Personnel Security Specialist

To be considered qualified for this position you must meet the following qualification requirements for the respective grade level in which you are applying. You qualify for the GS-07 level (starting salary $55,924) if you possess one of the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level performing duties such as: Gathering and/or organizing information for use in reports to various stakeholders. Utilizing automated systems to maintain records of information for use in processing investigative activities. Assisting in the completion of routine personnel security actions such as reviewing documentation to process security clearances. OR One full year of graduate level education at an accredited or pre-accredited college or university. OR Superior Academic Achievement. To be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on: (1) Class Standing – Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses, OR (2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) – Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (“B” or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (“B+” or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR (3) Honor Society Membership – Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/). OR A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position if the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages. You qualify for the GS-09 level (starting salary $68,405) if you possess one of the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level performing duties such as: Reviewing security documents submitted by applicants, employees, and contractors in accordance with guidelines ensuring all background information is complete. Processing security clearances. Utilizing automated systems to retrieve information, conduct local records checks, and monitor reports generated from security databases. Providing and explaining security related information to stakeholders. Assisting in making security clearance adjudications, suitability determinations and recommendations. OR Master’s or equivalent graduate degree, LL.B., or J.D. or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position if the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages. The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement. 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Joining the Secret Service, Office of Security, Personnel Security and Vetting Division will allow you to play an integral role performing the full range of personnel security administration for Uniformed Division, Special Agent, and Administrative, Professional and Technical applicants and employees at the United States Secret Service. This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation Veterans preference does not apply. For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.