Personnel Security Specialist

Summary This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Immediate Office of the Secretary, headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia. This announcement has an applicant limit of 50 and will close on the day that 50 applications have been received, at 11:59 PM. Responsibilities WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING DAY TO DAY As an Personnel Security Specialist , you will use your knowledge and experience to optimize business results and customer experience by: Reviews and verifies personnel security investigation and adjudication records in automated security systems to ensure compliance with federal personnel security requirements and accurate clearance determinations. Serves as the lead adjudicator for complex personnel security cases, evaluating investigative information and making suitability, fitness, and employment eligibility determinations for sensitive positions. Analyzes investigative reports and security documentation, conducts research, and develops recommendations regarding personnel security eligibility and risk-based determinations. Develops and implements personnel security policies and procedures, provides technical guidance to staff, and leads organizational initiatives to improve personnel security program effectiveness. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR Minimum Qualifications: You must have one year specialized experience to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service performing at least ALL of the following: Assessing and verifying background investigation and adjudication status using the Clearance Verification System (CVS) or comparable systems, ensuring accurate personnel security determinations. Leading the adjudication and analysis of complex personnel security cases, determining suitability and employment eligibility while resolving high-risk or sensitive issues in accordance with federal regulations. Conducting comprehensive reviews of security packets and investigative reports, analyzing facts, performing research, and providing authoritative recommendations on challenging eligibility determinations. Developing and implementing security policies, procedures, and guidance, while leading change management efforts and mentoring staff on complex personnel security matters. Documenting experience: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational application questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above. 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; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited. OPM Qualification General Policies Website Education Additional Information THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Bargaining Unit Position: NO Research position: NO Drug Screening Required: YES Veterans' Preference - Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP/ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an CTAP/ICTAP eligible see To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85.0 or above on the rating criteria for this position. Reemployment Priority List (RPL): To receive selection priority for this position, individuals on the RPL must meet the qualification requirements, complete all required assessments and be rated as qualified. RPL candidates are ranked using Category Rating procedures. Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. For Résumé Tips visit: For Application Tips visit: For additional information about USAJOBS visit the Help Center: For resume writing guidance, please visit the USAJobs Resource Center or view their video tutorial. For Most Effective Resumes Tips visit: USA Hire Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: