Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

If you are selected for the Personnel Security Specialist position you will perform the following duties:

• Reviews position sensitivity levels and works with Human Resources personnel, Bureau managers, CORS and staff to ensure that position sensitivity designations for existing and newly created positions are accurate, and that the positions themselves reflect accurate information;
• Formulates and recommends appropriate investigative requirements consistent with access and sensitivity needs;
• Provides security orientation briefings to new personnel;
• Conduct briefings/debriefings as required for individuals with security clearances;
• Coordinates the FTC's Personnel Security Program with the agency Information Security and Physical Security Programs;
• Creates and maintains written reports, spreadsheets, and other guidance materials on personnel security matters;
• Reviews investigation packages before submission to OPM, and acts as a liaison between FTC staff and the Investigation Service Provider on the status of background investigations;
• Evaluates completed investigative reports with minor to moderate issues to determine the adequacy and completeness of the investigation;
• Reviews, evaluates, and adjudicates reports of investigations with minor to moderate issues, reviews personnel files, and other material to determine an individual's suitability, fitness, or eligibility for a security clearance or to hold a sensitive position;
• Prepares written interrogatories to request additional information or to communicate the Statement of Reasons why employment cannot be offered, security clearances cannot be granted, or adverse action is being taken and considers the response;
• The work is performed in industrial and office settings and outdoor locations in the GPO Central Complex and adjacent areas provided by individuals;
• Prepares interrogatories to request explanation concerning discrepancies such as failure to list required information on investigative forms;
• Establishes relationships with external agencies and investigative entities to verify clearances or pass clearances for employees participating in external classified meetings;
• Reviews efforts by the Information and Technology Office to grant and terminate access to electronic information applications under established policies and procedures and reports findings to the Chief lnformation Security Officer;
• By such means as attendance at relevant seminars and training activities, maintains expert competence in matters related to personnel security; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
• Position is subject to a background investigation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
• The position may be subject to completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods are an extension of the hiring process.
• If selected for this position, the agency will evaluate your fitness and whether continuation of employment advances the public interest before extending your appointment beyond the one-year probationary period.
• Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply).
• This position is not in the bargaining unit.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Personnel Security Specialist at the GS-09 level, you must meet one of the following requirements:

You must have completed a completed a Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or have two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL.B. or J.D., if related.

OR

You must have at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: reviewing and processing requests for personnel security investigations; establishing policies and/or procedures for a personnel security program; creating and/or maintaining personnel security cases and/or rosters; and evaluating reports of investigations to recommend a final adjudicative determination.

OR

You must have a combination of post baccalaureate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category.

Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies.

Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies.

Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies.

Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference.

The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):




To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12993672.