The Work

The Access Control Officer (ACO) is a highly skilled security professional responsible for protecting personnel, facilities, sensitive information, and controlled areas through a wide range of critical security operations.

This role entails managing and monitoring access to restricted areas, verifying credentials and personnel, preventing unauthorized activities, operating physical and electronic security systems, processing visitors, responding to security events, and maintaining detailed security documentation. The ACO must follow established Post Orders, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Government directives, security policies, and contractual obligations.

This position aligns with Cayuse’s core values of Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Adaptability, and Integrity by fostering technical solutions that meet customer needs, promoting teamwork, and prioritizing quality in deliverables.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and authenticate access for employees, contractors, visitors, guests, and other authorized personnel entering or exiting restricted areas.
• Verify identification, badges, credentials, and access authorization as required prior to permitting access.
• Prevent unauthorized personnel and prohibited items from entering or leaving controlled facilities.
• Maintain surveillance and situational awareness in assigned access control areas.
• Conduct inspections of personnel and items per Post Orders and security guidelines.
• Identify, document, report, and escalate suspicious activity, security violations, and anomalies using established protocols.
• Deliver professional customer service while ensuring strict adherence to security regulations.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders, including employees, visitors, Government officials, and security teams.
• Operate independently while maintaining communication and coordination with supervisors and support staff.
• Adapt to varying operational demands, responding efficiently to both high-volume and low-volume security environments.
• Screen, verify, and process visitors accessing controlled facilities.
• Confirm visitor authorization, sponsorship, clearance status, and identification.
• Issue badges and credentials, including temporary, visitor, and retention badges, in compliance with access requirements.
• Process and issue Common Access Cards (CACs) and guest decals as permitted by Government procedures.
• Conduct fingerprinting and capture credential photos as required, including ISOPREP and passport photographs.
• Resolve issues related to visitor access and escalate unresolved matters through proper channels.
• Maintain accurate visitor logs, access records, and operational statistics while safeguarding sensitive information.
• Perform security screening of personnel, visitors, packages, and other items in accordance with security protocols.
• Operate screening equipment such as X-ray systems, walk-through metal detectors, handheld detectors, and access control systems.
• Identify prohibited items and initiate actions based on established procedures.
• Ensure proper operation, maintenance, and accountability for all screening equipment used in security operations.
• Monitor and operate electronic and physical security systems, including access control systems, CCTV, intrusion detection, alarm monitoring, radios, and other integrated security platforms.
• Analyze and respond to security events, alarms, and incidents in real time.
• Coordinate personnel dispatch and manage communications during security responses.
• Escalate incidents through compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and emergency protocols.
• Maintain detailed incident reports, logs, and daily documentation while ensuring situational awareness across multiple security systems.
• Other duties as assigned.

Duties under the Visitor Control Specialist when assigned:

• Receive, verify, and process visitors and guests at Visitor Control Center (VCC).
• Issue retention, temporary, or visitor badges consistent with the individual’s approved clearance level.
• Issue guest decals for approved social or ceremonial functions.
• Produce and issue Common Access Cards (CACs) in accordance with Government requirements.
• Conduct fingerprinting in compliance with federal standards.
• Capture and produce credential photographs, including passport and ISOPREP photos.
• Conduct personnel and item inspections utilizing:
  • X-Ray screening systems
  • Walk-through metal detectors
  • Hand-held metal detection devices
  • Identify, escalate, and document prohibited items or security anomalies in accordance with established procedures.
  • Operate and maintain administrative control of Government-furnished equipment and systems, including but not limited to:
  • X-Ray machines
  • Metal detection systems
  • Credentialing and access control systems
• Ensure all equipment is used in accordance with training, Post Orders, and safety standards.
• Work collaboratively with Government staff (Access Control Office, Visitor Control, and other security offices) to:
  • Troubleshoot visitor and guest access issues
  • Resolve approval, issuance, or system discrepancies related to badges, CACs, and ISOPREP credentials
• Escalate issues through proper Government channels when required.
• Collect, maintain, and report visitor control statistics and operational data as directed by VC leadership.
• Accurately document all actions, incidents, and access transactions in approved Government systems.

Duties under the Security Operations Center Specialist when assigned:

• Monitor and operate security systems including access control, CCTV, intrusion detection, alarms, radios, and telephony systems.
• Receive, assess, document, and respond to security incidents in real time.
• Dispatch security personnel and coordinate emergency response when required.
• Maintain accurate incident logs, reports, and shift documentation.
• Perform badge verification, visitor access coordination, and credential checks as applicable.
• Communicate effectively with Government personnel, first responders, and internal stakeholders.
• Escalate incidents in accordance with SOPs, post orders, and contractual requirements.
• Maintain situational awareness across multiple facilities and systems simultaneously.
• Support continuity of operations during emergencies or elevated threat conditions.
• Adhere to all security, safety, and compliance requirements.

Qualifications – Here’s What You Need

• High school diploma or GED.
• Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Access control
  • Visitor management
  • Physical security
  • Security Operations Center (SOC)
  • Command Center operations
  • Dispatch functions
  • Watch Officer duties
  • Security monitoring operations
  • Credentialing processes
• Prior experience supporting secure environments or other high-security facilities.
• Proficiency in operating security systems, including access control, CCTV, intrusion detection, alarm monitoring, credentialing platforms, or other physical security technologies.
• Hands-on experience using X-ray screening equipment and walk-through or handheld metal detection systems.
• Familiarity with industry-standard security platforms, such as Lenel, CCure, Genetec, Honeywell, or comparable systems.
• Experience working with incident reporting databases and Government security systems.
• The incumbent in this position is required to complete the Tailored Adaptive Personality Assessment System (TAPAS) as part of the organization’s personnel assessment and placement process. The TAPAS assessment supports the evaluation of individual behavioral tendencies and work styles to ensure alignment with position requirements, mission objectives, and organizational values.
• Active Top Secret /SCI with Polygraph clearance is required.
• Due to the nature of work at the client’s facility, U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license in good standing at all times.
• Must be able to pass a background check. May require additional background checks as required by projects and/or clients at any time during employment.

Additional Qualifications for the Security Operations Center Specialist:

• Prior experience in visitor control, access control, security operations, or credentialing preferred.
• Experience in operating security screening equipment (X-Ray, metal detectors) preferred.
• Ability to follow detailed Post Orders and Government security procedures without deviation.

Additional Qualifications for the Security Operations Center Specialist:

• Minimum 1–3 years’ experience in:
  • Security Operations Center.
  • Command Center.
  • Dispatch / Watch Officer / Monitoring environment.
• Prior experience supporting DoD, IC, or Federal security operations
• Experience with:
  • Lenel / CCure / Genetec / Honeywell or similar systems.
  • Incident reporting databases.
• Military, law enforcement, or federal security background.
• Familiarity with Post Orders and Government security protocols.

Minimum Skills:

• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate in a clear, professional, and articulate manner.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to read, write, speak fluently in English.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with high-level attention to detail.
• Proven ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast past environment with changing priorities; adaptable to change and a quick learner.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work well independently as well as on a multi-functional team.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately
• Proficient in MS Office, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Our Commitment to you / overview of benefits

• SCA Health & Welfare fringe benefits.
• Telemedicine
• EAP
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with matching after one year
• Paid Time Off

Reports to: Site Lead

Working Conditions

• Professional secure facility environment, with the ability to work onsite.
• Must be physically and mentally able to perform duties extended periods of time.
• Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed to meet the demands of this position.
• Must be able to establish a productive and professional workspace.
• May be asked to work a flexible schedule which may include holidays.
• May be asked to travel for business or professional development purposes.
• May be asked to work hours outside of normal business hours.
• Capable of walking 3 to 5 miles per shift.
• Able to stand continuously for up to 60 minutes.
• Periodic climbing of ladders required.
• Frequent ascending and descending of stairs and ramps.
• Prolonged periods of standing.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. (22.5 kg) occasionally.
• Able to push or pull between 50 and 75 lbs. (22.5–34 kg) using assistive devices as needed.
• Standard visual acuity, including near, far, and peripheral vision (with corrective lenses, if applicable).
• Normal color vision required for electrical tasks.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Cayuse is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, skills, and abilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state, or local law.