Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to: All United States citizens, Retained Grade Preference (RGP) eligibles, and Military Reserve and National Guard Technician eligibles in the commuting area may also apply. This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies and applicants may be selected to be placed into a pipeline for future vacancies.

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As a PERSONNEL SECURITY SPECIALIST (SENIOR ADJUDICATOR) you will be responsible for the following duties:

• Performing in-depth analysis and evaluation of Personnel Security Investigations, security files and other information containing serious derogatory or extremely sensitive information impacting on initial or continuing clearance and access eligibility
• Reviewing, approving and signing all divisional Statement of Reasons, intended to deny or revoke an individual's security clearance eligibility.
• Reviewing responses to Statements of Reasons and rendering adjudicative determinations on an individual's security clearance eligibility.
• Approve requests for additional investigation and responds to unusual and/or complex issues raised by Commanding Officers, Special Security Officers, Security Managers and/or individuals affected by the agency actions.
• Review complex adjudicative decisions made by a large number of certified developmental and senior specialists whose sole purpose is to make security clearance eligibility and Suitability and Fitness determinations.
• Ensure sound interpretation and application of Personnel Security Program policy and procedures Responsible for favorable determinations of non-sensitive adjudications by established policy and law.

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.
• The DoD Personnel Security Adjudicator Professional Certification and Due Process Credential will be maintained by completing 100 Professional Development Units (PDUs) every two years following initial certification.
• The incumbent is not required to have the DoD Personnel Security Adjudicator Professional Certification and Due Process Credential upon entry on duty but will be required to obtain it within two years of employment.

Qualifications

The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: Security Administration Series 0080 (opm.gov) 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 10/20/2025

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 the GG-13 position includes:

• Providing advice, guidance, and direction on a wide range of security, counter-intelligence, adjudications, and administrative issues;
• Providing a review on cases with significant derogatory information, preparing Letters of Intent to Deny/Letters of Intent to Revoke security clearances and/or assignment to sensitive and non-sensitive duties;
• Analyze responses to Letters of Intent to Deny or Revoke Security Clearance and render adjudicative determination if the response mitigates the security concern or if the response does not mitigate the security concern;
• Prepares Letter of Denial or Letter of Revocation of Security Clearance; and
• Evaluating reports by analyzing facts and performing appropriate research and preparing detailed responses.

Specifically you will be evaluated on the following competencies:

1. 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.

2. Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity.

3. Interpersonal Skills: Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.

4. Reasoning: Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.

5. Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience.

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 how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and the responses you provide on the application questionnaire.

Application Questionnaire: Applicants must complete a screen out questionnaire as part of the application process. Applicants identified as meeting the basic education requirement and minimum qualifications for the position may move on for further review.

EXCEPTED SERVICE PILOT REVIEW: Once the application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. All applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Top ranked candidates will be referred to the selecting official for further review and consideration.

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified'.

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

All eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.