APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 200 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 200th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first.  

We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application.

As a Personnel Security Specialist, GS-0080-09/11, you will be responsible for:

• Ensuring timely and accurate input of case data into all appropriate databases reflecting current status of actions involving public trust and national security positions.
• Ensuring requested investigations will meet the individual's Position Designation and all appropriate documentation has been provided before releasing to National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB).
• Responding to problems or questions regarding the personnel security program, and reviewing appropriate e-QIP forms and Request for Personnel Security Services packages submitted for processing.
• Reviewing security forms to identify the presence or absence of derogatory information, evaluating the impact of various kinds of derogatory information on the granting, denying, or revoking of security clearances and federal employment eligibility.
• Making Entry On Duty determinations for Department of Education employees, detailees, appointees and contractor information.
• Rejecting requests for investigations and return documents to the requesters when the information provided is inadequate for case processing.
• Analyzing reports of investigation, provide a written outline of the issues and any mitigating factors affecting the issues, and provide recommendations for appropriate action.
• Preparing correspondence to subjects of investigation identifying the reason(s) for any unfavorable personnel security or suitability action, provide to supervisor or senior adjudicator for review, and finalize for supervisor's signature. Reviewing rebuttals and make recommendations for final decision.

Conditions of employment

• Relocation will not be paid.
• Must be a US Citizen
• Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service.
• You may be subject to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Must Complete a Background Investigation and Fingerprint check.
• This position is subject to drug testing.

Condition of Employment:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary period or trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: • your performance and conduct; • the needs and interests of the agency; • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

If you are a current federal employee, you must meet all time-in-grade and time-after competitive appointment qualifications within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. To verify that you meet these requirements, we will review your responses to the core eligibility questions on the occupational questionnaire, as well as your submitted resume and required documents. To make an accurate determination, you will need to include on your resume your federal position title, pay plan, occupational series, grade level, agency, dates for which you held the grade level (stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, OR MM/YYYY to PRESENT), and total hours worked per week. 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).

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements
You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-09/11, if you possess the specialize experience, education, or a combination of the two.

Specialized Experience for the GS-09
One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-07 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:
1.  Experience using personnel security databases and investigative processing systems to input, review, and maintain case data; verify completeness and accuracy of investigative packages; and ensure compliance with personnel security laws, regulations, policies, and procedures through intake and adjudicative processes. 
2.  Experience reviewing and evaluating personnel security and suitability information, including background investigations, criminal history, fingerprint results, and arrest and disposition data in order to identify issues, assess risk, applying mitigating factors, and making or supporting determinations affecting national security eligibility or federal employment suitability.
3.  Experience preparing concise, well supported written analyses and official correspondence related to personnel security actions, including case summaries, letters of interrogatory, eligibility notifications, adverse action notices, and responses to inquiries or appeals, in coordination with supervisory or senior-level review.

Specialized Experience for the GS-11
One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-09 performing two (2) out of  three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:
1.    Experience analyzing personnel security and suitability cases involving multiple issues, i.e., unfavorable determination, investigations, or providing a written recommendation.
2.    Experience preparing written correspondence of investigations identifying the reason(s) of unfavorable personnel security or suitability, in accordance with applicable Executive Orders, the Privacy Act, and other guidance and legislation concerning national security information. 
3.    Experience applying analytical techniques in order to apply the technical requirements of the security programs to a variety of security related problems and issues.

OR

EDUCATION (see EDUCATION SECTION of the vacancy announcement)

OR

A combination of both education and experience in which the total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

1.    Skill in using computers and computer applications effectively to analyze and communicate personnel security related information in the appropriate format.
2.    Ability to use analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to complete reports, accomplish projects, and evaluate results for the management and completion of programs.
3.    Knowledge of personnel security processes and of personnel investigations processing systems necessary to perform background investigations.
4.    Knowledge of a wide range of security specialties, concepts, principles, criteria, requirements, technology, and practices.