Classification/Program Protection Staff Officer SME - 175268

*TS/SCI Clearance required for consideration*

Zachary Piper Solutions is currently seeking a Classification/Program Protection Staff Officer SME to support critical Department of War (DoW) security governance initiatives based in Arlington, VA. This position is a full-time role that will be onsite. This position is critical in ensuring the development, implementation, and integration of national and DoW security policies, classification management frameworks, and program protection requirements across the enterprise. As a Classification/Program Protection SME, you will play a pivotal role in advancing classification guidance, program protection planning, supply chain risk management, counterintelligence integration, and information security policy within a highly visible national security environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the development and implementation of national and DoW policy, guidance, and training related to Classification Management and Program Protection, approximately three times annually.
• Facilitate and oversee security reviews, assess security classification guidance, and evaluate Program Protection Plans approximately two times annually.
• Develop, coordinate, review, staff, and reconcile information security policies, directives, instructions, manuals, and related governance documents.
• Provide expert recommendations regarding classification management, program protection, and information security requirements affecting DoW and non-DoW entities.
• Draft and coordinate action memorandums, congressional responses, executive briefings, background papers, and other official correspondence.
• Participate in and support interagency and intra-agency meetings, working groups, and policy reviews.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with Research & Engineering (R&E), Acquisition & Sustainment (A&S), the DoW Chief Information Officer (CIO), Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), Joint Staff (J28), and other federal stakeholders.
• Ensure comprehensive integration of Program Protection, Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM), Counterintelligence (CI), and Information Security policies throughout DoW initiatives.
• Conduct oversight activities and assist leadership in evaluating and improving information security governance and policy implementation.
• Serve as a senior Security Policy Analyst and Action Officer supporting strategic security initiatives at the national level.

Requirements:

• Active TS/SCI Clearance
• Bachelor's Degree
• Ten (10) years of demonstrated knowledge of national and DoW information security policies and procedures.
• Five (5) years of experience working national-level information security issues affecting DoW and non-DoW entities.
• Five (5) years of experience developing policy, including drafting, formatting, tracking, staffing, reviewing, and reconciling DoW Directives, Instructions, Manuals, and related publications.
• Three (3) years of experience developing and coordinating policy, action memorandums, congressional responses, briefings, background research, oversight visits, and participating in interagency and intra-agency engagements.
• Four (4) years of security policy or operational experience serving as a staff action officer on an OSD, Joint Staff, or Military Department headquarters staff.
• Strong understanding of Classification Management, Program Protection, Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM), Counterintelligence (CI), and Information Security principles.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to coordinate across senior government stakeholders.

Compensation:

• Salary Range: $150,000 – $170,000 *depending on experience*
• Full Benefits:
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • 401(k)
  • PTO
  • Sick Leave if Required by Law

This job opens for applications on 9/28/2026. Applications for this job will be accepted for at least 30 days from the posting date.

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Keywords: Classification Management, Program Protection, Program Protection Plans, Security Classification Guidance, Information Security, National Security, Department of War, Department of Defense, Supply Chain Risk Management, SCRM, Counterintelligence, CI, DCSA, Joint Staff, Security Governance, Policy Development, Security Policy, Action Officer, TS/SCI, Information Protection, Security Reviews, Risk Management, Security Compliance, Federal Policy, Defense Acquisition, Research and Engineering, Congressional Responses, Security Training, Information Assurance, Security Directives, Security Instructions, Security Manuals, Policy Coordination, DoD Policy, National Security Programs