Personnel Security Specialist
About This Position
See QUALIFICATIONS for important information about this position and conditions that apply. Coordinates and carries out special projects and studies covering many areas of SSA's personnel program. Performs works of analytical, technical and advisory nature in connection with the goals of the agency's personnel management program. See DUTIES for additional responsibilities of this position.
Qualifications
To qualify for this Personnel Security Specialist position, you must demonstrate: (1) at least 52 weeks of Specialized Experience OR (2) Optional Education (GS-09 and GS-11 only) OR (3) Combination of Specialized Experience and Optional Education (GS-09 and GS-11 only) Minimum Qualifications for GS-09: (1) Specialized Experience: At least 52 weeks providing administrative services related to Personnel Security and federal personnel vetting. This experience must have been gained in a federal position at or above GS-07 OR (for positions on another federal pay scale or experience outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level of responsibility and difficulty equivalent to GS-07. Work that demonstrates specialized experience includes: (1) applying analytical and problem-solving methods and techniques and (2) presenting findings or recommendations **If you have experience performing this type of work as it relates to Personnel Security, it must be clearly described in your resume, or it cannot be considered. (2) Optional Education: you must have a master's degree OR successful completion of at least 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent degree. (3) Combination: you must have a portion of Specialized Experience (i.e., less than 52 weeks performing qualifying duties) and a portion of qualifying Optional Education that can be combined to meet the full requirement.
SEE EDUCATION SECTION BELOW Minimum Qualifications for GS-11 (1) Specialized Experience: At least 52 weeks providing advisory services related to Personnel Security and federal personnel vetting. This experience must have been gained in a federal position at or above GS-09 OR (for positions on another federal pay scale or experience outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level of responsibility and difficulty equivalent to GS-09. Work that demonstrates specialized experience includes: (1) applying federal rules, regulations and procedures (2) assisting with gathering, maintaining and analyzing data in areas such as federal policies, procedures, systems, etc. (3) using automated systems for gathering data, preparing documents or reports; and (4) assisting senior staff and employees with personnel security issues, inquiries, problems and complaints . **If you have experience performing this type of work as it relates to Personnel Security, it must be clearly described in your resume, or it cannot be considered. (2) Optional Education: you must have a Ph.D.
OR
successful completion of at least 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D.
OR
equivalent doctoral degree. (3) Combination: you must have a portion of Specialized Experience (i.e., less than 52 weeks performing qualifying duties) and a portion of qualifying Optional Education that can be combined to meet the full requirement. SEE EDUCATION SECTION BELOW Minimum Qualifications for GS-12 Specialized Experience: you must have at least 52 weeks providing technical services related to Personnel Security and federal personnel vetting. This experience must have been gained in a federal position at or above GS-11 OR (for positions on another federal pay scale or experience outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level of responsibility and difficulty equivalent to GS-11.
Education cannot be used in lieu of or
in addition to Specialized Experience to meet Minimum Qualifications at this grade level. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Specialized Experience and/or Optional Education) must be met by the closing date of this announcement. If you have federal status and are applying for promotion, you must have at least 52 weeks at GS-07 (or other federal equivalent) for promotion to GS-09 GS-09 (or other federal equivalent) for promotion to GS-11 and GS-11 (or other federal equivalent) for promotion to GS-12 Time in grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Major Duties
At the full performance level, coordinates and carries out special projects and studies covering many areas of SSA's personnel security program.
Performs works of analytical, technical and advisory nature in connection with the goals of the agency's personnel security program.
Conducts special studies, projects or research work as assigned.
Participates in, and may lead, temporary self- managed work/project teams in Security and Resiliency, Personnel Security.
Coordinates and develops special reports involving difficult problems in personnel security areas and analysis programs and provides guidance as required to assure consistent approach.
Participates in a variety of studies, analyses and projects in personnel security related areas.
Prepares reports, replies to special correspondence and comments on matters relating to personnel security.
Briefs Personnel Security leadership members on any aspects of the work.
Education
Applicants without the full amount of Specialized Experience can meet Minimum Requirements for this position with Optional Education.
You must submit transcripts that fully support your claim or your education cannot be considered.
Your transcript(s) must show your name, the name of the school, the program in which you were enrolled and the degree conferred. If you have attended more than one college or university, submit transcripts for all schools attended. TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE LEGIBLE DO NOT SUBMIT A DIPLOMA IN LIEU OF A FULL TRANSCRIPT THAT SHOWS THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered to satisfy 1 year of full-time study. Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application.
CHECK YOUR UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT TO CONFIRM IT SHOWS THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail. Foreign Education: Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the education requirement, but you must also provide documentation 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 a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of your appointment.
How You Will Be Evaluated
(1) Eligibility will be based on your claim under the ELIGIBILITY Section at the beginning of the online questionnaire,
in addition to your responses to Assessment Question #1 (Federal Status) and Question #2 (Federal Performance Appraisal). Only applicants who meet and demonstrate eligibility requirements will be evaluated. (2) If rated 'eligible' you will receive a score based on your responses to the online experience questions. Preview questions here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12943986 (3) If you are among the highest-ranking applicants based on that score, your resume (and transcript, if applicable) will be reviewed by HR to determine if you demonstrate the required Specialized Experience (and/or education).
RESUME: Describe duties you perform that meet the Specialized Experience required for this position (see QUALIFICATIONS), as well as duties that demonstrate the following as they relate to the Specialized Experience. It must be evident that the duties you describe are at the required level for at least 52 weeks. Duties not clearly described cannot be credited. -- Skill interpreting and applying personnel security laws and regulations (GS-09 - possible 9 points; GS-11 - possible 12 points; GS-12 - possible 20 points) -- Skill in analyzing and evaluating data (GS-09 - possible 9 points; GS-11 - possible 12 points; GS-12 - possible 20 points) -- Ability to communicate orally and in writing (GS-09 - possible 9 points; GS-11 - possible 12 points; GS-12 - possible 20 points) Total Possible Points = (GS-09 - possible 27 points; GS-11 - possible 36 points; GS-12 - possible 60 points) It is not sufficient to make claims in the questionnaire that are not supported in your resume Information not specifically stated in your resume cannot be assumed.
Information copied or restated from the announcement or rating criteria will not be considered. If this occurs, you may be found ineligible. (4) The highest-ranked applicants who demonstrate the required Specialized Experience (and/or Optional Education) will be referred to the hiring manager following Priority Selection procedures and applicable documents will be forwarded for further review. (See Priority Selection below).
Your claimed knowledge, skills and abilities are subject to verification by the selecting official.
You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation or to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed experience. PRIORITY SELECTION: Well-Qualified ICTAP eligibles will receive the first consideration ONLY IF appropriate supporting documents are provided (see Career Transition Guide AND Required Documents). Well-qualified is defined as having knowledge, skills and abilities that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position.' Eligible veterans may apply under this Merit Promotion announcement, but preference points are not applied, and veterans do not receive priority consideration.
See Required Documents for information on how to support these claims.
Additional Information
WHO MAY APPLY: (1) ICTAP/CTAP (see Career Transition Guide) (2) Current Competitive Service / permanent OR conditional tenure (3) Former Competitive Service -- resigned or retired with (a) permanent tenure (separation at any time) (b) conditional tenure (separation within previous 3 years) OR (c) conditional tenure AND vet preference (separation at any time) (4) Current Excepted Service: (a) agency with competitive service compatibility (Foreign Service, US Postal Service, etc.) (b) agency with Interchange Agreement (c) Schedule A* -- block 5 of APPOINTMENT action shows Reg 213.3102(u) - must be in a competitive service agency, agency with competitive service compatibility or an agency with an Interchange Agreement (d) not described above but can demonstrate prior Competitive Service OR vet status (5) Former Excepted Service - must have prior Competitive Service (permanent or conditional tenure) OR vet status (6) Military Spouses -- see USAJOBS Help Center | Military Spouses (7) VEOA -- see USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans -- if you have non-qualifying Excepted Service and are an eligible veteran, you may use VEOA as your eligibility but still must provide documents demonstrating your Excepted Service status (e.g., current SF-50 / performance appraisal or separation SF-50). VEOA cannot be used to circumvent merit promotion requirements. VEOA applicants with federal status will be considered on federal status first and VEOA only if federal status cannot be used.
Eligibility must be fully documented to receive consideration. If you are a federal contractor, do not identify yourself as a federal employee. OTHER NOTES: See QUALIFICATIONS and EDUCATION for information on qualifying for this position.
See HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for information on applying for this position. This is a non-bargaining unit position to be filled under the provisions of the Management Officials Promotion Plan. The best-qualified list for this vacancy may be used to fill the same or similar positions in this office.
Additional selections may be made within 6 months of the date the best qualified list is issued.
This position is on a full-time, flex-time schedule and may be eligible for an Alternate Work Schedule (AWS). Telework may be approved after all conditions for telework have been met.
This position is not authorized to be filled virtually or through outstationing. The Official Duty Station (ODS) for this position is Woodlawn, Maryland. To participate in telework, you must reside within a 2-hour commute to this ODS by the time of your appointment.
Relocation expenses will not be paid; salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. Successful performance of work in this position and adherence to conditions of this position will be assessed during the 1-year probationary period served that may be served by new appointees (e.g., new to SSA and/or new to this series).
This position is a career ladder leading to GS-12. This is a critical-sensitive position.
You may be required to complete Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions, in order to have the appropriate investigation conducted. Position is assigned to: SSA Headquarters / Woodlawn, Maryland Security and Resiliency Personnel Security
How to Apply
(1) Click APPLY to create a USAJobs Account or log into your existing account. (2) Confirm that your USAJobs Biographic Information is correct. (3) Follow prompts to complete the questionnaire and upload required documents. (4) Click Submit My Answers at the end of the process. (5) "View/Print My Answers" to confirm you have answered every question as intended AND (6) print a copy of the announcement for your reference if you are called for an interview (optional). READ "NEXT STEPS" FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Applications must be received by 11:59 pm (EST) May 15, 2026, and must include: (1) responses to online questionnaire (2) uploaded resume (and transcript, if applicable) (3) uploaded eligibility documents (SF-50s, Performance Appraisal, DD-214, VA Letter, RIF Letter, marriage certificate, spouse's military orders, etc.) See QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIRED DOCUMENTS and HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED before you submit your application.
The questionnaire takes about 15 minutes. Answer all questions and follow instructions.
Your score will be based on your responses. Errors or omissions may affect your overall evaluation. We cannot accept documents submitted via email, fax or standard mail, but you may email inquiries about the position or How to Apply PRIOR TO the closing of the announcement.
Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities may use the listed email or 7-1-1 for TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services to call the listed phone number. Additional Telecommunications Relay Services options are available in each state: https://www.fcc.gov/general/trs-state-and-territories Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious or Fraudulent Statements -- Anything you claim in the occupational questionnaire or your resume is subject to verification. By submitting your application, you are certifying that any statements you make are true, complete and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief and are made in good faith.
Materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or representations are subject to disciplinary action. To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account.
Required Documents
Per OPM's new resume guidance, resumes are limited to 2 pages. Additional documents may be uploaded using the 'Other Documents' option. Resume - all applicants Transcript - to support Optional Education, if applicable SF-50 - all current and former federal employees - read requirements below Federal Performance Appraisal - all current and former federal employees (see below) Vet documents -- applicants without competitive status claiming VEOA-eligibility ICTAP documents -- if claimed Military Spouse documents -- if claimed If your federal pay scale is not GS or FWS, provide a copy of your agency's pay scale for pay equivalency determination and/or pay-setting upon a job offer.
DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY UPLOADED TO YOUR USAJOBS ACCOUNT MAY BE OUTDATED AND CAN CAUSE YOU TO LOSE CONSIDERATION.
RESUMES must include: -- your name and contact information -- employer name, full-time or part-time hours worked per week -- full start and stop dates (month/day/year) for each position -- your grade and pay scale (for all federal positions) and -- a clear descriptions of the duties performed that relate to the experience required for this position. If you no longer hold a position it must show an ending date. Since Specialized Experience has a time component, it must be evident that the duties you describe are at the required level for at least 52 weeks.
Do not simply list projects on which you worked or list experience in terms of accomplishments or achievements.
You must describe duties you perform that pertain to the requirements for this position. Information copied or restated from the vacancy announcement, rating criteria or KSAs will not be considered. If this occurs, you may be found ineligible.
See QUALIFICATIONS for information on what your resume must demonstrate. TRANSCRIPTS -- must be provided to support Optional Education -- see QUALIFICATIONS and EDUCATION for information on acceptable transcripts SF-50 -- required for all current and former federal employees. SF-50s are used to verify grade, time-in-grade, tenure and appointment type.
Review your SF-50(s) carefully to ensure you're demonstrating all the eligibility requirements for this position. In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required, especially to demonstrate time-in-grade. Former federal employees must submit their separation SF-50 to document grade, tenure and type of service, but may need to provide an additional SF-50 to document time-in-grade.
FEDERAL PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL-- Required for current federal employees (must be for a period that ended less than a year ago, must be completed and signed and must indicate a rating of satisfactory or better). FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: Your separation SF-50 must show that your separation was for other than performance or conduct. This is the only document you can submit 'in lieu" of a Performance Appraisal.
IN LIEU OF PERFORMNACE APPRAISAL (only under certain conditions) -- if your current federal agency does not provide formal performance appraisals, submit an equivalent document with an explanation for why you are not providing a standard federal appraisal.
Follow instructions in questionnaire. VETERANS DOCUMENTS -- for VEOA eligibility -- submit a DD-214 (Member 4) copy showing 3+ years of continuous active duty and honorable discharge. Veterans with federal status (current or former federal employees) must also submit the documents required for applicants with federal status, as noted above.
You cannot use veterans status to circumvent these requirements. For 10-point preference, also submit SF-15 and documents specified on the reverse. Current active-duty military claiming preference under Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act -- submit certification that you will be discharged under honorable conditions within 120 days of the certification date.
Your letter must be signed by or under direction of the appropriate personnel office, unit commander or higher headquarters. Certifications must be on official letterhead from appropriate military branch and must include dates of service, expected discharge date. type of discharge, character of service, rank, and date when terminal leave begins. Since service after Aug 31, 2010, is generally not qualifying for preference, include any qualifying campaign or expeditionary medals you received.
PRIORITY SELECTION (ICTAP) -- Submit separation notice AND SF-50 showing separation (See http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp) Preference will be granted based on the documents received. MILITARY SPOUSES -- see USAJOBS Help Center | Military Spouses -- submit marriage certificate and proof that your spouse is still an active-duty member of the military or is 100% disabled and unemployable.