About this role
ATTENTION MILITARY AFFILIATED JOB SEEKERS - Our organization works with partner companies to source qualified talent for their open roles. The following position is available to Veterans, Transitioning Military, National Guard and Reserve Members, Military Spouses, Wounded Warriors, and their Caregivers . If you have the required skill set, education requirements, and experience, please click the submit button and follow the next steps. All positions are onsite, unless otherwise stated. Lead Personnel Security Specialist (Adjudicator) GS-0080-13 Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Office of the Chief Security Officer – Personnel Security Division Location: Arlington, VA Who May Apply: Veterans with a 30% or more service-connected disability rating Individuals eligible under Schedule A (5 CFR 213.3102(u)) Summary: CISA, the Nation’s risk advisor, is seeking a highly experienced Lead Personnel Security Specialist (Adjudicator) at the GS-13 level to serve as a technical authority and team lead within the Personnel Security Division. This position is responsible for independently adjudicating the most complex and sensitive personnel security cases, providing expert guidance and quality control for a team of adjudicators, and leading the implementation of key personnel security programs and process improvements across CISA. Major Duties: As a Lead Personnel Security Specialist (Adjudicator), you will: Serve as the senior technical authority and subject matter expert on personnel security adjudication for CISA, advising the Associate Deputy Chief, Supervisory Personnel Security Specialists, and other staff. Independently review and adjudicate complex background investigations for applicants, employees, contractors, and State, Local, Tribal, and Private Sector partners, making determinations on suitability, fitness, national security, security clearance, and SCI eligibility. Interpret and apply suitability factors and security adjudicative guidelines, including identifying and evaluating derogatory information, determining investigative requirements, and making final case decisions—including adverse actions. Lead, coach, and facilitate a team of adjudicators, providing quality control, reviewing casework, and ensuring consistent application of policies, procedures, and standards. Communicate assignments, milestones, and deadlines to team members; organize and balance workload; and ensure timely accomplishment of team goals and objectives. Identify training needs, provide feedback, and relay requests to supervisors to support staff development. Implement and oversee key personnel security programs, including continuous evaluation, quality assurance, industrial security, reinvestigations, and security awareness initiatives. Develop, recommend, and implement personnel security policies, requirements, and process improvements; serve as a resource for interpreting and adapting agency policy, executive orders, and regulatory guidance. Represent the organization in personnel security matters, providing authoritative advice to agency officials, testifying at formal hearings, and participating in high-level meetings and task forces. Prepare and review professional written correspondence, including interrogatories, case summaries, eligibility notifications, and notices of adverse actions, ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and procedural requirements. Review position descriptions and contracts to determine investigative requirements and ensure appropriate security protections for classified and sensitive work. Maintain liaison with internal and external investigative and adjudicative agencies (e.g., OPM, DHS, FBI, CIA, NSA), staying current on investigative procedures and security threats. Perform other duties as assigned.