Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to: All U.S Citizens; Retained Grade Preference (RGP) eligibles, and Military Reserve and National Guard Technician eligibles may also apply

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As a Training Specialist you will be responsible for the following duties:

- Serve as a recognized Personnel Vetting SME and trainer for the protection of national security information and other assets and the performance of sensitive duties as set forth in the requirements of the DoD for Personnel Vetting.

- Develop training content and deliver in-person and virtual instruction to the DoD, cleared industry, and USG Personnel Vetting professionals.

- Support current and emerging security certification programs.

- Provide recommendations for new CDSE courses, and/or training product development, along with completion of maintenance on existing security training, products, and services.

- Provide authoritative guidance to students, security specialists in the field, and the professional DOD security community at large.

- Ensures the CDSE Personnel Vetting training curriculum aligns with defined security skill standards.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a US citizen
• Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. For more information http://www.sss.gov
• Resume and supporting documents received by 11:59PM EST will be considered
• This is a Drug Testing designated position
• Position is a (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 1601
• Work Schedule: Full Time
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• PCS (Permanent Change of Station): Not Authorized
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Not Required
• Telework Eligibility: Supervisors may approve situational telework on a case-by-case, temporary basis for limited situations.
• If selected, the incumbent must obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as indicated in job announcement.

Qualifications

This position has a Basic Requirement for the 1712:

Individual Occupational Requirements

Education

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- education or a subject area related to the position to be filled.

or

Experience

General Experience (for GS-5 positions): Experience that provided evidence of the ability to instruct students in the use of equipment, principles, or practices of the subject or occupation. This experience may have been gained as a teacher or instructor; in on-the-job supervision or instruction of subordinates or fellow workers; or in work involving application of the principles, practices, and techniques of the occupation or subject-matter field of the position to be filled.

Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Experience that demonstrated a practical knowledge of the subject area of the position and of the methods and techniques of instruction. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

• Teaching or instructing in an adult education program, secondary school, college, military installation, or industrial establishment in the appropriate field(s).
• Supervising or administering a training program.
• Development or review of training/course materials, aids, devices, etc., and evaluation of training results.
• Work in the occupation or subject-matter field of the position to be filled that required training or instructing others on a regular basis.

*NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1700/training-instruction-series-1712/ for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 09/26/2025

Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position.

You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade GG/GS 12 in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility.
Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience. Specialized experience for this position includes:

Personnel Vetting field subject matter expertise (SME), including new developments, adjudications, Security Review Proceedings (due process and appeals), and recent interpretations of its important policies and program procedures; Interpersonal and oral/written communication skills; Knowledge related to classroom and virtual course instruction, facilitating discussions and answering student questions; Planning, coordinating and ensuring content in the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) phases is current, relevant and effective; Security and training program evaluation; and principles of adult education and teaching methodologies

Specifically you will be evaluated on the following competencies:

1. Training and Education Analysis: Analyze processes/programs and interpret results in assessing training and education requirements. Identify individual and collective training and education capabilities and resourcing gaps, and develop gap mitigation strategies.


2. Instructional Delivery and Learner Development: Deliver, provide, and monitor training and education for individuals and groups within learning environments. Tailor and adapt instruction to ensure learners' needs are met and learning outcomes are achieved.


3.Personnel Security: Apply personnel security principles and methods to process initial investigations, clearances, periodic re-investigations, and clearance upgrades/downgrades, suspension, revocations, terminations, reinstatements and to complete the adjudication, and appeals processes. Evaluate internal and external security clearance requests and ensures applicant's actions are consistent with regulatory requirements. Analyze and report on clearance and appeals findings to senior security officials and makes appropriate notifications.

4.Instructional Environment Management: Apply protocols and procedures to ensure safety requirements are met, and establish a learning environment that promotes positive interactions, collaboration, and sustainment of learners' interest.

5. Security Education, Training and Awareness: Develop, administer, and maintain curricula and materials on the full range of security principles and practices. Conduct and track security awareness briefings and debriefings.


Incumbent must attain and maintain the CDSE Instructor Certification at the Basic levels within 24 months of initiation of the Instructor Certification Program.

Incumbent will be required to attain and maintain the DOD Security Professional Education Development Program (SPēD) Security Fundamentals Professional Certification (SFPC) within 12 months of hire.

How you will be evaluated

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

Read the job opportunity carefully to make sure you have included all required contact information.
Include dates, hours, level of experience and examples for each work experience
For each work experience you list, make sure you include:

• Start and end dates (including the month and year).
• The number of hours you worked per week.
• The level and amount of experience-for instance, whether you served as a project manager or a team member helps to illustrate your level of experience.
• Examples of relevant experiences and accomplishments that prove you can perform the tasks at the level required for the job as stated in the job announcement. Your experience needs to address every required qualification.

If your resume does not clearly outline details for each position as noted, you may be deemed "not referred" for this position.

Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the Occupational Questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.