Personnel Security Specialist

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING DAY TO DAY As a Personnel Security Specialist, you will use your knowledge of and experience with the Office of National Security (ONS) to optimize business results and customer experience by: Reviewing and analyzing personnel security information using electronic security databases and systems to determine background investigation status and adjudicative outcomes, and resolving discrepancies by assessing data from security applications and investigative reports. Assisting in analyzing and determining acceptance of reciprocity investigations in accordance with applicable regulations and established standards, and interpreting and applying personnel security policy to routine reciprocity and suitability determinations. Assisting in conducting security interviews and obtaining additional information to clarify derogatory, conflicting, or incomplete investigative data, and communicating orally and in writing with applicants and stakeholders to resolve investigative processing issues. Creating and directing requests for background investigations by preparing, submitting, and tracking electronic investigative applications, and coordinating with investigative agencies to ensure timely processing and documentation completion. Reviewing personnel security packets for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with security guidelines, and analyzing the totality of information to make recommendations regarding basic employment eligibility and access.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov. Note: Applications can be accepted from students who expect to complete qualifying education within 9 months from the date of application. Education was completed successfully before the applicant can be appointed.

After the application period closes, we will review your resume and supporting documents and compare them to your responses to the application questionnaire to determine whether you meet the qualifications for this position. If it is determined that you have overstated or misrepresented your qualifications or experience, you may be removed from consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully, as errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this announcement. Evaluation will be based on your application materials (such as your resume and supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and the results of all required assessments. Resume Requirement: Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages in length. Minimum Qualification Question: As part of the application process, you must answer a minimum qualification question addressing whether you meet the Specialized Experience required for this position, as described in this announcement. Applicants who respond "No" to the minimum qualification question will be screened out and will not receive further consideration. Your response must be supported by the experience documented in your resume. If your resume does not demonstrate the required Specialized Experience, you may be found not qualified. Assessment Process SME Resume Review Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine whether you meet the required Specialized Experience. SME Structured Interview If you pass the resume review, you may be invited to participate in a structured interview with one or more SMEs to further assess the required competencies. Applicants who successfully pass both the resume review and the structured interview and are ranked among the best qualified will be referred to the Hiring Manager for consideration. You must complete all required steps in the process, including submitting an application and resume and participating in the structured interview, to be considered for this position. Category Rating We will use category rating procedures to evaluate and rank qualified applicants based on how closely their experience matches the required competencies: Best Qualified: Experience closely matches the position requirements Well Qualified: Experience is very similar to the position requirements Qualified: Meets the minimum qualification requirements Only applicants in the highest category will be referred to the hiring agency. Veterans' preference does not add points but places eligible veterans ahead of non-preference applicants within each category. Preference-eligible veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more will be placed in the highest category, except for certain GS-9 or higher scientific or professional positions. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Decision Making Information Management Interpersonal Skills Planning and Evaluating policy analysis Policy Analysis To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12875765

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine. Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon multiple factors, including funds availability. If authorized, certain incentives may require you to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a period of up to 3 years. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Incentives may include the following: moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentive; student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc. Bargaining Unit Position: NO Research position: NO Drug Screening Required: YES Applicants selected for this position will be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring. Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans - https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/ Special Hiring Authorities for Military Spouses - https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/military-spouses/ People With Disabilities (Schedule A) - https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Individuals_with_Disabilities Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP/ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an CTAP/ICTAP eligible see http://opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85.0 or above on the rating criteria for this position. Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. Resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length. Application requirements are clearly stated in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Failure to submit a resume and any other required documentation identified in this announcement will result in removal from further consideration. *To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. *Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. *It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account at https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link, and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account at https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/16/2026.

Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. You must provide a complete online Application Package which includes: Your Resume: Resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length. Application requirements are clearly stated in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Failure to submit a resume and any other required documentation identified in this announcement will result in removal from further consideration. You are encouraged to use the USAJobs online resume builder to ensure that all required information is in your resume. Your resume must clearly articulate how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the qualifications section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the application questionnaire. For each position you must describe your duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities. Your resume must also include the day, month, and year that you began and ended for each position held. Full-time employment will be assumed unless otherwise stated on your resume. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Not providing this information may result in the lowering of your assessment score or an ineligible rating. For resume writing guidance, please visit the USAJobs Resource Center or view their video tutorial. For Most Effective Resumes Tips visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Most_Effective_Resumes. A complete Application Questionnaire (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12875765) SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) - documentation supporting eligibility. If submitting a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), or equivalent, submit one that shows the effective date of your current position, the full performance level, career or career conditional tenure and status in the competitive service. Other required supporting documents. Other Supporting Documents: (Only Submit if applicable to you.) College transcripts (if qualifying all or in part based on your education) Veterans' Preference documentation: Discharged Veterans: If you are claiming 5 point preference, you must submit a copy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the armed forces that supports dates of service and discharge status; if claiming 10 point preference, an application for 10-Point Veterans Preference (SF-15) and an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference. Active Duty Members: Under the VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, if claiming 5 point preference, submit written documentation from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package. CTAP/ICTAP Documentation A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement; A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.; A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential. PHS Commissioned Corps Personnel: You must provide a copy of your current personnel orders and/or other supporting documentation to be referred as CC. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) documentation, if applicable. For more information, please go to https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/ Documentation supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment, (severely disabled, eligible veterans, certain military spouses, etc.) For Résumé Tips visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk For Application Tips visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqYkibnuiJU For additional information about USAJOBS visit the Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/ You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.