Clarification from the agency

United States Citizens. If you are a current or former federal employee or are eligible under a special hiring authority (VEOA, Schedule A, etc.), you may be eligible to apply under the concurrently advertised merit promotion vacancy announcement: OFO-2026-0012.

APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 200 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 200th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first.  

We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application.

As a Security Assistant, GS-0086-06, you will be responsible for:

•    Initiating Background Investigations for applicants, appointees, employees and contractors.
•    Evaluating the authenticity, veracity and pertinence of data to the case in hand.
•    Serving as point of contact for routine inquiries from other program agencies.
•    Researching and gathering data and correlating large amounts of narrative and statistical information.

As a Security Assistant, GS-0086-07, you will be responsible for:

•    Reviewing requests for background investigations to ensure that all required information is provided; makes requests for missing information from the applicant or employee.
•    Initiating appropriate background investigations based upon position risk or sensitivity level.
•    Evaluating pertinent data in a background investigation to identify the presence or absence of derogatory information and, with more experienced Specialist, determine the impact of various kinds of (derogatory information on the granting, denying, or revoking of security clearances, or determine suitability for employment in sensitive, public trust, or non-sensitive positions.
•    Maintaining liaison with all levels of the agency, and other pertinent Federal agencies, in matters pertaining to personnel security or suitability. Serves as the first point of contact for the Office of Personnel Management, and other investigative agencies conducting background investigations.

Conditions of employment

• Relocation will not be paid.
• Must be a US Citizen
• Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service.
• You may be subject to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Must Complete a Background Investigation and Fingerprint check.

Condition of Employment:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary period or trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: • your performance and conduct; • the needs and interests of the agency; • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

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. We will consider all qualifying experience, including any volunteer experience.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements
You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-09, if you possess the specialize experience, education, or a combination of the two.

Specialized Experience for the GS-06
One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-05 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:
1. Experience reviewing initial employment background investigation forms for accuracy and completeness.
2. Experience in receiving and processing employment background investigation documents within timely deadlines.
3. Experience corresponding to the contractor, employee, and applicant employment background investigation related inquiries in a professional and courteous manner.

Specialized Experience for the GS-07
One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-06 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:
1.    Experience in utilizing personnel security computer applications and resources to ensure regulatory compliance with security policies, programs, or operating instructions.
2.    Experience in conducting employment pre-screening determinations by reviewing and evaluating criminal history, fingerprint results and/or complete background investigations.
3.    Experience in evaluating suitability of security applications by obtaining arrest disposition information, analyzing case information, or composing documents regarding the issuance, suspension, denial and/or revocation of security clearances.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

GS-06
1.    Knowledge of the OPM e-Qip system; position risk and sensitivity levels as they relate to background investigations.
2.    Knowledge of the Credentialing, Suitability and security clearance Decision Making Guide.
3.    Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing to present recommendations and coordinating efforts with Department staff.
4.    Ability to analyze and make decisions using own judgment in any situation.

GS-07
1.    Knowledge of personnel security processes and of personnel investigations processing systems necessary to perform background investigations.
2.    Ability to use analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to complete reports, accomplish projects, and evaluate results for the management and completion of programs.
3.    Knowledge of a wide range of security specialties, concepts, principles, criteria, requirements, technology, and practices.
4.    Skill in using computers and computer applications effectively to analyze and communicate personnel security related information in the appropriate forms.

How you will be evaluated

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

We use a multi-step process to review and evaluate applicants:

1. Eligibility and Minimum Qualifications

Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your submitted resume and documents to determine if you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, including any required education, experience, and/or selective placement factors. You will be rated as ineligible if you are outside of the area of consideration (i.e., who may apply) or your application is missing any required documents. You will be rated as not qualified if you do not possess the minimum qualification requirements.

2. Rating and Ranking

If you are found to meet both the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, we will assess the quality of your experience and the extent to which you possess the required KSAs by comparing your submitted resume and documents against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. Your application may be referred to a subject matter expert or panel of subject matter experts for further evaluation. Based on the outcome of this evaluation, you will be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. If your responses to the occupational questionnaire are not substantiated by your submitted resume, you may be eliminated from receiving further consideration. Veterans’ Preference: Qualified veterans’ preference eligibles will be ranked ahead of qualified non-preference eligibles within each category for which they are qualified. Qualified veterans’ preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more (CPS and CP) will be placed at the top of the Best Qualified category, except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 grade level or higher.

Based on the outcome of this evaluation candidates will be assigned a numerical score out of a possible 100 and be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified.  The three categories are defined below:

Best-Qualified Category – Applicants who have a score between 95 and 100.  Demonstrates better overall or key knowledge, skills, or abilities for a specific position.

Well-Qualified Category – Applicants who have a score between 85 and 94.99.  Possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities which clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position but does not necessarily meet the definition of best qualified.

Qualified Category – Applicants who have a score between 70 and 84.99. Meets the minimum qualification standards for a specific position.

3. Referral and Selection

If you are found to be amongst the most highly qualified applicants, you will be referred to the selecting official. As part of the assessment and selection process, the selecting official may invite you to participate in a structured interview, check your references, and/or request that you submit a writing sample or complete a written assessment or exercise to further evaluate your qualifications for this position. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the interview process or written assessment or exercise, please inform the selecting official at the time of scheduling.