Personnel Security Specialist

Summary

A successful candidate in this position will serve in the Office of Personnel and Facility Clearances and Classification, in either the Facility and Personnel Clearance Processing Division (NA-744) or Applicant and Reinvestigation Adjudication Division (NA-745), carrying out a variety of personnel security/ vetting assignments and applying knowledge to process and/ or render decisions regarding access authorizations, HSPD-12 credentialing, etc.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

As a Personnel Security Specialist , you will:

• Conduct personnel security/HSPD-12/vetting, and/or credentialing case reviews by analyzing investigative materials, security questionnaires, information reports, national databases, and related information to identify security concerns, assess risk factors, and determine appropriate next steps including, but not limited to supporting eligibility recommendations, access authorization processing, or credentialing determinations.
• Research, interpret, and apply federal security regulations, adjudicative guidelines, DOE Orders, and agency policies to support informed decision making, ensure consistent application of personnel security standards, and contribute to the execution of vetting program requirements including, but not limited to compliance, processing, or adjudicative functions.
• Prepare accurate and well-organized written products, including, but not limited to case summaries, eligibility recommendations, incident assessments, reports of findings, credentialing adjudication and documentation, or correspondence supporting personnel security determinations or processing actions.
• Coordinate with applicants, clearance holders and uncleared staff, federal staff, contractor personnel, and field office stakeholders to obtain required information, resolve issues, clarify program requirements, and support case completion including, but not limited to managing incomplete documentation or handling sensitive information exchanges.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• Subject to Random Drug Testing
• Must pass a pre-employment drug test.
• Favorable suitability determination required.
• Must be able to obtain/maintain a Q level Security Clearance.
• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
• Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity which will require that you provide two forms of identification.
• May be required to successfully complete a one (1) year probationary period. Employees serving on a probationary period may be terminated at any time during the probationary period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
• Please limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, you will be disqualified.

Probationary periods are required for new employees appointed to competitive service positions for the first time; or reinstated employees who return to Federal service after a break in service of 30-days or more and who have not completed a probationary period will need to complete the requirement.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for a NQ-02 (equivalent GS 9-12), a qualified candidate's online application and résumé must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA Demonstration Project pay band or GS grade level in the Federal service, i.e., NQ 01 or GS 07/08.

-OR-

You may substitute the successful completion of master's or equivalent graduate degree in a related field that provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position,

-OR-

2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related

-OR-

A combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience as described in the vacancy announcement. This is computed by determining the total qualifying specialized experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Only graduate education in excess of one full year may be used to qualify.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as:

Experience demonstrating practical knowledge of the principles, concepts, policies, practices, and methods of a federal personnel security, suitability, vetting, or credentialing program; and the ability to analyze facts, interpret regulations, and conduct research of established security policies, guidelines, or directives to support program execution.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience include, but are not limited to:

1. Reviewing, evaluating, or processing personnel security/HSPD-12 or vetting information, such as background investigations, security questionnaires (e.g., SF 86), information reports, national security databases or investigative files, to identify issues, assess risk factors, or support eligibility, access authorization, suitability, or credentialing determinations.

2. Preparing written summaries, case notes, recommendations, or reports of findings related to personnel security/HSPD-12 cases, credentialing actions, incident reviews, or program assessments to support further action or decision making.

3. Administering or executing federal identity credentialing programs, such as HSPD 12 or PIV, including processing applications, validating identity documents, reviewing adjudication or enrollment data, and supporting credentialing determinations.

4. Evaluating, processing, or administering Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) or facility clearance-related actions, or supporting Privacy Act (PA) or Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests within a personnel security or vetting program.

5. Researching, interpreting, or applying personnel security/HSPD-12 related regulations, adjudicative guidelines, DOE Orders, or federal policies to support case processing, workflow development, compliance reviews, or program execution, including providing federal oversight to support service contractors.

6. Supporting personnel security/HSPD-12 program operations through program analysis activities, such as developing or maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs), updating internal program websites or documentation, conducting workflow or process analysis, generating or reviewing program metrics or reports, or participating in quality assurance or program oversight reviews related to personnel vetting or credentialing functions.

To qualify for a NQ-02 (equivalent GS 9-12), a qualified candidate's online application and résumé must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA Demonstration Project pay band or GS grade level in the Federal service, i.e., NQ 01 or GS 07/08.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section. If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the definition of "well qualified" which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

FOR GS 9-11:

You may substitute the successful completion of master's or equivalent graduate degree in a related field that provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position,

-OR-

2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related

-OR-

A combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience as described in the vacancy announcement. This is computed by determining the total qualifying specialized experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Only graduate education in excess of one full year may be used to qualify.

EDUCATION: Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. A written evaluation of any foreign education must be provided with your application in response to this vacancy announcement or be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation will result in you being found unqualified for the position. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education, see the Department of Education website, and for a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, visit The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. **If you are selected, official transcripts will be required. ** FOREIGN EDUCATION : Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. A written evaluation of any foreign education must be provided with your application in response to this vacancy announcement or be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation will result in you being found unqualified for the position. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education, see the Department of Education website, and for a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, visit The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Please Note: If your foreign education has already been accepted by an accredited U.S. educational institution as part of a degree program with that institution, you do not need to provide an evaluation of foreign education but must submit a copy of the transcripts listing the degree from the U.S. accredited institution that accepted your foreign education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Additional information

• Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
• If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.
• More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
• All positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
• All males born after December 31,1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
• In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.

EEO Policy: Click HERE.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Click HERE.

Veterans Information: Click HERE.

Telework: Click HERE.

Selective Service Registration: Click HERE.

Information about the NNSA Demonstration project can be found by clicking HERE.

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.

Help

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.

Review our benefits

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.