Personnel Vetting (PV) Specialist

Watermark Risk Management International, LLC; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer-paid medical insurance

Ample paid leave

Free employee assistance program

Competitive 401(k) savings plan

Job summary

Watermark Risk Management International, LLC is seeking a Personnel Vetting (PV) Specialist to provide personnel security program support. Your responsibilities will include processing vetting documents, evaluating individuals' backgrounds, and preparing detailed reports on eligibility decisions.

The ideal candidate should have at least three years of federal agency experience, strong skills with personnel vetting systems, and a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent expertise. The role offers substantial benefits, including 100% employer-paid medical insurance.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of experience providing personnel vetting support.
• Proficiency with personnel vetting systems like e-QIP/NBIS and DISS.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.

Responsibilities

• Process personnel vetting documents.
• Prepare reports recommending eligibility decisions.
• Communicate with stakeholders to provide support.

Skills

Customer Service

Critical Thinking

Analytical Skills

Microsoft Office Applications

Personnel Vetting Systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

e-QIP

DISS

DHS ISMS

Job description

Personnel Vetting (PV) Specialist

This role provides personnel security program support for the vetting, investigation, and adjudication of individuals seeking access to federal employment, national security information, or sensitive positions.

Responsibilities

• Process personnel vetting documents in support of investigations, adjudications, and continuous vetting (CV) alerts in accordance with federal guidelines and agency policy.
• Weigh an individual’s whole character and history to determine whether that person represents a risk to the federal service and national security, applying adjudicative guidelines across all relevant domains.
• Prepare comprehensive written reports on all pertinent issues, recommending and providing supporting rationale for granting, denying, or revoking eligibility in the appropriate domain (e.g., security, suitability, fitness, credentialing).
• Conduct in-depth analysis and evaluation of security files and source documents; evaluate information for authenticity and pertinence; identify potential risks arising from complex, incomplete, or ambiguous application data.
• Utilize personnel vetting systems including e-QIP/NBIS, DCSA CVS/PIPS, DISS, DHS ISMS, or similar agency platforms to process, track, and manage PV casework.
• Develop and maintain PV materials such as briefing slides, process guides, reports, and manuals using Microsoft Office applications, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and audience‑appropriate presentation.
• Communicate regularly with individuals and organizations internally and externally, providing positive customer service while effectively articulating sensitive issues regarding applicants and subjects of investigation.
• Refer appropriate cases to government sponsors for final action and coordinate follow‑up as required to support timely mission execution.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience providing personnel vetting support to a federal government department or agency, including one or more of the following:
  • Processing PV documents for investigations, adjudications, or CV alerts.
  • Providing adjudication support across national security, suitability, fitness, or credentialing domains.
  • Contractor adjudicators must provide a certificate of adjudication training issued by a government department or agency. Accepted certifications include:
    • OPM Fundamentals for Suitability and Fitness Adjudicators
    • DoD Adjudicator Professional Certification
    • U.S. Coast Guard Security Center Fundamentals of National Security Adjudication
    • Comparable government‑issued adjudication training certificates
  • Demonstrated proficiency with personnel vetting systems (e‑QIP/NBIS, CVS/PIPS, DISS, ISMS, or equivalent).
  • Intermediate or higher proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and DOD365.
  • Excellent customer service, interpersonal, and written communication skills with the ability to handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
  • Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills, including the ability to review complex or ambiguous data and produce clear, accurate written findings.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and three (3) years of directly relevant PV experience; or
• Seven (7) years of directly relevant PV experience (may substitute for degree).

Security Clearance Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Current Secret clearance eligibility required at the time of onboarding.

Desirable / Other Qualifications

• Experience with the Defense Information System for Security (DISS) or DHS Integrated Security Management System (ISMS).
• Prior direct support to DoD, DHS, or intelligence community personnel security programs.
• Familiarity with adjudicative guidelines under Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD) 4 or equivalent policy frameworks.
• Background in counterintelligence awareness, insider threat programs, or federal human resources security.
• This position is contingent on contract award.

Benefits

• 100% employer‑paid medical insurance.
• Ample paid leave.
• Free employee assistance program.
• Competitive 401(k) savings plan.

Multiple considerations are taken into account when determining the final salary/hour rate, including but not limited to, Contract Wage Determination, education and certifications, relevant work experience, related skills and competencies, and Federal Government Contract Labor categories.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Watermark is an equal opportunity employer. All terms and conditions of employment are established without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.