Personnel Security Specialist
What you'd do
The Personnel Security Specialist is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Central Office (VACO) Human Resources Service Center (HRSC) that focuses on the establishment and transition of human capital services for VACO staff offices from VHA, VBA, and NCA. This position serves as a Personnel Security Specialist for the HRSC and performs security-related functions in support of a HRSC Personnel Suitability and Credentialing program.
Major duties
Major Duties: Responsible for the Department's nationwide adjudication of the minor and no-issue background investigation cases and fingerprint results involving VA employee Security Clearances, VA employee Public Trust positions and for all suitability investigations for VA Contractors. Within delegated authority, adjudicates security clearances and forwards recommendations for security clearance denials. Maintains associated personnel suitability records. Contacts subject(s) of investigation regarding inconclusive or derogatory information developed to resolve disputed information. Incumbent must have the judgement and ability to recognize sensitive, personal issues and to avoid unwarranted concern or emotional responses in eliciting required additional information. To accomplish the mitigation, incumbent must have the judgement and ability to recognize sensitive, personal issues and to avoid unwarranted concern or emotional responses in eliciting required additional information. Documents findings, makes security and suitability determinations, and formulates case disposition recommendations or varies actions, including approval of employment, denial of employment, or retention in sensitive public trust positions. Ensures that adjudicative reviews and determinations are accomplished in an accurate, thorough, appropriate, and efficient manner pursuant to the most statutes and regulations governing personnel security clearances and personnel suitability. Recommends or takes action on cases where the facts are not completely ascertained or where there is contradictory evidence that is incomplete or inconclusive. Maintains associated personnel suitability records for VA employees in Public Trust positions and all contractor personnel. Performs work concerned with physical protection of documents, automation equipment and facility to protect them against espionage, sabotage, damage and theft. Analyzes needs for security controls, recommends systems, method, and procedures to increase physical security of personal information. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Adhoc- May be authorized per agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Description/PD#: PD41397A, PD41396A, and PD00067A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/07/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS07. For a GS11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS09. For a GS12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS11. Time-In-Grade Requirement: in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to some former Federal employees applying for reinstatement, as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. See the Required Document section below for more information regarding the SF-50s needed to verify time-in-grade. In order to qualify for the GS-9, you must meet the following: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one year (52 weeks) of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal government, obtained in either the private or public sector, to include: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-07) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Performing High Risk, moderate and low risk adjudications; Applying policy direction to specific operating requirements and developing guidance for applying personnel security and suitability policy, procedures, techniques, and methods; Interpreting policy and providing authoritative interpretations and guidance to management officials and other personnel security officers at the same and lower levels. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR a LL.B. or J.D., if related. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Note: TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION PACKAGE. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education as shown above. Applicants with Superior Academic Achievement on their Bachelor's Degree may use all graduate level education when combining education and experience to qualify for this position. NOTE: Both the Bachelor's and Graduate Degree Transcripts must be submitted with the application package. Otherwise, ONLY Graduate education in excess of the first full year may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9. GS-11 Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-9) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience include: knowledge of personnel security and suitability to ensure Position Risk/Sensitivities by analyzing duties and relating them to established position sensitivity criteria; determining the appropriate position risk/sensitivity level designed by OPM's Position Designation Tool (PDT) and investigation required for the position; serving as a PIV coordinator; initiating, addressing questions, and reviewing information submitted in e-QIP. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or a LL.M, if related. Such education demonstrates the knowledges, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a masters or 2 full years of graduate level education. For example, an applicant has 9 months of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 and 2 1/2 years of creditable graduate level education. The applicant meets 75 percent of the required experience and 50 percent of the required education, i.e., the applicant has 1/2 year of graduate study beyond that required for GS-9. Therefore, the applicant exceeds the total requirement and is qualified for the position. (The applicant's first 2 years of graduate study are not qualifying for GS-11.) GS-12 Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience include: knowledge of personnel security and suitability to serve as an expert advisor in personnel and suitability issues; applying and interpreting personnel security and suitability policy; establishing personnel security and suitability policies and procedures; preparing removal cases and representing the agency before the Merit Systems Protections Board (MSPB) on pre and post-employment suitability issues. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Customer Service Quality Management Personnel Security Security 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary and requires no special physical demands. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Before you apply
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