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How much do counterintelligence agent jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for counterintelligence agent in California is $15.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $17.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Counterintelligence Agents?

Counterintelligence Agents are professionals responsible for identifying, investigating, and preventing threats posed by foreign intelligence services or insider threats to national security. They work to detect espionage, sabotage, and other activities that could compromise sensitive information or operations. These agents conduct interviews, analyze intelligence data, monitor suspicious activities, and collaborate with other security agencies to safeguard classified information and protect national interests.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Counterintelligence Agent, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Counterintelligence Agent, you need a background in criminal justice or security studies, strong analytical abilities, and often a security clearance. Familiarity with surveillance technologies, data analysis software, and intelligence-gathering systems is typically required, along with specialized counterintelligence training or certification. Exceptional interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and discretion are essential for building trust, assessing threats, and handling sensitive information. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively identifying, preventing, and neutralizing threats to national security.

What is the difference between Counterintelligence Agent vs Security Specialist?

AspectCounterintelligence AgentSecurity Specialist
Required CredentialsClearance, background check, sometimes specialized trainingSecurity certifications, background check, training in security protocols
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, intelligence operations, fieldworkCorporate, government, or private security settings
Employer & IndustryIntelligence agencies, defense, national securityPrivate companies, government agencies, security firms
Common Search & ComparisonCounterintelligence Agent vs Security Specialist

While both roles focus on security, Counterintelligence Agents primarily work in intelligence and national security to detect and prevent espionage, often requiring security clearances. Security Specialists typically focus on protecting physical assets and personnel within various environments. The roles overlap in security protocols but differ in scope and operational context.

What are some common challenges faced by Counterintelligence Agents in their daily work?

Counterintelligence Agents often face the challenge of distinguishing between genuine threats and harmless activities, requiring strong analytical and decision-making skills. They must remain vigilant when handling sensitive information and collaborate closely with other security and intelligence professionals, often under time pressure and in high-stakes situations. Adapting quickly to evolving threats and maintaining strict confidentiality are essential for success in this dynamic and demanding role.
What are popular job titles related to Counterintelligence Agent jobs in California? For Counterintelligence Agent jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Counterintelligence Agent jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Counterintelligence Agent jobs in California are:
Counterintelligence Agent jobs near you
Infographic showing various Counterintelligence Agent job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,042 per year, or $15.9 per hour.

Senior Personnel Security Specialist - AFSO Development Track

Koam Engineering Systems

San Diego, CA

$85K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Koam Engineering Systems, Inc. (KES Inc.) is an employee-owned small business specializing in technology innovation and systems integration by combining innovative products and reliable engineering services. Headquartered in San Diego, California and with offices in Gig Harbor, WA KES provides services globally in systems engineering amp; technical assistance, requirements analysis, software design amp; development, systems integration amp; testing, independent verification amp; validation, and operational amp; logistic support.
JOB PURPOSE
The Senior Personnel Security Specialist serves as KES's primary subject-matter expert for personnel security (PERSEC) and independently administers the company's day-to-day personnel security program for corporate, division, remote, and customer-site personnel. The position manages national security eligibility, access, background investigation, reporting, briefing, visit, credentialing, and related recordkeeping requirements in support of KES operations under the National Industrial Security Program (NISP).
This position requires exceptional discretion, accuracy, professional judgment, ownership, and follow-through. The selected individual will routinely represent KES when coordinating with employees, applicants, management, government customers, government security officers, and the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). The individual must be able to interpret and apply applicable personnel security requirements, including 32 CFR Part 117, Security Executive Agent Directives (SEADs), DCSA guidance, and customer-specific requirements, rather than relying solely on procedural checklists.
The position is initially focused on expert-level PERSEC performance and is not expected to assume the full scope of Assistant Facility Security Officer (AFSO) responsibilities upon hire. After demonstrating sustained PERSEC proficiency, sound judgment, reliability, initiative, and the ability to understand how security supports KES business operations, the employee may be selected for structured development and appointment as an AFSO. Advancement is based on demonstrated capability, successful completion of assigned development objectives, and business need; it is not automatic or guaranteed.
JOB RESPONSIBILITY SUMMARY
Under minimal supervision and in compliance with the NISP and applicable KES requirements, the Senior Personnel Security Specialist will:
  • Independently manage personnel security actions for applicants, employees, consultants, and terminating personnel from pre-employment screening through final out-processing.
  • Initiate, review, validate, and monitor national security background investigation and reinvestigation submissions through the National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) and NBIS eApp, ensuring packages are complete, accurate, timely, and suitable for submission.
  • Maintain accurate personnel security and access records in the Defense Information System for Security (DISS) and applicable internal security management systems.
  • Review clearance eligibility, access, investigation, and continuous vetting information; identify discrepancies or concerns; research requirements; and recommend appropriate action to the Corporate FSO.
  • Receive, evaluate, document, and process employee self-reports and potential personnel security incidents in accordance with SEAD 3, 32 CFR Part 117, DCSA guidance, contractual requirements, and KES procedures.
  • Prepare clear, accurate, and timely initial, follow-up, and final reports for review and submission to the appropriate government authority.
  • Provide knowledgeable guidance to employees and management regarding reporting obligations, eligibility and access requirements, foreign travel, foreign contacts, adverse information, and other personnel security matters.
  • Coordinate with Recruiting and Human Resources to evaluate clearance, investigation, citizenship, access, and position-of-trust requirements for candidates and employees while protecting sensitive personal information.
  • Guide individuals through completion of government questionnaires, releases, and supporting documentation; conduct detailed quality reviews to minimize rejections, delays, and avoidable follow-up.
  • Process electronic fingerprints through the Secure Web Fingerprint Transmission (SWFT) system and coordinate resolution of rejected or incomplete submissions.
  • Process incoming and outgoing classified visit requests, verify eligibility and access, maintain visit records, and coordinate directly with government and contractor security offices.
  • Coordinate government and customer credentialing actions, including Common Access Card (CAC), Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS), installation, shipyard, and customer-specific badges and access credentials.
  • Conduct initial security briefings, nondisclosure agreement execution, foreign travel briefings, program-specific briefings, termination debriefings, and the security portion of new-hire orientation.
  • Administer and track annual security refresher and other required security training, maintain user-level completion evidence, and proactively follow up to ensure deadlines are met.
  • Perform complete security out-processing for departing personnel, including access removal, DISS actions, visit cancellation, credential return or revocation, debriefings, records closure, and coordination with Human Resources, Information Technology, Facilities, and customer security offices.
  • Provide corporate visitor control support, including identity verification, clearance and visit validation, escort coordination, and compliance with facility access requirements.
  • Maintain complete, accurate, inspection-ready personnel security files, logs, metrics, training records, and supporting evidence in accordance with retention and privacy requirements.
  • Monitor changes to government systems, policies, and processing requirements; recommend practical updates to KES procedures, templates, communications, and workflows.
  • Research and resolve complex or unusual PERSEC matters, communicate status to affected stakeholders, and retain ownership until each action is completed or formally transferred.
  • Provide responsive, professional support to employees, management, program teams, customers, and government security representatives while safeguarding classified information, Controlled Unclassified Information, and personally identifiable information.
  • Support security self-inspections, DCSA assessments, internal audits, and corrective actions by producing accurate records and demonstrating effective personnel security processes.
  • Perform other security-related duties as assigned in support of KES operational and contractual requirements.
AFSO DEVELOPMENT TRACK
Following successful demonstration of expert-level PERSEC performance, the employee may be assigned progressively complex developmental responsibilities under the direction and mentorship of the Corporate FSO. Development may include:
  • Reviewing solicitations, requests for proposal, performance work statements, statements of work, task orders, contracts, and subcontracts to identify security requirements, risks, assumptions, and required actions.
  • Learning to interpret, prepare, review, and administer DD Form 254 Contract Security Classification Specifications and related security classification guidance.
  • Supporting proposal, capture, and business-development activities by identifying security requirements, developing compliant security responses, and evaluating the operational impact of proposed work.
  • Understanding prime and subcontractor security responsibilities, flow-down requirements, facility clearance considerations, safeguarding limitations, and coordination with government contracting and security officials.
  • Participating in security self-inspections, DCSA assessments, corrective-action planning, policy development, and broader industrial security program administration.
  • Developing knowledge of classified information safeguarding, classified visits, facility security, information system and cybersecurity interfaces, insider threat, and other disciplines necessary to support the FSO.
  • Assuming delegated AFSO duties only after demonstrating the knowledge, judgment, dependability, and business awareness necessary to perform those duties effectively.
Completion of developmental assignments does not guarantee appointment or promotion to AFSO. Any appointment will be based on demonstrated readiness, management approval, and KES business requirements.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, amp; ABILITIES
(To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and ability required.)
Education/
Licensure/
Credentials
Required:
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Current U.S. Government DoD personnel security eligibility at the final Secret level
or higher. Individuals must maintain the required eligibility for continued employment.
• Commitment to continuing professional development and completion of assigned
security training.
Preferred:
• Completion of CDSE FSO Orientation for Non-Possessing Facilities
• Completion of CDSE FSO Program Management for Possessing Facilities
Experience
Required:
• Minimum of Five plus years of recent, progressively responsible, hands-on personnel
security experience supporting a cleared contractor, government organization, or
comparable National Industrial Security Program environment.
• Demonstrated experience independently processing and managing national security
background investigations, eligibility and access actions, continuous vetting matters,
reportable information, briefings, debriefings, visits, and personnel security records.
• Advanced working knowledge of DISS, NBIS eApp, SWFT, and related government
personnel security processes.
• Experience coordinating government and customer credentialing, such as CAC, DBIDS, installation, shipyard, or customer-specific access badges.
• Demonstrated ability to research requirements, analyze complex or unusual PERSEC issues, make
sound recommendations and carry actions through completion with limited supervision.
• Experience protecting and handling sensitive personal information and communicating professionally with employees, management, customers, and government representatives.
• Excellent organization, documentation, record-management, oral communication, and
business writing skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications and electronic records or security management systems.
Preferred:
• Experience supporting multiple facilities, divisions, programs, remote employees, or geographically dispersed personnel.
• Experience supporting DCSA assessments, security reviews, audits, or self-inspections.
• Experience with commercial security information management systems.
Special
Knowledge/
Skills
Required:
• Thorough working knowledge of personnel security requirements under
32 CFR Part 117, applicable SEADs, DCSA guidance, and related government and contractual requirements.
• Ability to explain the purpose and operational impact of security requirements, not merely complete transactional processing steps.
• Strong judgment, initiative, accountability, attention to detail, customer service, and ability to manage competing priorities and time-sensitive actions.
• Ability to recognize issues outside established procedures, conduct appropriate research, escalate significant concerns, and recommend practical solutions.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling classified information, Controlled Unclassified Information, and personally identifiable information.
Preferred:
• Foundational knowledge of DD Form 254s, contracts, subcontracts, PWS/SOW requirements, security flow-downs, proposals, and requests for proposals.
• Experience supporting proposal development, capture activities, business development, contract
start-up, or program transitions.
• Knowledge of broader industrial security disciplines and the relationship between security, contracts, operations, information technology, Human Resources, and program management.
• Active participation in NCMS or another recognized security professional organization.
WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION
This is a full-time position based at KES's corporate office in San Diego, California. KES operates on a 9/80 work schedule, providing employees with every other Friday off.
Following successful onboarding and demonstrated ability to independently perform the position's responsibilities, this role may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement consisting of both in-office and remote work. The frequency and schedule of remote work will be determined by the Corporate FSO based on training requirements, performance, operational needs, security responsibilities, and the nature of assigned work. The employee must be available to work onsite whenever required.
Since 1995, KES continues to foster the entrepreneurial spirit of a growing small business that focuses on the needs of its customers and employees and serves to provide a rewarding and challenging career. KES offers a competitive salary and full range of benefits. KES, Inc. is an EEO/AA Employer committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce.

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