Personnel Security Specialist

Summary

This position is located in the Human Capital Management Office (HCMO), Personnel Security Office (PSO). The incumbent serves as a personnel security specialist and assists with the administration of the FTC's Personnel Security and Suitability Program. The work consists primarily of pre-screening, investigative, and adjudicative actions to determine the suitability, fitness, and security eligibility of individuals for entry on duty and retention in sensitive and non-sensitive positions.

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Duties

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If you are selected for the Personnel Security Specialist position you will perform the following duties:

• Reviews position sensitivity levels and works with Human Resources personnel, Bureau managers, CORS and staff to ensure that position sensitivity designations for existing and newly created positions are accurate, and that the positions themselves reflect accurate information;
• Formulates and recommends appropriate investigative requirements consistent with access and sensitivity needs;
• Provides security orientation briefings to new personnel;
• Conduct briefings/debriefings as required for individuals with security clearances;
• Coordinates the FTC's Personnel Security Program with the agency Information Security and Physical Security Programs;
• Creates and maintains written reports, spreadsheets, and other guidance materials on personnel security matters;
• Reviews investigation packages before submission to OPM, and acts as a liaison between FTC staff and the Investigation Service Provider on the status of background investigations;
• Evaluates completed investigative reports with minor to moderate issues to determine the adequacy and completeness of the investigation;
• Reviews, evaluates, and adjudicates reports of investigations with minor to moderate issues, reviews personnel files, and other material to determine an individual's suitability, fitness, or eligibility for a security clearance or to hold a sensitive position;
• Prepares written interrogatories to request additional information or to communicate the Statement of Reasons why employment cannot be offered, security clearances cannot be granted, or adverse action is being taken and considers the response;
• The work is performed in industrial and office settings and outdoor locations in the GPO Central Complex and adjacent areas provided by individuals;
• Prepares interrogatories to request explanation concerning discrepancies such as failure to list required information on investigative forms;
• Establishes relationships with external agencies and investigative entities to verify clearances or pass clearances for employees participating in external classified meetings;
• Reviews efforts by the Information and Technology Office to grant and terminate access to electronic information applications under established policies and procedures and reports findings to the Chief lnformation Security Officer;
• By such means as attendance at relevant seminars and training activities, maintains expert competence in matters related to personnel security; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
• This position is subject to a background investigation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
• The position may be subject to completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods are an extension of the hiring process.
• If selected for this position, the agency will evaluate your fitness and whether continuation of employment advances the public interest before extending your appointment beyond the one-year probationary period.
• You must meet time-in-grade requirement by the closing date of this vacancy.
• You must submit a copy of your performance appraisal with your application.
• This position is not in the bargaining unit.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Personnel Security Specialist at the GS-09 level, you must meet one of the following requirements:

You must have completed a completed a Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or have two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL.B. or J.D., if related.

OR

You must have at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: reviewing and processing requests for personnel security investigations; establishing policies and/or procedures for a personnel security program; creating and/or maintaining personnel security cases and/or rosters; and evaluating reports of investigations to recommend a final adjudicative determination.

OR

You must have a combination of post baccalaureate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

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.

Education

If you qualify on the basis of education in lieu of experience, you must submit a copy of your transcripts. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

Additional information

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) : To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 87 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.

For more information visit: ICTAP/CTAP

Non-competitive Appointment Authorities:

For more information on non-competitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:

- Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A

- Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans

- Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses

- Other Special Appointment Authorities

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.

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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.

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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.