Personnel Vetting (PV) Specialist

Come make your mark with Watermark!
FOUNDED BY USAF VETERANS in 2007, we are proud to be a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business.
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS specializing in security and risk management. We're intimately familiar with DOD security programs and mission requirements.
OUR CORE VALUES drive every action we take as a company. We strive to exhibit PERSPECTIVE, PASSION, COMMUNICATION, INTEGRITY AND ETHICS, and BALANCE in all we do.
COMPETITIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE to address our employees' physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being. This includes 100% employer- paid medical insurance, ample paid leave, a free employee assistance program, and a competitive 401k savings plan. At Watermark, our people come first!


Personnel Vetting (PV) Specialist
In this role you will be part of a federal agency team that provides personnel security program support for the vetting, investigation, and adjudication of individuals seeking access to federal employment, national security information, or sensitive positions.

In this role you will...

• Process personnel vetting documents in support of investigations, adjudications, and continuous vetting (CV) alerts in accordance with federal guidelines and agency policy.
• Weigh an individual's whole character and history to determine whether that person represents a risk to the federal service and national security, applying adjudicative guidelines across all relevant domains.
• Prepare comprehensive written reports on all pertinent issues, recommending and providing supporting rationale for granting, denying, or revoking eligibility in the appropriate domain (e.g., security, suitability, fitness, credentialing).
• Conduct in-depth analysis and evaluation of security files and source documents; evaluate information for authenticity and pertinence; identify potential risks arising from complex, incomplete, or ambiguous application data.
• Utilize personnel vetting systems including e-QIP/NBIS, DCSA CVS/PIPS, DISS, DHS ISMS, or similar agency platforms to process, track, and manage PV casework.
• Develop and maintain PV materials such as briefing slides, process guides, reports, and manuals using Microsoft Office applications, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and audience-appropriate presentation.
• Communicate regularly with individuals and organizations internally and externally, providing positive customer service while effectively articulating sensitive issues regarding applicants and subjects of investigation.
• Refer appropriate cases to government sponsors for final action and coordinate follow-up as required to support timely mission execution.

Experience Requirements:

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience providing personnel vetting support to a federal government department or agency, to include one or more of the following:
• Processing PV documents for investigations, adjudications, or CV alerts
• Providing adjudication support across national security, suitability, fitness, or credentialing domains
• Demonstrated proficiency with personnel vetting systems (e-QIP/NBIS, CVS/PIPS, DISS, ISMS, or equivalent).
• Intermediate or higher proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and DOD365.
• Excellent customer service, interpersonal, and written communication skills with the ability to handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills, including the ability to review complex or ambiguous data and produce clear, accurate written findings.

Education Requirements:

• Three (3) years of directly relevant PV experience

Certification Requirements:

• Contractor adjudicators must provide a certificate of adjudication training issued by a government department or agency. Accepted certifications include:
  • OPM Fundamentals for Suitability and Fitness Adjudicators
  • DoD Adjudicator Professional Certification
  • U.S. Coast Guard Security Center Fundamentals of National Security Adjudication
  • Comparable government-issued adjudication training certificates

Security Clearance Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Current Secret clearance eligibility required at time of onboarding

Desirable/Other Qualifications:

• Experience with the Defense Information System for Security (DISS) or DHS Integrated Security Management System (ISMS).
• Prior direct support to DoD, DHS, or intelligence community personnel security programs.
• Familiarity with adjudicative guidelines under Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD) 4 or equivalent policy frameworks.
• Background in counterintelligence awareness, insider threat programs, or federal human resources security.

*This position is contingent on contract award.*

The anticipated compensation range for this position is $60,000-130,000. Multiple considerations are taken into account when determining the final salary/hour rate, including but not limited to, Contract Wage Determination, education and certifications, relevant work experience, related skills and competencies, as well as Federal Government Contract Labor categories. Central to Watermark's employment philosophy is the wellbeing of our employees which is why we offer a robust benefits package and wellness program alongside of annual base compensation.)

Watermark is an equal opportunity employer. All terms and conditions of employment are established without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.