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Personnel Security Specialist

Social Security Administration
Security and Resiliency / Personnel Security

Summary

See QUALIFICATIONS for important information about this position and conditions that apply.

Coordinates and carries out special projects and studies covering many areas of SSA's personnel program. Performs works of analytical, technical and advisory nature in connection with the goals of the agency's personnel management program.

See DUTIES for additional responsibilities of this position.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/04/2026 to 05/15/2026
Salary
$70,623 - $133,142 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 12
Location
3 vacancies in the following location:
Woodlawn, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Flex-Time / Alternate Work Schedule (AWS) may be authorized
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
SSA-12943986-26-SR
Control number
867436800

Duties

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  • At the full performance level, coordinates and carries out special projects and studies covering many areas of SSA's personnel security program.
  • Performs works of analytical, technical and advisory nature in connection with the goals of the agency's personnel security program.
  • Conducts special studies, projects or research work as assigned.
  • Participates in, and may lead, temporary self- managed work/project teams in Security and Resiliency, Personnel Security.
  • Coordinates and develops special reports involving difficult problems in personnel security areas and analysis programs and provides guidance as required to assure consistent approach.
  • Participates in a variety of studies, analyses and projects in personnel security related areas.
  • Prepares reports, replies to special correspondence and comments on matters relating to personnel security.
  • Briefs Personnel Security leadership members on any aspects of the work.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required. If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
  • Fingerprinting and background and/or security investigation may be required. Job offers are contingent on fingerprinting and background / security investigation results.
  • All application materials must be received by the closing date. All application forms submitted become the property of SSA Human Resources. Requests for copies of application documents will not be accepted.
  • Applicants must be in good standing. Applicants must have a fully successful rating of record. Official Personnel Folders will not be reviewed.
  • See QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS sections for more information about this position.
  • Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered. Visit the 'Required Documents' section below for more information.

Qualifications

To qualify for this Personnel Security Specialist position, you must demonstrate:
(1) at least 52 weeks of Specialized Experience OR
(2) Optional Education (GS-09 and GS-11 only) OR
(3) Combination of Specialized Experience and Optional Education (GS-09 and GS-11 only)

Minimum Qualifications for GS-09:
(1) Specialized Experience: At least 52 weeks providing administrative services related to Personnel Security and federal personnel vetting. This experience must have been gained in a federal position at or above GS-07 OR (for positions on another federal pay scale or experience outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level of responsibility and difficulty equivalent to GS-07.

Work that demonstrates specialized experience includes:
(1) applying analytical and problem-solving methods and techniques and
(2) presenting findings or recommendations

**If you have experience performing this type of work as it relates to Personnel Security, it must be clearly described in your resume, or it cannot be considered.

(2) Optional Education: you must have a master's degree OR successful completion of at least 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent degree.

(3) Combination: you must have a portion of Specialized Experience (i.e., less than 52 weeks performing qualifying duties) and a portion of qualifying Optional Education that can be combined to meet the full requirement.

SEE EDUCATION SECTION BELOW


Minimum Qualifications for GS-11
(1) Specialized Experience: At least 52 weeks providing advisory services related to Personnel Security and federal personnel vetting. This experience must have been gained in a federal position at or above GS-09 OR (for positions on another federal pay scale or experience outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level of responsibility and difficulty equivalent to GS-09.

Work that demonstrates specialized experience includes:
(1) applying federal rules, regulations and procedures
(2) assisting with gathering, maintaining and analyzing data in areas such as federal policies, procedures, systems, etc.
(3) using automated systems for gathering data, preparing documents or reports; and
(4) assisting senior staff and employees with personnel security issues, inquiries, problems and complaints
.
**If you have experience performing this type of work as it relates to Personnel Security, it must be clearly described in your resume, or it cannot be considered.

(2) Optional Education: you must have a Ph.D. or successful completion of at least 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

(3) Combination: you must have a portion of Specialized Experience (i.e., less than 52 weeks performing qualifying duties) and a portion of qualifying Optional Education that can be combined to meet the full requirement.

SEE EDUCATION SECTION BELOW


Minimum Qualifications for GS-12
Specialized Experience: you must have at least 52 weeks providing technical services related to Personnel Security and federal personnel vetting. This experience must have been gained in a federal position at or above GS-11 OR (for positions on another federal pay scale or experience outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level of responsibility and difficulty equivalent to GS-11.

Education cannot be used in lieu of or in addition to Specialized Experience to meet Minimum Qualifications at this grade level.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Specialized Experience and/or Optional Education) must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

If you have federal status and are applying for promotion, you must have at least 52 weeks at
GS-07 (or other federal equivalent) for promotion to GS-09
GS-09 (or other federal equivalent) for promotion to GS-11 and
GS-11 (or other federal equivalent) for promotion to GS-12

Time in grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Applicants without the full amount of Specialized Experience can meet Minimum Requirements for this position with Optional Education.

You must submit transcripts that fully support your claim or your education cannot be considered.

Your transcript(s) must showyour name, the name of the school, the program in which you were enrolled and the degree conferred. If you have attended more than one college or university, submit transcripts for all schools attended. TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE LEGIBLE

DO NOT SUBMIT A DIPLOMA IN LIEU OF A FULL TRANSCRIPT THAT SHOWS THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.

One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered to satisfy 1 year of full-time study.

Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. CHECK YOUR UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT TO CONFIRM IT SHOWS THE REQUIRED INFORMATION. You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail.

Foreign Education: Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the education requirement, but you must also provide documentation that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of your appointment.

Additional information

WHO MAY APPLY:

(1) ICTAP/CTAP (see Career Transition Guide)

(2) Current Competitive Service / permanent OR conditional tenure

(3) Former Competitive Service -- resigned or retired with
(a) permanent tenure (separation at any time)
(b) conditional tenure (separation within previous 3 years) OR
(c) conditional tenure AND vet preference (separation at any time)

(4) Current Excepted Service:
(a) agency with competitive service compatibility (Foreign Service, US Postal Service, etc.)
(b) agency with Interchange Agreement
(c) Schedule A* -- block 5 of APPOINTMENT action shows Reg 213.3102(u) - must be in a competitive service agency, agency with competitive service compatibility or an agency with an Interchange Agreement
(d) not described above but can demonstrate prior Competitive Service OR vet status

(5) Former Excepted Service - must have prior Competitive Service (permanent or conditional tenure) OR vet status

(6) Military Spouses -- see USAJOBS Help Center | Military Spouses

(7) VEOA -- see USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans -- if you have non-qualifying Excepted Service and are an eligible veteran, you may use VEOA as your eligibility but still must provide documents demonstrating your Excepted Service status (e.g., current SF-50 / performance appraisal or separation SF-50).

VEOA cannot be used to circumvent merit promotion requirements. VEOA applicants with federal status will be considered on federal status first and VEOA only if federal status cannot be used. Eligibility must be fully documented to receive consideration.

If you are a federal contractor, do not identify yourself as a federal employee.


OTHER NOTES:
See QUALIFICATIONS and EDUCATION for information on qualifying for this position.

See HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for information on applying for this position.

This is a non-bargaining unit position to be filled under the provisions of the Management Officials Promotion Plan. The best-qualified list for this vacancy may be used to fill the same or similar positions in this office. Additional selections may be made within 6 months of the date the best qualified list is issued.

This position is on a full-time, flex-time schedule and may be eligible for an Alternate Work Schedule (AWS). Telework may be approved after all conditions for telework have been met.

This position is not authorized to be filled virtually or through outstationing. The Official Duty Station (ODS) for this position is Woodlawn, Maryland. To participate in telework, you must reside within a 2-hour commute to this ODS by the time of your appointment.

Relocation expenses will not be paid; salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions.

Successful performance of work in this position and adherence to conditions of this position will be assessed during the 1-year probationary period served that may be served by new appointees (e.g., new to SSA and/or new to this series).

This position is a career ladder leading to GS-12.

This is a critical-sensitive position. You may be required to complete Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions, in order to have the appropriate investigation conducted.

Position is assigned to:
SSA Headquarters / Woodlawn, Maryland
Security and Resiliency
Personnel Security

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

(1) Eligibility will be based on your claim under the ELIGIBILITY Section at the beginning of the online questionnaire, in addition to your responses to Assessment Question #1 (Federal Status) and Question #2 (Federal Performance Appraisal).

Only applicants who meet and demonstrate eligibility requirements will be evaluated.

(2) If rated 'eligible' you will receive a score based on your responses to the online experience questions.

Preview questions here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12943986

(3) If you are among the highest-ranking applicants based on that score, your resume (and transcript, if applicable) will be reviewed by HR to determine if you demonstrate the required Specialized Experience (and/or education).

RESUME: Describe duties you perform that meet the Specialized Experience required for this position (see QUALIFICATIONS), as well as duties that demonstrate the following as they relate to the Specialized Experience. It must be evident that the duties you describe are at the required level for at least 52 weeks. Duties not clearly described cannot be credited.

-- Skill interpreting and applying personnel security laws and regulations
(GS-09 - possible 9 points; GS-11 - possible 12 points; GS-12 - possible 20 points)

-- Skill in analyzing and evaluating data
(GS-09 - possible 9 points; GS-11 - possible 12 points; GS-12 - possible 20 points)

-- Ability to communicate orally and in writing
(GS-09 - possible 9 points; GS-11 - possible 12 points; GS-12 - possible 20 points)

Total Possible Points =
(GS-09 - possible 27 points; GS-11 - possible 36 points; GS-12 - possible 60 points)

**It is not sufficient to make claims in the questionnaire that are not supported in your resume**

Information not specifically stated in your resume cannot be assumed. Information copied or restated from the announcement or rating criteria will not be considered. If this occurs, you may be found ineligible.

(4) The highest-ranked applicants who demonstrate the required Specialized Experience (and/or Optional Education) will be referred to the hiring manager following Priority Selection procedures and applicable documents will be forwarded for further review. (See Priority Selection below).

Your claimed knowledge, skills and abilities are subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation or to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed experience.

PRIORITY SELECTION:
Well-Qualified ICTAP eligibles will receive the first consideration ONLY IF appropriate supporting documents are provided (see Career Transition Guide AND Required Documents). Well-qualified is defined as having knowledge, skills and abilities that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position.'

Eligible veterans may apply under this Merit Promotion announcement, but preference points are not applied, and veterans do not receive priority consideration.

See Required Documents for information on how to support these claims.

Social Security Administration

Do you have a desire to:

  • help SSA manage its Social Security programs?
  • analyze and solve problems?
  • help and advise millions of retired and disabled individuals?
  • work on a team to make a difference in people's lives and your own?
Informational Note:
Creating a my Social Security (mySSA) account is a convenient way to access your personal Social Security information online. While not required for this position or the application process, you may wish to learn more about the benefits of having a mySSA account by visiting www.ssa.gov/myaccount

Agency contact information

Careers at SSA
Email
Careers@ssa.gov
Address
Security and Resiliency
6401 Security Blvd.
Woodlawn, MD 21235
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Social Security Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.ssa.gov/careers/

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