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Personnel Security Specialist/Senior Personnel Security Specialist

Federal Housing Finance Agency
Office of Facilities & Operations Management (OFOM)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

**Open only to applicants ICTAP eligibles in the Washington, DC local commuting area and veterans eligible for VEOA appointment.

The employee will serve as a Personnel Security Specialist or Senior Personnel Security Specialist with the Office of Facilities & Operations Management (OFOM) managing the full range of the Agency's personnel security efforts.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
01/15/2025 to 01/21/2025
Salary
$109,487 to - $210,837 per year
Pay scale & grade
EL 12 - 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
OFOM-25-04
Control number
828000900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will only be accepted from those eligible for Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) in the Washington, DC commuting area and veterans eligible for VEOA appointment . You must be a U.S. Citizen

Duties

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Major Duties & Responsibilities

Adjudicates background investigation reports and determines the suitability and security eligibility of individuals, including both federal employees and contractors. Conducts the full scope of adjudication and determination processes, including the review and assessment of information for both content and veracity, as well as prepares supporting recommendations and summaries.

Ensures documentation is complete and sufficient and makes final decisions on suitability and security eligibly. Determines if there are concerns that need further investigation or consideration based on federal guidance. Communicates in an organized manner, the issues and identifies mitigating or disqualifying factors to management for further action.

Serves as liaison and coordinates all necessary interaction with applicable interagency partners on all matters related to security processing and case management. Coordinates interactions with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and other cognizant security agency regarding national security matters.

Prepares interrogatory letters, letters of proposed action, advisory opinion letters, letters of official decisions to employees and contractors. Prepares letters to managers, other government offices, and Congressional offices providing explanations of actions taken on cases as necessary.

Interprets regulations and/or provides general information on personnel suitability or personnel security matters. Reviews current federal guidance on personnel security and suitability matters and makes recommendations for the continued refinement and development of the Agency's personnel security policies.

Works with appropriate internal partners to identify, develop, and implement policy or operational enhancements to improve the efficiency and timeliness of the Agency's personnel security programs without impacting overall security and accuracy of the program.

Reviews, assesses, and analyzes information from various sources and makes determinations on national security clearance for employees or other persons for access to sensitive information, resources, material, or work sites. Makes determinations or recommendations on all cases requiring a negative suitability determination or revocation of a national security clearance.

Manages contracts and other budgetary issues related to specific assigned contracts or Interagency Agreements.

Evaluates the authenticity and pertinence of information to the case under adjudication. Coordinates security clearance requests with staff members and other relevant partners to ensure proper information is obtained. Processes requests for passing of clearance information to other federal agencies.

Evaluates official Position Descriptions (OF-8) to determine if position sensitivity levels have been properly designated in accordance with relevant policy and criteria. Ensures complete and accurate records are maintained for all cases.

May conduct training and quality assurance reviews and implements policy and procedures relevant to the background investigation and security clearance areas of the FHFA Security Program. Assists with drafting and maintaining Personnel Security and Suitability policy and handbook. Incoordination with internal partners, drafts Standard Operating Procedures to process new hires, contractors, fingerprinting, adjudication, sponsoring and adjudicating HSPD-12 PIV card actions, and other relevant aspects of the Agency's personnel security policy.

Coordinates and monitors matters relating to security clearances. Courteously and tactfully provides assistance, information, and status briefs to supervisors, managers, and patrons as needed.

Reviews all new Executive Orders, Federal Regulations and OPM guidance to implement in the FHFA's Security Program to ensure compliance.

Serves as the personnel security program subject matter expert. Incumbent is responsible for creating project and operating plans that are compliant with OFOM requirements, as well as managing scope, milestones, and deadlines for related projects.

Provides training and guidance and explains federal regulations as needed to ensure timely submission and processing of security paperwork for new hires and contractors. Develops materials, including trainings and other job aids, to help stakeholders understand the personnel security process. Supports current and potential employees/contractors with issues related to the provision of documentation in federal personnel security systems.

Works closely with management and designated personnel during audits to provide explanation for each unique situation discovered in an audit, provide explanation of the security process, and provide documentation for case review.

Monitors database for background investigative data. Compiles statistical data and provide comprehensive reports and analyses as necessary based on requests from management.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen with ICTAP or VEOA eligibility
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • 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.
  • FHFA participates in e-Verify. All new hires must complete the I-9 Employment Verification form either on or before their first day of employment. If a discrepancy arises, you must take affirmative steps to resolve the matter.
  • This is NOT a remote position; you MUST live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the Washington, DC duty location.
  • Bargaining Unit Status: Ineligible
  • For ICTAP eligibles: A copy of your most recent performance appraisal with a rating of at least "fully successful" or equivalent must be included with application.
  • Failure to obtain Level II COR certification within 18 months from the date of appointment may lead to termination, as obtaining and maintaining this certification is a Condition of Employment.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualification EL-12: Applicants must have 52 weeks (one-year) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as described below.

Experience: I qualify for the EL/GS-12 because I have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the EL/GS-11 or equivalent demonstrating work experience with most or all of the statements described below. Examples of specialized experience include:

  • Applying a wide range of concepts, principles, methodology, and practices in personnel security administration.
  • Processing and adjudicating suitability and security eligibility determinations.
  • Establishing administrative procedures to monitor the investigative process.
  • Providing technical guidance and advice on matters pertaining to personnel security.

Minimum Qualification EL-13: Applicants must have 52 weeks (one-year) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as described below.

Experience: I qualify for the EL/GS-13 because I have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the EL/GS-12 or equivalent demonstrating work experience with most or all of the statements described below. Examples of specialized experience include:
  • Administering personnel security programs and operations.
  • Developing and implementing security procedures, operating policies, identifying new methods, and/or communicating approaches with leadership to enhance security program.
  • Processing and adjudicating suitability and security eligibility determinations.
  • Preparing documentation on personnel security investigations and determinations

Time-In-Grade: Current or former Federal government employees who have held an EL/GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time-in-grade requirement.
  • To be eligible for the EL-12 position, applicants must have served 52 weeks as an EL/GS-11 or higher in the Federal Service.
  • To be eligible for the EL-13 position, applicants must have served 52 weeks as an EL/GS-12 or higher in the Federal Service.

Certification: This position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain Level II COR certification within 18 months of the date of appointment. Failure to obtain this certification may result in termination.

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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

An Overview of FHFA's Benefits for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 provides a summary of benefits for the current fiscal year.

FHFA may select from this announcement or any other source to fill vacancies.

This position requires obtaining a Level II COR certification.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of at least 90; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.

FHFA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, disability (physical or mental), age (40 years of age or over), genetic information, parental status, marital status, prior protected EEO activity, political affiliation, or other non-merit factors.

REASONABLE ACCOMODATION:FHFA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, except when doing so would pose an undue hardship on the Agency. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify FHFA. The Agency's decision on granting a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.


Ethics: FHFA employees are subject to government-wide ethical standards of conduct, financial disclosure requirements, and post-employment prohibitions. In addition, certain FHFA employees are prohibited from accepting compensation from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for a two-year period after terminating employment with FHFA. Furthermore, to avoid financial conflicts-of interest or the appearance of conflicts-of-interest, FHFA employees may need to divest or sell certain assets they, their spouse, or minor children own or control, including securities issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or the Federal Home Loan Banks. Employees who work on Federal Home Loan Bank issues may need to sell or divest financial interests with any of the Federal Home Loan Bank members, which may include stock in bank holding companies, insurance companies, and other financial services firms. Questions regarding these requirements and prohibitions should be directed to the Office of General Counsel at (202) 649-3088.

In accordance with the Fair Chance Act, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) may not request, in oral or written form, that an applicant for an appointment to (FHFA) disclose criminal history record information before the appointing authority extends a tentative offer to the applicant. Allegations of FHFA violations of this Act may be submitted to fairchanceactcomplaints@fhfa.gov or to Fair Chance Act Complaints, Office of Human Resources Management, Employee Relations Branch, FHFA 400 7th Street, SW Washington DC 20219 within 30 days from the agency employee's alleged non-compliance with the law.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be rated based on your responses to the job-specific competencies documented within the questionnaire. A score will be assigned to you ranging from 70 to 100 points. ICTAP applicants who are deemed "well qualified," having obtained a score of at least 90 and those who meet the VEOA eligibility and qualification requirements and are deemed best qualified will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration.


Competencies:
  • Adjudication Process
  • Background Investigations & Suitability
  • Customer Service
  • Personnel Security



We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process. To preview the assessment questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12664410

All of the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application forms, by checking references or through other means, such as the interview process. This verification could occur at any stage of the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible.

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