Personnel Security Specialist

TSA (Transportation Security Administration); Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Transportation Security Administration seeks qualified candidates for multiple pay bands aligned with SV-F, SV-G, and SV-H levels. The role involves administering personnel security processes, evaluating investigations, and making eligibility determinations in line with federal policies.

Strong knowledge of OPM systems is required. Candidates must meet qualification requirements by the vacancy closing date and may come from federal service or equivalent private-sector experience.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience in personnel security policies and adjudicating background investigations.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance on personnel security policies and adjudicate background investigations.
• Render suitability/fitness and clearance eligibility decisions.
• Utilize OPM systems for security administration.
• Provide technical guidance on personnel security issues (grant/deny/revoke/suspend security eligibility).
• Manage security databases and prepare/maintain security incident reports.

Skills

Personnel security guidance

Background investigations

Security eligibility decisions

OPM systems usage

Education

Master's degree or 2 years of graduate study

LL.B. or J.D. (related)

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (related)

Three full years of graduate-level study

Tools

OPM systems

Job description

Securing Travel, Protecting People

- At the Transportation Security Administration, you will serve in a high-stakes environment to safeguard the American way of life. In cities across the country, you would secure airports, seaports, railroads, highways, and/or public transit systems, thus protecting America's transportation infrastructure and ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce.

To qualify for the SV-F Pay Band (equivalent to GS-9)

you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-E Pay Band or GS-7/8 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Experience providing administrative support for personnel security related tasks such as reviewing, initiating or adjudicating requests for clearance/security access for a federal agency or organization.

OR

Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree

or

2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree

or

LL.B. or J.D., if related.

To qualify for the SV-G Pay Band (equivalent to GS-11)

you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-F Pay Band or GS-9 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Experience providing guidance on personnel security policies including evaluating and adjudicating various levels of background investigations and rendering suitability/fitness and clearance eligibility decisions in accordance with federal policies; and
• Experience utilizing Office of Personnel Management (OPM) systems.

OR

Achievement of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field of study which is in or directly related to this position.

or

Three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.

or

LL.M., if related.

To qualify for the SV-H Pay Band (equivalent to GS-12)

you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-G Pay Band or GS-11 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as: Such specialized experience is defined as:

• Experience providing guidance on personnel security policies including evaluating and adjudicating various levels;
• of background investigations and rendering suitability/fitness and clearance eligibility decisions in accordance with federal policies; and
• Experience utilizing Office of Personnel Management (OPM) systems.
• Providing technical guidance on all personnel security issues to include request to grant, deny, revoke, suspend, or restrict security eligibility;
• Performing a wide variety of security administration functions (i.e. managing security database; preparing and maintaining security and incident reports; updating and maintaining security-related process guides and training materials).

Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.