# Security Specialist Course Canonical URL: ## Overview This comprehensive course is primarily designed for the individual who has been assigned security responsibilities and has little or no experience in the security field. A supervisor/manager responsible for the supervision of Security Specialists, but who is not a seasoned security professional, may also benefit. Additionally, a newly appointed contractor Facility Security Officer (FSO) will find this course valuable. Included in this course are a combination of instructor briefings, video presentations, group discussions, and practical exercises. Course content includes instruction on addressing the personnel security program, to include the application of the national security adjudicative guidelines, and other aspects of the program; insider threats; planning and addressing physical security; information security; conducting briefings, including travel for the clearance holder, initial and termination briefings, and others; cybersecurity; and more. Upon completion, the Security Specialist will be more informed and prepared to execute their security responsibilities as dictated by national regulations. The course will prepare the attendee to be familiar with the duties of the modern Security Specialist. ## What you'll learn - Understand the core responsibilities of a Security Specialist, even without prior experience in the field - Apply national security adjudicative guidelines and address key personnel security requirements - Recognize and respond to insider threats and implement proactive security measures - Plan and evaluate physical security and information security procedures - Conduct effective security briefings, including travel, initial, and termination sessions - Gain foundational knowledge of cybersecurity protocols relevant to federal security roles ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Introduction to Physical Security - Understanding the first layers of defense in protecting personnel, assets, and classified information. - Overview of physical and personnel security, including the role of HR, senior management, and security staff in the program. - Examining the supervisors' role in identifying threats and ensuring adherence to security measures. #### Module 2: Physical Security Site Planning - Creating a physical security site plan to safeguard personnel and assets against threats such as espionage, terrorism, and theft. - Exploring various security measures such as video monitoring, intrusion detection, and access control to enhance protection. - Planning security with crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) strategies and effective site assessments. #### Module 3: A Common-sense Approach to Physical Security - Implementing risk management strategies to prioritize vulnerabilities and mitigate potential threats effectively. - Assessing threats such as tailgating, hackers, and unauthorized access, and implementing appropriate countermeasures. - Training employees to recognize and respond to security threats, including safeguarding sensitive data and information. #### Module 4: Other Physical Threats - Understanding and preparing for bomb threats, workplace violence, and other physical threats to the security of personnel and facilities. - Developing and executing a bomb incident plan, including evacuation, search, and disposal procedures. - Identifying critical incident response teams (CIRT) and ensuring proper response to potential threats. #### Module 5: The Cyber Threat and the Criminal/Terrorism Connection - Understanding the intersection between cybersecurity threats and physical security, including the rise of cyber espionage and terrorism. - Exploring the threats posed by cybercriminals, including social engineering tactics like phishing, and the importance of cybersecurity in physical security. - Educating employees about risks related to mobile device security, password protection, and social media deception. ## Schedule - Sep 15, 2026 – Sep 18, 2026 — Live Online - Dec 14, 2026 – Dec 17, 2026 — Live Online ## Instructors ### Dan Kowalski — Instructor Dan Kowalski brings over three decades of HR expertise, primarily from his 33-year career with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA). As a line manager for 21 years in large medical centers in the NYC/NJ area, he gained hands-on experience in managing complex HR operations. He also served on the VHA Human Resources Management Group, providing consulting services to senior leadership and representing the VHA on national labor-management and employee survey initiatives. Notably, he was part of a national action research project addressing workplace stress and aggression, designing interventions to improve employee satisfaction and service delivery. Dan has extensive experience in designing and facilitating training programs for federal agencies, including the Defense Logistics Agency, Department of Energy, and Naval Sea Systems Command. His expertise spans strategic human capital management, workforce planning, internal HR consulting, and supervisory training. He has also developed and delivered courses on HR data utilization, recruiting via social media, and job analysis, using adult action learning principles to foster engagement and practical application. His work has taken him across the U.S. and internationally, providing HR consulting and training to organizations such as the Federal Railroad Administration, Forest Service, and USAID, as well as advising governments in Japan, Indonesia, and Micronesia. A published author and active member of the Academy of Management, Dan has presented at national and international conferences on organizational development and evidence-based management. He holds a B.A. from Canisius College and an M.A. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. With a career dedicated to advancing HR practices and leadership development, Dan continues to share his wealth of knowledge as an instructor and consultant. ### Judy Mintze — Instructor Judy Mintze is a retired Federal HR instructor with over 30 years of experience specializing in Federal Human Resource Processing and Personnel Actions (FPPA). She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and has dedicated her career to teaching federal HR professionals. Judy is known for creating engaging and inclusive learning environments where participants feel empowered to ask questions and apply federal laws, rules, and regulations to their work. Her expertise spans a wide range of HR topics, including recruitment, pay setting, and personnel action processing. During her tenure as an HR Specialist at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), Judy served as a Senior Human Resource Instructor, training newly hired HR staff on complex topics such as developing assessment materials, adjudicating veterans' preferences, and setting pay. She also developed course materials, lesson plans, and examinations, ensuring her students were well-equipped to navigate the complexities of federal HR processes. Judy’s passion for teaching extends beyond the classroom, as she has also conducted federal resume writing workshops and contributed to process improvement projects to streamline hiring practices. ### Natalya H. Bah — Instructor Natalya Bah has been a part-time instructor at the Graduate School USA for over fifteen years. Natalya teaches across multiple curricula, including Leadership and Management, Project Management, and Human Resources. She has created a curriculum for the school, including Change Management Workshops and project management courses. She has served as an action learning coach, instructor, and facilitator for government leadership programs in the Center for Leadership and Management. Natalya also provides self-assessments and dynamic team-building sessions on behalf of the Graduate School USA. Outside of Graduate School USA, Ms. Bah is a self-employed business owner providing executive coaching, training, and consulting services to the public and private sectors. She created the Define and Achieve Your Goals Process™ and is a certified Birkman Method© Consultant. She received her Master of Science degree in Project Management from George Washington University’s School of Business, where she served as a teaching assistant and received the Project Management Award. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). ### Richard Rodieck — Instructor Richard Rodieck is a seasoned human resources professional and instructor with over 50 years of experience in federal HR management, specializing in position classification, staffing, and organizational development. A retired federal employee, Richard has held leadership roles in agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, USDA, and the Department of Justice, where he managed classification programs, developed HR policies, and supervised large teams of HR specialists. Notably, he served as Chief of the Corporate Classification Team for the U.S. Forest Service, where he reviewed and certified over 2,600 Standard Position Descriptions (SPDs) and resolved complex classification issues. Richard’s expertise extends to developing training programs, authoring HR handbooks, and providing technical guidance to senior leadership. Since 1998, Richard has been an instructor at Graduate School USA, where he has authored and revised numerous HR textbooks and self-paced courses. His teaching portfolio includes a wide range of federal HR topics, with a focus on classification principles and practices. Richard’s dedication to excellence has earned him multiple Faculty Excellence Awards from Graduate School USA, including recognition as HRM Instructor of the Year. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Richard also holds advanced coursework in public administration from California State University, Sacramento. ### Victoria Cox — Instructor Dr. Victoria Cox is a seasoned professional with over 31 years of distinguished service in the federal government. She holds a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership and brings a wealth of expertise to her role as an instructor. Since joining Graduate School USA in 2023, Dr. Cox has been dedicated to teaching Human Resources courses, leveraging her extensive experience to guide and inspire the next generation of HR professionals. ### Adrianna Harden — Instructor Adrianna is a retired federal Human Resources (HR) Senior Leader who dedicated her civil service career serving America’s veterans. She retired after spending over 32 years in HR, working at Veteran Affairs Headquarters, Regional Office, and Field facilities. She passionately shares her wealth of HR knowledge to all who are interested. She loves learning and intentionally commits to learning “something new” every day. In addition to her extensive HR experience, she has a Master’s degree in Management Technology and HRM. She is certified as a Senior HR Professional with the Society of Human Resources Management organization. ### Sarah Gurwitz — Instructor Sarah Gurwitz brings over 30 years of expertise in Human Resource Management, currently serving as an HR consultant for both federal and private sector organizations. She is also an Adjunct Professor at NYU’s Wagner School of Public Administration, where she designs and teaches graduate-level courses in Human Resource Management for the MPA program. Sarah’s career includes more than two decades as the Director of Human Resource Management at a VA Medical Center in New York City, alongside 10 years as an HR Consultant to the office of the Under Secretary for the Veterans Health Administration. Her recent work spans HR training, the development and delivery of diverse Human Capital programs, HR program assessments, technical HR guidance, organizational evaluations, workforce planning, and policy development. She has collaborated with several federal agencies, including Homeland Security, the Defense Logistics Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Justice, as well as private-sector not-for-profit religious organizations. Sarah has also volunteered with the Peace Corps in South America and currently works as a tour guide specializing in New York's historic Lower East Side. Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and Education from SUNY Fredonia, Fredonia NY and a Master of Arts in Education from Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY. She has taken numerous continuing education classes in Human Resource Management, computer skill development, and leadership. ### Sineta Scott Robertson — Instructor With nearly four decades of distinguished service in federal Human Resources leadership, Sineta Scott Robertson is a seasoned executive and educator recognized for her expertise in Title 5 Human Resources, workforce planning, organizational design, and employee engagement. She has dedicated her career to advancing strategic human capital management across Cabinet-level agencies, serving as both a transformative leader and trusted advisor to senior executives and policymakers. Throughout her career, Sineta has held pivotal leadership roles at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of Housing & Urban Development, and Department of Agriculture, where she guided national HR policy, labor relations, workforce innovation, and program oversight. Notable achievements include leading the Department of Transportation’s efforts to become a “Telework Ready” agency, implementing its HR Accountability and Pathways Programs, and spearheading process improvements that significantly reduced error rates and enhanced performance management scores. Beyond government service, Sineta has extended her expertise to the classroom as an Adjunct Human Resources Instructor with Graduate School USA, where she equips HR professionals, supervisors, and executives with practical and technical knowledge in federal human resources systems, policies, and practices. In 2014, she founded Perspectives for Peace, LLC, a consulting and Christian coaching practice. Through this work, she partners with organizations to strengthen HR effectiveness and provides faith-based executive and life coaching, helping leaders align purpose, performance, and peace. Her career is marked by a commitment to people—helping agencies build high-performing, motivated workforces while guiding individuals to unlock their potential and live with clarity of purpose. Sineta holds a master’s in Christian counseling from Newburgh Theological Seminary (2024) and is a Doctoral Candidate in Christian Counseling (expected 2026). She also earned her Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Washington Baptist Theological Seminary. A respected professional, mentor, and faith-driven leader, Sineta Scott Robertson continues to merge her passion for organizational excellence with her calling to serve others through coaching, teaching, and ministry. ### DeShanta Hinton — Instructor DeShanta N. Hinton is a Human Resources Professional who has experience serving in various capacities across the HR industry. She has a proven track record of leading Staffing, Recruitment, and Classification teams. During her 35-year tenure as a federal government employee, she has worked in 5 different agencies where she became well-versed in the following HR areas: Recruitment & Staffing, Personnel Processing, eOPF administration & maintenance, Quality Assurance, Benefits & Compensation, and Employee & Labor Relations. DeShanta is enthusiastic about writing and mentoring. In 2018, she became a published author. Collaborating with other women of influence and information, this humbling experience provided DeShanta with a therapeutic process for healing, growing, maturing, and becoming a better version of herself. Through her heart’s work, in 2016, DeShanta began partnering with a few non-profit organizations across the Washington, DC metro area to formally mentor low-income Washingtonians. Leaning into her love for learning, DeShanta furthered her education by obtaining the following degrees: an Associate and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, as well as a Master of Science in Human Resources and a Master of Business Administration. Her passion for Human Resources ignited her journey to becoming an Instructor at the Graduate School, where she now facilitates Human Resources Management courses. She is a native Washingtonian and enjoys spending time with her family, spending time outdoors, and growing plants in her spare time. ### Caren Eirkson — Instructor Ms. Eirkson has over 32 years of experience in Federal Human Resources. She retired in June 2010 from the Department of Veterans Affairs. She began her Federal career as a GS-2 Mail Clerk for the Department of the Army in 1978. But in a short time, she was promoted to a GS-4 Teletypist with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and realized that human resources would be her calling. Ms. Eirkson was selected as a Personnel Intern with VA in 1981 and subsequently served as an HR Specialist in Staffing, Classification, and Employee Relations at the New Orleans and Coatesville VA Medical Centers. Ms. Eirkson furthered her career by holding management-level positions within VA Human Resources. She was the Chief Human Resources Officer for the National Cemetery Administration for 7 years. She also served as one of VA’s specialists for the Executive Resources Service managing performance for the Department’s SES, as technical expert on employee relations issues, and as the Assistant Personnel Officer at the Washington, DC VA Medical Center. Ms. Eirkson was appointed to the position of Director for VA’s Central Office Human Resources Service on October 1, 2006, and served in that capacity for 3.5 years. Prior to that, she held the position of VA’s Suitability and Adjudication Program Manager for 3 years. In this capacity, she managed the suitability and adjudication program in VA. She was also responsible for the implementation of e-QIP (Electronic Questionnaires for Investigative Processing) in VA and was a key member of the Personal Identification Verification (PIV) Project Team. She also provided assistance and guidance on all other Title 5 and Title 38 staffing issues. Ms. Eirkson was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Edinboro State University in Pennsylvania and has done graduate work at the University of New Orleans. She is a graduate of the Leadership VA Program, Class of 1998. Ms. Eirkson is now enjoying retirement and occupying her time consulting and training in Federal HR and primarily serving as an instructor for the Graduate School USA. She saves lots of time for other pleasures in life, such as family and friends, travel, scuba diving, reading, and good food and wine. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $1649