About this role
Job SummaryThe primary purpose of this Personnel Security Specialist responsible for determining employment suitability (fitness) and security clearance eligibility; and supports the personnel security program and assists others in all aspects of the work necessary to complete background investigations.
QualificationsIn addition to the minimum qualifications described above, you must meet the following requirement(s) to be considered qualified for the position: To qualify for the SV-I Band Pay Band (equivalent to GS-13), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-H Band or GS-12 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience providing guidance on personnel security policies including evaluating and adjudicating various levels of background investigations and rendering suitability/fitness and clearance eligibility decisions in accordance with federal policies; and Experience utilizing Office of Personnel Management (OPM) systems. Providing technical guidance on all personnel security issues to include request to grant, deny, revoke, suspend, or restrict security eligibility; Performing a wide variety of security administration functions (i.e. managing security database; preparing and maintaining security and incident reports; updating and maintaining security-related process guides and training materials). Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Major DutiesThis Personnel Security Specialist position is located in the Personnel Security Section (PSS), Chief Security Office (CSO), Security and Operations Management (SOM), Law Enforcement (LE), Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to: Prepares clear, concise policies, regulations, notices and briefings for all levels of the Division. Writes letters of interrogatories, case summaries, eligibility notifications, and notices of adverse actions. Provides guidance and training to lower level staff; ensure compliance with established standards; manages individual caseload and various projects with minimal supervisory guidance; ensures metrics and timelines are satisfied across the unit; identifies training deficiencies. May represent TSA to communicate policies and procedures. Support the personnel security program, objectives and initiatives associated with all aspects of background investigations. Reviews security forms to identify the presence or absence of derogatory information, evaluates the impact of various kinds of derogatory information and makes decisions on the granting, denying, or revoking of security clearances, removals and unsuitability for employment; provides second-level review and concurrence of junior Personnel Security Specialists' recommendations Reviews requests for personnel or facility security clearances to assure that all required information is provided, evaluating appropriate sensitivity designation, requesting missing information from the originators, and granting clearances when derogatory information is absent or mitigated. Adjudicates complex background and reports of investigations; interprets and applies suitability factors and adjudicative guidelines and makes discretionary recommendations effecting final suitability and security clearance eligibility.RequirementsYou must possess U.S. Citizenship. You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI). Selective Service registration is required. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance. Subject to Pre-employment and subsequent random drug testing. If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for TSA to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.