Lead Personnel Security Specialist — DISS/NBIS Expert

ARA; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Flexible spending accounts

Rewards & recognition

Work/life balance

Professional development

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) Raleigh seeks a Lead Personnel Security Specialist to oversee the PERSEC program under NISPOM guidelines. You will manage clearance processing, adjudication support, and compliance while guiding staff and stakeholders.

In this role, you will lead day-to-day PERSEC operations, ensure timely investigations, and coordinate with government customers. ARA emphasizes employee ownership and professional development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with 2–4 years in personnel security in cleared environments.
• Deep knowledge of NISPOM PERSEC requirements and adjudicative guidelines.
• Hands-on experience with DISS/NBIS and adjudicative workflows.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME for PERSEC activities including clearance initiation and maintenance.
• Oversee DISS/NBIS processing, investigations, eligibility updates, and VARs.
• Lead PERSEC team in workflow management, case review, and process improvement.
• Conduct QA reviews of clearance submissions and adjudicative documents.
• Interpret NISPOM/ICD guidance and DoD policies for personnel security actions.
• Coordinate with government reps, program managers, and HR to resolve clearance issues.
• Maintain records, metrics, and reporting for audits and leadership briefings.
• Provide training on clearance procedures and reporting requirements.
• Assist with security incident reporting and corrective actions.
• Participate in self-inspections and government assessments.

Skills

PERSEC expertise

DISS/NBIS proficiency

leadership

communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

DISS

NBIS

Access Commander

Job description

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) Raleigh seeks a Lead Personnel Security Specialist to oversee the PERSEC program under NISPOM guidelines. You will manage clearance processing, adjudication support, and compliance while guiding staff and stakeholders.

In this role, you will lead day-to-day PERSEC operations, ensure timely investigations, and coordinate with government customers. ARA emphasizes employee ownership and professional development.