contractor information-security programs and technical controls, identify vulnerabilities and non-compliance, develop local cybersecurity policies and long-range plans, and recommend corrective actions and process improvements. The position also prepares reports, evaluation results, and related correspondence in accordance with DOE/NR/NRLFO correspondence standards.
This is a part-time, on-site key-personnel position located at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in Schenectady, New York. The role requires a DOE Q access authorization and the ability to work independently in a highly sensitive, mission-focused environment.
Primary Responsibilities
• Lead and support the implementation and management of classified and unclassified cybersecurity programs at NRLFO site offices.
• Ensure cybersecurity activities comply with applicable DOE/NNSA requirements, Federal requirements, Cyber Security Program guidance, and local Cyber Security Risk Management Program requirements.
• Develop, maintain, interpret, and implement local cybersecurity policies, procedures, long-range plans, and strategic guidance aligned with mission objectives and higher-level directives.
• Provide advice and training to personnel on the proper implementation of cybersecurity policies, standards, and requirements.
• Plan, schedule, and lead recurring cybersecurity compliance reviews and formal security surveys at NRLFO sites and associated contractor facilities.
• Evaluate classified and unclassified information-security programs by reviewing policies, procedures, system security plans, and technical controls.
• Identify findings, vulnerabilities, control weaknesses, and instances of non-compliance with DOE/NNSA cybersecurity requirements.
• Document and report cybersecurity review, audit, and survey results, including formal reports with findings, recommendations for improvement, and required corrective actions.
• Recommend and lead special projects and process-improvement initiatives designed to strengthen NRLFO cybersecurity and IT-management practices.
• Develop and implement practical solutions that improve security without unnecessarily impeding mission productivity.
• Provide cybersecurity input to software-application development and other IT enhancements as needed to improve security and mission effectiveness.
• Prepare draft and final correspondence, reports, evaluation results, forms, letters, and memoranda using DOE/NR/NRLFO templates and correspondence manuals, and recommend template updates for Government concurrence.
• Maintain complete cybersecurity program documentation and tracking logs that meet Federal lifecycle, quality-assurance, and auditability requirements, correctly named and filed in designated network folders.
• Prepare weekly status reports summarizing completed tasks, outstanding work, risks, and recommended improvements.
• Coordinate, as required, with NRLFO, Naval Reactors Headquarters, site personnel, and associated contractor facilities.
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in cybersecurity, computer science, information systems, information technology, engineering, or another directly relevant field, AND a minimum of five (5) years of directly relevant cybersecurity or information-security experience; OR a Master's degree in a directly relevant field from an accredited college or university AND a minimum of three (3) years of directly relevant experience.
• Minimum of one (1) year of specialized cybersecurity experience at, or equivalent to, the U.S. Government GS-12 level, demonstrating the ability to lead cybersecurity audits, compliance reviews, vulnerability assessments, or risk analyses and to identify IT-system vulnerabilities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Federal cybersecurity laws, regulations, and directives, including DOE Orders, NNSA policies, Department of Defense instructions, and Intelligence Community directives, and their implementation requirements.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex ideas, data, findings, and recommendations clearly and concisely to senior leadership.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor in a high-visibility, mission-focused environment and to work independently under tight deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Ability to independently establish work objectives, manage multiple priorities, and meet commitments without close supervision.
Substitutions: The degree requirement may not be substituted with experience for this position. A current, directly relevant professional certification (e.g., CISSP, CISM, CompTIA Security+) may substitute for one (1) year of the five-year experience requirement for Bachelor's-degree holders (i.e., Bachelor's + four (4) years + certification); the one-year GS-12-equivalent requirement may not be reduced by certification.
Security, Access, and Suitability Requirements
• A DOE Q access authorization is required for this position.
• U.S. citizenship is required. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) access authorization at the level stated above.
• A DOE access authorization is required for unescorted access and is expected to be in place before the start of performance. Candidates holding an active DoD clearance at an equivalent or higher tier may be eligible for reciprocity while DOE adjudication is completed; a staggered start may be accommodated where DOE adjudication is not complete by the anticipated start date.
• This is a Testing Designated Position under 10 CFR Part 707. Employment is contingent on a pre-employment drug test, and incumbents are subject to random and for-cause testing.
• This position requires access to a classified network and a Limited Access Area. Must comply with all site security, safety, health, environmental, information-security, nondisclosure, and training requirements, including the handling of information and materials of national-security interest.
• Proposed candidates are subject to Government review and approval of resumes as part of the quote evaluation. Selected candidates will be asked to sign a letter of commitment contingent upon contract award.
Work Location and Schedule
• Work will be performed on-site at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, Schenectady (Niskayuna), NY. This site is the official duty station; no travel to other NRLFO locations is anticipated.
• This is a part-time assignment anticipated at 1,560 hours per period of performance (approximately 30 hours per week).
• Coverage is required during core hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday, excluding Government holidays and site shutdowns; the part-time schedule will be structured to support required core-hour coverage.
• General office hours may be scheduled between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. local time, with start and end times adjustable by mutual agreement.
• The position is on-site. Telework may be authorized only by exception at the Government's discretion; candidates should expect to work on-site.
Preferred Qualifications
• Familiarity with software-design concepts, multiple IT disciplines, and IT infrastructure components sufficient to collaborate across diverse technical areas.
• Relevant professional cybersecurity certification such as CISSP, CISM, or similar.
• Active DOE Q access authorization or active DoD Top Secret clearance with a current Tier 5 investigation.
• Demonstrated success proactively resolving complex cybersecurity or IT issues and improving processes to enhance organizational efficiency and security posture.
• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with a broad range of Government, contractor, site, and technical stakeholders.
• Experience developing and implementing organizational cybersecurity or IT policies, security plans, standard operating procedures, or organizational directives.
• Prior DOE/NNSA, Naval Reactors, or national-laboratory cybersecurity experience.
Application Requirements
Applicants should submit a current resume that clearly identifies:
• Education and degree field, including whether the degree is a Bachelor's or Master's degree, and the accredited institution.
• Total years of directly relevant cybersecurity experience (minimum five (5) years with a Bachelor's degree or three (3) years with a Master's degree), with employment dates.
• Experience leading cybersecurity audits, compliance reviews, vulnerability assessments, and/or risk analyses at the GS-12-equivalent level, including scope and level of responsibility.
• Experience identifying IT-system vulnerabilities and developing corrective actions or recommendations.
• Experience applying DOE/NNSA, DoD, Intelligence Community, FISMA/NIST, or comparable Federal cybersecurity requirements.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, Security+, or similar, if applicable.
• Availability to work on-site in Schenectady, NY and to support the anticipated September 30, 2026 start date.
• Current security-clearance/access status (DOE Q/L or DoD TS/Secret), investigation type and date, and any relevant DoD clearance that may support DOE reciprocity.
• Confirmation of U.S. citizenship.
About Cadence Coalition
Cadence Coalition LLC is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Woman-Owned Small Business providing information technology, cybersecurity, software engineering, intelligence, mission support, training, and emerging-technology solutions to federal and defense customers.
Cadence Coalition LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws