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Personnel Security Specialist

Department of Agriculture
Food Safety and Inspection Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Position is located in the Office of Management, Office of Human Resources, Human Resources Operations Division (HROD). Incumbent assists the USDA, FSIS Security Manager with overall administration and implementation of the Personnel Security Program to include all actions pertaining to and concerning U.S public trust and security clearances in accordance with USDA policy.

Management may select at any grade:
Pay Range
GS-9: $57,447 to $74,680
GS-11: $69,505 to $90,362
GS-12: $83,309 to $108,306

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
12/21/2021 to 12/28/2021
Salary
$57,447 to - $108,306 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Minneapolis, MN
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
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
FSIS-22-MMP-11331532-JC
Control number
627997200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current permanent Federal employees with competitive status, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP and VEOA/VRA eligibles, Farm Service Agency permanent county employees; reinstatement eligibles; Individuals with disabilities; certain military spouses; 30% or more disabled veterans; former Peace Corps or VISTA volunteers and those eligible for other Special Hiring Authorities.

Duties

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  • Accessing and reviewing Government databases, such as OPM, PIPS, CVS, and EQIP.
  • Reviewing and processing security documents for completeness, consistency, and compliance.
  • Analyzing personnel security information and making suitability determinations or adjudicating background investigations.
  • Performing a wide variety of security administration functions which include maintaining, preparing and reporting a wide variety of security documentation, reports and systems.
  • Contributing recommendations regarding internal systems and procedures that best balance security efficiency with security effectiveness.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before appointment with the agency.
  • The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.
  • Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area.
  • Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement no earlier than 45 days.
  • At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency's telework policy.
  • Position is subject to drug testing.
  • Satisfactory background investigation and/or fingerprint check required.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • May be subject to satisfactory completion of one year probationary or trial period.
  • If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.
  • False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
  • Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
  • If you are newly hired, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" system.
  • Federal law requires the use of E-VERIFY to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. Under this system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.
  • Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a top security clearance. Failure to successfully meet these requirements could lead to adverse action proceedings including possible termination.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Time in grade:
Applicants must meet one year at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-11 grade level for consideration for the GS-12 grade level).

For the GS-9 level:
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that demonstrates at least 2 of the skills below:

- Experience using security databases, such as: Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (eQIP), Personnel Investigation Processing System (PIPS), Central Verification System (CVS), Defense Information System for Security (DISS), and/or Security Entry Tracking System (SETS).
- Interpreting personnel security policies or procedures.
- Reviewing and evaluating reports of investigations or other documents to determine if individuals meet suitability or security standards.
- Assisting with the development of personnel security education and training materials.

For the GS-11 level:
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that demonstrates at least 3 of the skills below:

- Resolving complex issues reported during background investigations.
- Interpreting laws, regulations, and Executive Orders related to personnel security programs.
- Experience using security databases, such as: Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (eQIP), Personnel Investigation Processing System (PIPS), Central Verification System (CVS), Defense Information System for Security (DISS), and/or Security Entry Tracking System (SETS).
- Analyzing personnel security information to make pre and post suitability determinations.
- Reviewing and processing security documents for completeness, consistency, and compliance.
- Contributing recommendations regarding internal systems and procedures that best balance security efficiency with security effectiveness.

For the GS-12 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that demonstrates at least 4 of the skills below:

- Resolving complex issues reported during background investigations.
- Experience using security databases, such as: Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (eQIP), Personnel Investigation Processing System (PIPS), Central Verification System (CVS), Defense Information System for Security (DISS) and/or Security Entry Tracking System (SETS).
- Analyzing personnel security information to make pre and post suitability determinations.
- Reviewing and processing security documents for completeness, consistency, and compliance.
- Independently adjudicating security clearance requests.

For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here:
Series 0080 Security Administration

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

For the GS-9 level:

A master's (or equivalent graduate degree such as a L.L.B/J.D.) or 2 academic years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed post-high school education and experience. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.

For the GS-11 level:

A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree such as LL.M or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed post-high school education and experience. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.

Additional information

- This position is eligible for up to 4 days telework per week and other flexible work arrangements. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor.

-This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

- Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployed Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applications must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

- If you are newly hired, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" system. Federal law requires the use of E-VERIFY to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. Under this system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.

- If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.

- Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: USDAs TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

- It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. To see more information visit CHCO Council.

- More information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the Veteran's Recruitment Act (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses and Schedule A Disabled may be found on the USAJOBS website.

- Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better.

Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the occupational questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below:

  • Oral Communication
  • Written Communication
  • Analytical Skills
  • Knowledge of Personnel Security
  • Research Ability
  • Attention to Detail
Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions.

Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Non-Competitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need to meet minimum qualifications to be referred.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.

To view the application form, visit:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11331532

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