About This Position
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information. The primary purpose of this position is to provide a Security Specialist/Polygraph Examiner to perform operational counterintelligence (Cl), counterespionage (CE) and/or personnel security polygraph examinations for an AFOSI Region. ***Salary ranges includes local market supplements***
Qualifications
This is a GG-13 position in the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). The GG-13 duties for the "Professional" work category are at the "Full Performance" work level and are equivalent to those at the GS-13 level. The selectee's salary will be set within the grade equivalent to a GS/GG grade based on the selectee's qualifications in relation to the job. To qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements describes in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions. EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must reflect the quality level of experience which demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance required for this position. Examples of creditable experience include: knowledge of a wide range of concepts, principles, and practices in a professional or administrative occupation, such as would be gained through extended graduate study or experience and skill in applying this knowledge to difficult and complex work assignments; or a comprehensive, intensive, practical knowledge of a technical field and skill in applying this knowledge to the development of new methods, approaches, or procedures. Note: Creditable experience may include previous military experience, experience gained in the private sector, or experience gained in another government agency. AND KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Certified as a DoD Polygraph Examiner with subject matter expertise in the areas of counterintelligence investigative methods, interrogation techniques, digital polygraph instrumentation, governing policies and procedures concerning the use of polygraph, courtroom testimony, polygraph testing techniques/formats, test question construction, test data analysis, report writing, polygraph countermeasures, and the use of interpreters. 2. Knowledge of the rules of evidence, criminal procedure, court decisions concerning the admissibility of evidence, constitutional rights, search and seizure, apprehension, and related investigative and law enforcement matters as related to espionage operations, national security matters, criminal investigations, and polygraph examinations. 3. Broad knowledge of personnel, industrial and information security concepts, principles and practices to effectively design and administer tests and test questions. Knowledge of the relationships between and among Federal, state, and local law enforcement and intelligence community agencies, their functions, and jurisdiction as they relate to national security matters and the field of polygraph. 4. Knowledge of criminal/counterintelligence investigations and inquiries, counterintelligence operations, national security matters, and ability to utilize the polygraph technique to successfully resolve related matters. 5. Skill in maintaining, repairing, and calibrating polygraph equipment. 6. Ability to effectively communicate clearly, concisely, and accurately with senior leadership and high ranking personnel both orally and in writing. Ability to clearly separate the interrelationship of fact and evidence in extremely difficult assignments and to handle sensitive matters which, because of the prominence of persons involved and/or nature of the case, would receive substantial widespread news. coverage. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT CONTINUED: 1. Special Sensitive: Position is designated special-sensitive and requires eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. A non-disclosure agreement must be signed. 2. Drug Testing: This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive position presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety. 3. This position is designated as a key position IAW AFI 36-507. Duties of this position are essential to the accomplishment of wartime/contingency operations. Incumbents of key positions must be removed from their military recall status if alternative for filling of the position during an emergency are not available. 4. Department of Defense Security Fundamentals Professional Certification (SFPC) conferral is required within 2 years of the established employee EOD or initial assignment date to this position in accordance with DOD 3305.13-M, DoD Security Accreditation and Certification and AFI 36-2645, Security Professional Certification and Development. The listed certification requirements may not be deleted or modified without the written approval of the AF Security Functional Authority (SAF/AA) or their delegated security career field representative. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Major Duties
DUTY 1: Administers counterintelligence security polygraph (CSP) examinations to military, civilian, and contractor personnel having or requiring security eligibility to special access program(s), SAPs, utilizing a special counterintelligence/security polygraph technique designed to supplement (and frequently replace) extensive investigations of individuals requiring access to top secret, sensitive, compartmented programs. Such examinations are designed to thwart hostile intelligence efforts to penetrate national defense programs, thus protecting facilities, information, operations, personnel and property from unauthorized disclosure, espionage, sabotage, terrorism, or theft and provide protection regarding the compromise of classified information considered vital to the national defense. DUTY 2: Prepares technical and narrative reports, gives briefings, testifies and makes recommendations regarding results of polygraph examinations. Upon completion of examination, evaluates charts and makes a conclusion regarding an individual's veracity. Prepares and submits a concise and comprehensive report of examination for supervisory and HQ level quality control review. Also prepares other written reports including but not limited to Reports of Investigations, Technical Data and Statistical Data Reports. DUTY 3: Expertly maintains and calibrates polygraph instrument and continuously monitors during operation to determine that instrument is functioning properly during actual examinations. Perform state of the art field maintenance, calibration, and repair of polygraph instruments, maintaining same in a constant state of operational readiness.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.
Additional Information
Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here. Selectees who physically reside permanently in the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during the entire recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) and selected for employment in the foreign area are eligible to receive certain foreign area benefits such as: Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) or government quarters, Post Allowance, Home Leave, etc. (subject to approval) Selectees who physically reside outside the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during any step of the recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) will have foreign area benefits eligibility be determined on a case by case basis.
How to Apply
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/19/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12886030 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. 4. Return Rights: Per AFI 36-1101 - DCIPS employees have no statutory right of return to the previous position, unit, or geographic location. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.
Required Documents
The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming. Online Application: Questionnaire Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply". Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license. Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy/copies of your last or most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1". Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2". Promotion Consideration: If you wish to be considered as a promotion candidate and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirements. You will need to provide additional SF-50s which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-Grade, Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old). OCONUS - Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" and block 34 must be a"1". Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2". NOTE: For OCONUS employees who claim eligibility MSP or Family Member Preference, your SF-50 may contain a "3" in block 24 and a "2" in block 34. OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS: Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Awards for Current Federal Civilian employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume. Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the SECURITY SPECIALIST position at Department of the Air Force - Agency Wide?
The salary range for this position is $124,085 - $161,313/yr. This is a GG-13 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the SECURITY SPECIALIST job located?
This position is located in El Segundo, California. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
This is a GG-13 position in the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). The GG-13 duties for the "Professional" work category are at the "Full Performance" work level and are equivalent to those at the GS-13 level. The selectee's salary will be set within the grade equivalent to a GS/GG grade based on the selectee's qualification...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Feb 19, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, a Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance is required.
What does GG-13 mean?
GG-13 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.