Protection Specialist Jobs
Protection Specialist jobs are open across corporate security, government agencies, healthcare, and financial services, from entry-level to senior and supervisory roles, with specializations in executive protection, threat assessment, and loss prevention. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Summary
The positions are in the FTA Office of Environmental Policy and Programs, Project Review and Advancement Division (TPE-31) and Environmental Technical Analysis Division (TPE-32). As an environmental professional, you will provide policy direction, guidance, and training to FTA Regional Offices and external audiences on implementing NEPA and related legislation and environmental requirements, as well as support for the efficient management of the environmental review process.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Clarification from the agency
This position will be filled using Direct Hire Authority; traditional rating and ranking, Veterans' Preference, and the 'Rule of Many' do not apply. Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. Due to the potential of a high volume of applicants, not all applicants may receive consideration.
Duties
As an Environmental Protection Specialist:
The specific duties of the position that will be filled with this announcement differ depending on the Division:
- Office of Environmental Policy and Programs, Project Review and Advancement Division (TPE-31): Provides policy direction, guidance, and training to FTA Regional Offices and project sponsors on the implementation of NEPA and related legislation and environmental requirements, and on the efficient management of the environmental review process.
- Office of Environmental Policy and Programs, Environmental Technical Analysis Division (TPE-32): Provides policy direction, guidance, and training to FTA Regional Offices and project sponsors on the technical analysis for specific environmental resource areas, including historic preservation and cultural resources; water quality, wetlands and other Clean Water Act issues; transportation conformity and other Clean Air Act issues; threatened and endangered species and habitat, fish and wildlife; noise and vibration; hazardous waste and brownfields; coastal zones and coastal barrier protection; and real property acquisition.
In TPE-31 and TPE-32, duties will include interpretation of legislation and statutory language and may include development of innovative tools to expedite reviews under environmental requirements.
The ideal candidate for this position is a career professional experienced in applying NEPA and related laws and regulations to surface transportation projects. Experience in NEPA, Section 106, and the Endangered Species Act is strongly desired. Experience working with environmental statutes, regulations, and policies is desirable as well. Candidates should have the skills and experience to work collaboratively and productively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, manage projects, and handle multiple competing priorities, issues, and projects simultaneously.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
- Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
- Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
- Direct Hire Authority/SME will be used to fill this position
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
- SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
- GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
- BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
- PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
Qualifications
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.
To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include:
- Experience guiding external stakeholders in fulfilling their NEPA and NEPA-related responsibilities for proposed surface transportation projects by providing guidance and advice on procedural or technical matters, and by performing reviews of impact assessments or analyses for major capital projects.
- Experience providing leadership in implementing agency-wide (or equivalent) regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, or training related to the analysis or mitigation of the environmental impacts of proposed surface transportation projects, including assessment of impacts in various environmental areas.
- Experience leading reviews to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements under multiple environmental impact areas, such as NEPA, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act or the Endangered Species Act.
To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include:
- Experience serving as a senior technical authority or program advisor to guide external stakeholders in fulfilling the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and NEPA-related obligations for surface transportation projects under the Federal environmental review process.
- Experience leading the development and implementation of agency-wide (or equivalent) regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, or training related to the analysis or mitigation of the environmental impacts for proposed surface transportation projects, including assessment of various environmental areas.
- Experience reviewing and critiquing regulatory proposals related to environmental issues and preparing written recommendations or comments.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
- Technical Credibility- Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.
- Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
- Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
- Writing - Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
- Problem Solving - Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations.
For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4
All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Additional information
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
All applicants: Your application will be reviewed in two phases determine how you move forward in the hiring process. Phase I: Your resume will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. ONLY two (2) pages of your resume will be reviewed. Additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) will not be reviewed. Applicants passing “Phase I” will move on to the “Phase II” of the assessment process where your application will be reviewed and rated based on the KSAs/Competencies listed in the vacancy announcement by a Subject Matter Expert (SME).
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
RESUME:In accordance with the OPM memorandum titled Merit Hiring Plan, dated May 29, 2025, resumes with a maximum of two (2) pages in length will be accepted as part of your application. These should be legible and in a readable font size. A determination of your eligibility and/or qualifications will be based only on those two (2) pages.
Your resume MUST contain specific information that can be used to make a qualification determination, including employment beginning and ending dates for each position, whether employment is Full-time or Part-time (e.g., Program Analyst, GS-343-11 | January 2009–Present | 40 Hours/Week) and position titles. If the position is/was in the Federal government, you will need to provide the position series and grade level. The resume should show relevant experience and education, as well as support the required specialized experience. Please visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to
TRANSCRIPTS are REQUIRED if there is a stated education requirement for the series OR if you are substituting education for experience. The transcripts need not be official, but must show that you meet the stated education requirements, including specific major or class requirements.
- ENGINEERS: If you are applying to an engineering position and are qualifying based on possessing a current Professional Engineer (PE) license, or passing the Engineer in Training (EIT) exam, please provide a copy of PE license or written documented proof of passing the EIT.
CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL APPLICANTS: Submit SF-50 documentation proving your highest competitive grade, federal eligibility, and 52-week time-in-grade requirement. To pass HR validation, it’s recommended to combine and upload these into a single PDF:
- Start Date: The SF-50 showing when you were originally appointed or promoted to the qualifying grade.
- End Date: An SF-50 dated at least 52 weeks later (e.g., a Within-Grade Increase, promotion, or subsequent action) to prove a sequential 52-week period.
Warning on Incomplete Documentation: Do not submit an award or current-year annual pay adjustment SF-50 by itself. These do not prove your original entry date or grade. If your documents fail to conclusively prove a full 52-week history, you will be rated Ineligible.
DISPLACED EMPLOYEES: If requesting consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency CTAP program (ICTAP), you must meet the standards for this vacancy and provide all of the following documents:
- your most recent performance appraisal,
- the proof of eligibility letter from the Agency, and
- your most current SF-50, displaying current series and grade.
Qualified CTAP/ICTAP candidates receive priority and will be referred to the hiring manager.
For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition.
SPECIAL ATTENTION: To be considered, you must submit all required resume details and applicable documents by the closing date of the announcement.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To be considered, you must submit all required resume details and applicable documents no later than 11:59 (EST) by the closing date of the announcement.
Note: Uploading documents to USAJobs does not automatically attach them to this application. You must review and verify that all files are successfully transferred to our system before final submission. Late or incomplete applications will be disqualified.
- To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting.
- Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
- You may review your saved application(s) at https://help.usajobs.gov/
If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at: Transjobs@dot.gov
Agency contact information
Submit Application and Documents Online
1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States
Next steps
You may check your application status by logging into USAJobs.com (Select "My USAJobs" and click "Applications". Within two weeks of the closing date, a Human Resources Specialist may evaluate your application. If evaluated, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager. If you are selected for an interview, the hiring agency will contact you directly. Once the position is filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.
Overview
- 0028 Environmental Protection Specialist
- Suitability/Fitness
Protection Specialist Jobs by Experience Level
See All 142+ Protection Specialist Jobs
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Find Protection Specialist JobsProtection Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Green Thumb Industries14
- Fred Meyer8
- The Home Depot8
- lululemon7
- Burlington Stores6
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Technology & Software
- Energy
- Retail
- Electronics & Hardware
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in protection specialist jobs.
- High school diploma or equivalent with a valid state security or guard license
- Prior experience in law enforcement, military, or private security
- Active CPR, first aid, and AED certification
- Demonstrated proficiency in threat assessment and incident reporting
- Firearms qualification or willingness to obtain required state certification
- Ability to pass a comprehensive background check and drug screening
Tips for Your Protection Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to clearance requirements
Many protection specialist postings specify security clearance levels or law enforcement backgrounds. Call out any active clearances, relevant certifications like CPR or first aid, and your firearms qualification status in a dedicated credentials section near the top.
Highlight your threat assessment experience
Employers distinguish candidates who've written formal threat assessments from those who've only responded to incidents. Describe a specific case where your assessment shaped a security plan, naming the tools or frameworks you used to evaluate risk.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists protection specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings that match your protection context
Corporate executive protection, healthcare security, and government protective details each expect different hard skills. Filter your search by sector and read the full job description before applying so your cover letter references the specific environment you'll be working in.
Prepare scenario-based interview answers in advance
Protection specialist interviews frequently involve situational prompts like 'walk me through how you'd handle a credible threat during a public event.' Practice structured responses that cover your assessment, your coordination with local law enforcement, and your post-incident documentation process.
Negotiate total compensation, not just base pay
Protection roles often include allowances for travel, equipment, or on-call requirements that vary widely by employer. Ask during offer discussions whether vehicle, communication gear, or overtime structures are included before comparing offers across different organizations.
Protection Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most protection specialists?
Green Thumb Industries, Fred Meyer, and The Home Depot are hiring the most protection specialists right now, with openings concentrated in California, New York, and Virginia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially high within corporate security programs and large healthcare systems that maintain dedicated protective services teams.
How many protection specialist jobs are remote?
About 68% of protection specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most security roles. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements are threat intelligence analysis, security program coordination, and risk consulting positions that do not require a physical on-site presence.
How do you become a protection specialist?
Start by earning a high school diploma and obtaining your state's required security guard or armed guard license, which typically involves a background check and state-approved training. Building experience in law enforcement, the military, or entry-level security roles strengthens your candidacy. Certifications in CPR, first aid, and defensive tactics, alongside coursework in threat assessment or emergency management, make candidates significantly more competitive for specialist-level positions.
Can you get hired as a protection specialist with little experience?
Yes, some employers hire protection specialists with limited direct experience if you hold a valid security license, clean background, and relevant certifications like CPR and first aid. Volunteering with community emergency response teams, completing a law enforcement ride-along program, or working as an unarmed security officer first are concrete ways to build a credential base that justifies entry-level protection specialist consideration.
What does the protection specialist interview process look like?
Most protection specialist interviews involve a phone screen, followed by an in-person or video interview with a security manager or HR representative. Expect a mix of behavioral questions about past incident handling and scenario-based prompts testing your situational judgment. Some employers add a physical fitness assessment, a written situational judgment test, or a background and reference check phase before extending an offer.
Where can I find and apply to protection specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to protection specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the available roles to find positions that match your experience level, location preference, and specialization, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 142+ Protection Specialist Jobs
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