Lead Personnel Security Specialist

Summary

This position is located in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security Security Infrastructure Directorate Office of Personnel Security and Suitability Investigations Division (DS/PSS/INV).

PSS is responsible for determining the initial and continued suitability and security clearance eligibility of Foreign Service Civil Service and Wage Grade employees or applicants Presidential Appointees and contractors.

For more information about this Bureau visit: DS

Duties

• Leads a team of Personnel Security Specialists tasked with the execution of a full range of personnel security investigative and adjudicative functions.
• Establishes plans objectives and priorities for the team to ensure the accomplishment of the assigned responsibilities.
• Advises on personnel security regulations to answer questions from team members on pertinent regulations policies and procedures.
• Establishes and maintains liaison with counterparts from other U.S. Government (USG) agencies on a wide variety of matters related to personnel security investigations and adjudication.
• Plans leads and conducts special studies and analyses of a variety of issues affecting Branch Division and Office programs and operations.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities visit: must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.

  NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

  Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions per 5CFR 300 Subpart F.

  Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience applying personnel security and suitability adjudicative techniques and practices in order to make final determinations in the security clearance process;
  • Experience formulating written case analyses outlining final recommendations for security clearance eligibility; AND
  • Experience reviewing and certifying referrals for adverse actions by ensuring they are fully supported by the background investigation and adjudicative analysis.

  There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position.

  Education

  Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

  Additional information

  • To request a reasonable accommodation foradditionaltime on thetimed sections of theassessment pleasesubmityour request using the Request a Reasonable Accommodation button within theAssessment Application.

    Forall otherreasonable accommodationsat the U.S. Department of State please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations(OAA)at .

    OAAis responsible forreviewing andadjudicatingreasonable accommodation(RA)requests for the Assessment Battery being usedfor this following applies to all RA requests:

    • RA requestscoveradditionaltime on timed sections only.

    • Applicantssubmittinga RA request MUST attach supporting medical documentation signed by a licensed treatingmedical provider. The documentation should describe the nature severity and expected duration of the conditionidentifythe relevant medical condition or diagnosis and explain the basis for the requested extension. RA requests that do notcontainsupporting medical documentation attachmentsatthetime ofinitialrequest may be subject to further review.

    • Note:the following documents do not on their own qualify for automatic approval oftheRA request:Schedule A letters VA benefits lettersorSSA letters.

    • Applicants MUSTsubmittheir application before the vacancy closes even if pending anaccommodationdecision.

    • Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow instructions related to medical documentation provided in the vacancy announcement prior to beginning the RA process.

    • Applicants will have 48 hours after their RA request isadjudicatedto complete the assessment generated after the allottedtimeframewill not be admissible and the applicant will not be considered further for the vacancy.

    • If a different type of RA is needed please contact OAA directly at .

  • If eligible situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days and may require a higher or lower security clearance. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.
  • Agency & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP & ICTAP):View OPMs CTAP & ICTAP eligibilitywebsite for more information. You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category and submit supporting documents under the required documents section of this announcement to receive selection priority be considered Well-Qualified applicants must: score an85 or above meet Minimum Qualifications and demonstrateproficiencyin some but notall major aspects of the position.

  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.

Required Experience:

IC