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Personnel Security Specialist DIRECT HIRE

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OTHER IRS CAREERS? Visit us on the web at www.jobs.irs.gov

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
01/06/2023 to 01/05/2024
Salary
$46,696 to - $183,500 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 14
Locations
10 vacancies in the following locations:
(AL1213) 417 20th Street North
Birmingham, AL
(AL2085) 801 Tom Martin Drive
Birmingham, AL
(AL2062) 202 West Adams Street
Dothan, AL
(AL2036) 204 S Walnut Street
Florence, AL
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
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
23-11766397P-HCD-0080-7T14
Control number
698391300

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Duties

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WHAT IS THE HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICE (HCO) DIVISION?
A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions

Vacancies will be filled in the following specialty areas:
Human Capital, Office of Human Resource Operations, Talent Acquisition, Personnel Security Office

The following are the duties of this position at the full working level. If this vacancy includes more than one grade and you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform these duties and receive training to help you grow in this position.

  • Provides expert technical advice on a wide variety of issues including legislation, regulations, and other guidance related to the Personnel Security program and processes. Meets with top-level managers and executives within the Service and OPM to define the overall goals and objectives of the program.
  • Directs, plans, and coordinates complex analyses of programs (current or proposed), projects, and/or processes and considers factors such as: impact on customers, other programs, policies, procedural changes,staffing, training and support requirements, risk factors, costs and available alternatives.
  • Leads or coordinates operational reviews that impact multiple IRS locations and/or organizations.
  • Provides guidance and assistance to lower-graded specialists in the reviews and evaluations of complex programs. Serve as the person of contact and facilitator for agency audits.
  • Leads or participates in functional and cross-functional research studies involving the analysis of technical data in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of Personnel Security (PS). Frequently makes inquiries to stakeholders on issues affecting operational performance and investigative priorities.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • If you are in a telework eligible position, you may be directed to temporarily telework on a full-time basis due to COVID 19. Employees must be within a 200-mile radius of their official assigned post-of-duty (POD) while in a telework status. Once normal operations resume, employees may be directed back to the office to perform the duties of their position. Telework eligibility does not guarantee telework; employees must meet and sustain IRS telework eligibility requirements and supervisor's approval to participate in the IRS Telework Program. As a reminder - If you are selected for a position, you are responsible for reporting to your designated POD (location) on the negotiated start date or as directed by management.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National and provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. (Birth certificate showing birth in the U.S; Unexpired U.S. Passport; Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization; or Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen (Form FS-240))
  • Undergo a review of prior performance/conduct and an income tax verification. Refer to "Get Your Tax Record" at http://www.irs.gov/(https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript) to check the status of your account, balance owed, payment history, make a payment, or review answers to tax questions. If you are not in compliance, you will be determined unsuitable for employment with IRS.
  • Must successfully complete a background investigation, including a FBI criminal history record check (fingerprint check).
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
  • Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. These documents must be unexpired original or certified copies.

Qualifications

Federal experience is not required. The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.
You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement OR time of referral:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-07: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-5 level in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience includes: researching and gathering information and analyzing a set of facts, reviewing and evaluating applications or background information such as arrest records, credit reports, or tax records, and knowledge of security-related policies and regulations. Experience composing documents, reports, and correspondence involving non-technical information.
OR
EDUCATION: one (1) full year of graduate level education (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) at an accredited college or university in a related field of study such as: national security studies, information technology, criminal justice, or management. OR Superior Academic Achievement may be met by having a Bachelor's degree, with one of the following: A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last 2 years of study, or a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all courses in the major field of study or those courses in the major completed in the last 2 years of study, or rank in the upper one third of the class in the college, university, or major subdivision, or membership in a national honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.
OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: You may qualify by a combination of experience and education. Options for qualifying based on a combination will be identified in the online questions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-09: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience includes: experience that demonstrates knowledge of security program concepts, policies, and practices. Experience analyzing and evaluating factual information derived from investigations and applying regulations and policies affecting employment of individuals in an organization. Experience preparing oral and written summaries of investigative information.
OR
EDUCATION: A master's or equivalent graduate degree in a related field of study such as: national security studies, information technology, criminal justice, or management. OR Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a graduate degree in a related field of study such as: national security studies, information technology, criminal justice, or management. OR LL.B. or J.D., if related.
OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: You may qualify by a combination of experience and education. Options for qualifying based on a combination will be identified in the online questions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience includes: experience that demonstrates broad knowledge of security program concepts, policies, and practices; ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, and guidelines for the protection of classified, non-classified, and security related information in accordance with appropriate regulations; knowledge of personnel security principles, techniques and procedures. Experience conducting background investigations and personnel security clearance designation reviews and recommending actions based on established methods and procedures. Experience preparing oral and written summaries of investigative information.
OR
EDUCATION: A Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field of study such as: national security studies, information technology, criminal justice, or management fields. OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a graduate degree in a related field of study such as: national security studies, information technology, criminal justice, or management. OR LL.M., if related.
OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: You may qualify by a combination of experience and education. Options for qualifying based on a combination will be identified in the online questions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-12: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience includes: experience that demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of security principles, concepts, techniques, and methods sufficient to assist in managing a data security program for an organization and/or maintaining security applications for assigned systems. Experience initiating investigations of security incidents and/or investigating and resolving complex background investigation issues and providing technical assistance, advice, and consultation regarding security measures and effectiveness. Experience developing and maintaining policy and process documentation, and standard operating procedures (SOP) for personnel security programs and services; implementing procedures for granting and verifying sensitive position clearances and clearances for access to classified information and designating levels of position sensitivity and risk. Experience with oral and written communication techniques to effectively communicate with managers, employees, and other customers.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-13: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience includes: experience that demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of a wide range of personnel security (PS) concepts, practices, standards, procedures, systems, and programs; experience with PS case processing and systems sufficient to provide support for issues/problems that arise during the background investigation process. Experience utilizing analytical and evaluative techniques to conduct studies, identify and evaluate potential problems, and recommend resolutions to management; and project management principles and methods to develop plans and schedules, estimate resource requirements, define deliverables, monitor activities, and evaluate and report on accomplishments. Experience developing personnel suitability and security guidelines, policies and regulations, and assisting lower graded personnel in the proper processing of cases; oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization on extremely sensitive and confidential information; providing guidance and direction to customers and stakeholders; consulting/negotiating and meeting and dealing tactfully and persuasively with others to resolve issues which are often controversial and sensitive in nature.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-14: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience includes: experience that demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge and skill in communicating and applying advanced personnel security (PS) concepts, laws, regulations, principles, and practices.

See Additional Information for remaining Qualifications.

Education

For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.

Additional information

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-14 (con't): Experience utilizing PS systems to provide expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to management and other technical specialists on critical issues in the areas of applications software and internet technologies. Advanced knowledge of PS organizational structure to ensure guidance is directed to the appropriate responsible function; in-depth knowledge of PS processes to provide expert technical advice on alternative processing methods and procedures. Experience developing personnel suitability and security guidelines, policies and regulations, and assisting lower graded personnel in the proper processing of cases. Experience with project management principles and methods, sufficient to develop plans and schedules, estimate resource requirements, define deliverables, monitor activities, and to evaluate and report on accomplishments. Oral and written communication skills to prepare reports/documents, to conduct/facilitate formal or informal meetings, to identify and resolve problems, and to formulate and articulate policies and viewpoints to executives, management, employees, and other persons both within and outside PS. For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.

  • A 1-year probationary period is required.
  • Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
  • We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Additional jobs may be filled.
  • The salary range indicated in this announcement reflects the minimum locality pay up to maximum locality pay for all duty locations listed. The range will be adjusted for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.
  • This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position.
  • Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday, Day Shift
  • Alternative work schedule, staggered work hours or telework may be available.
  • Relocation expenses - No
  • May be required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
  • The employment of any candidate, including a current employee or a new hire, selected for this position will be conditional on obtaining and maintaining a High Risk Security Clearance.
  • Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
  • If this position is designated as hard to fill and you were referred by an IRS employee, the employee may be eligible to receive a bonus for referring you under The Employee Referral Bonus Program (ERBP), recruiting strategy.
  • Though many locations may be listed, you will be limited to a maximum of 3 location choices. Please consider each location carefully when applying. If you are selected for a position at one of your location selections, that location will become your official post of duty.
This is an open continuous announcement which allows applicants to apply up to the closing date of the announcement, 01/05/2024. The announcement will be used to fill initially an anticipated 10 vacancies. Contingent upon funding and space requirements, one or more vacancies may be filled at the locations listed in this announcement as they become available.

How you will be evaluated

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

This position will be filled through the Direct Hire Authority. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking, and veterans' preference procedures do not apply. Your application will be considered based on education, training, and quality of your experience. For more information on Direct-Hire Authority visit: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Your application must include your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination.

Referral: Applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. Candidates may be required to participate in a selection interview (telephonic and/or in person at the discretion of the Selecting Official in accordance with hiring practices). We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site.

If you are a displaced Federal employee (eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must be found "well qualified" for the position. Well qualified is defined as: experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, demonstrated by meeting all the competencies for this position.

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