Personnel Security Specialist

Justice Management Division; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 82,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Justice Management Division in Washington, DC is seeking a Personnel Security Specialist (GS-0080-11/12) to manage background investigations, adjudicate results, and oversee interim clearances up to TS/SCI. The role requires strong data analysis, interviews, and use of automated vetting systems.

The position emphasizes compliance with security procedures and the ability to coordinate waiver requests while ensuring eligibility under federal standards.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience adjudicating background investigations for security clearances.
• Experience conducting interviews and verifying information for personnel security.
• Ability to verify data and ensure accuracy in automated vetting systems.
• Ability to determine eligibility for SCI access and security waivers.

Responsibilities

• Initiate, adjudicate, and process background investigations for employees and contractors.
• Adjudicate results to determine SCI access eligibility.
• Analyze and resolve security-related issues with incomplete data or conflicting evidence.
• Recommend approval/denials for interim security clearances up to TS/SCI.
• Process pre-appointment waivers and resolve related issues.

Skills

Background investigations

Adjudication

Interviews

Security procedures

Education

PhD or equivalent

LL.M. (related)

Tools

NBIS/eAPP

Job description

Summary

The SEPS is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining Department of Justice programs regarding personnel security, information, physical security, litigation security and emergency preparedness planning.

The position assesses the reliability, loyalty, suitability, and trustworthiness of people who have access to all types of Department information, resources, and material which could adversely affect the national security, public welfare, or the efficiency of the Federal service.

Duties

The duties and responsibilities for a Personnel Security Specialist, GS-0080-11/12 generally include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Initiating, adjudicating, and processing employees and contractor background investigations.
• Adjudicates the results of background investigations to determine eligibility for SCI access.
• Analyzes and resolves personnel security problems for situations involving conflicting or insufficient data, evidence, or testimony.
• Recommends approval/denials for interim security clearances up to TS/SCI.
• Processes pre-appointment waiver requests, identifies and resolves issues.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
• You may be required to complete a probationary or trial period. See "Additional Information" for specific details.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
• A USA Hire assessment is required. An email will be sent with additional information after you submit your application. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment.
• This position requires the incumbent to hold a security clearance at the Top Secret/SCI level.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience (GS-11)

For the GS-11, you must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-9 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service, which includes: Adjudicating background investigations for security clearances; conducts interviews relative to personnel security investigations; AND verifying information entered into an automated security adjudication system, such as NBIS/eAPP or any other personnel vetting system.

Education (GS-11)

A Ph.D. or equivalent degree or three (3) academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL.M. if related.

Combination of Education and Experience (GS-11)

Combinations of successfully completed graduate school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for a GS-11. Only graduate education in excess of the first two years may be used to qualify.

Specialized Experience (GS-12)

For the GS-12, you must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service, which includes: Processing requests for security clearances up to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI); directing and coordinating investigations of applicants and employees to ensure security standards are met AND overseeing and determining compliance with personnel security procedures and requirements.

You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by 11/09/2026 of this announcement.

Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made from this announcement.

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Probationary or Trial Period (as applicable)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government;
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

EEO Statement/Policy

The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here:

DOJ Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. The DOJ Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found here:

Selective Service: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at:

Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.

Note: In accordance with 5 U.S. Code 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act.

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.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Required Documents

It is your responsibility to carefully review the list of required documents below and submit the necessary documentation based on you eligibility.

• Official position title,
• Employer name and contact information,
• Start and end dates (including month and year),
• Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time,
• A list of duties performed and accomplishments.

If you are a current or former Federal employee:

• You must submit your most recent performance evaluation or appraisal, signed, showing your final rating. If a performance appraisal is not available submit a statement explaining why one is not available. Note: See

Due Weight for Performance:

• You must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal, and
• A list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. Due weight for performance applies to federal and non-federal work. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available.

If you are a qualifying parent or spouse:

• When claiming a Veteran's Preference, you must submit your last DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) form, specifically the Member #4 Copy, indicating dates and character of service and discharge type.
• If you are
• If you are the qualifying parent or spouse of a disabled, deceased, or deployed Veteran, and is seeking a derived preference eligibility, you must submit appropriate supporting documentation such as the Veterans DD-214, SF-15, VA Letter, and/or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders. See
• For more information on each type of Veterans Preference, and the documentation required for each, see

If you are applying for consideration under the Military Spouse Appointing Authority:

• Spouse of a member of the armed forces on active duty: documentation showing 1) your spouse's active-duty status and 2) your marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage certificate or other legal documentation verifying marriage).
• Spouse of service members who incurred a 100% disability because of the service member's active-duty service: documentation showing 1) the member of the armed forces retired, or was released or discharged from active duty, with a disability rating of 100 percent; and 2) documentation of marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage).
• Spouse of service members killed while on active duty: documentation showing a) the member was released or discharged from active duty due to his or her death while on active duty; b) the member of the armed forces was killed while serving on active duty; c) proof of the widow or widower's marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage); and d) a statement certifying that the individual seeking to use the authority is the un-remarried widow or widower of the service member.

If you are a person with a disability, claiming eligibility under:

• You must submit "proof of a disability" documentation ("Proof of a disability" is a letter stating that you have an intellectual disability, severe physical disability or psychiatric disability).
• You must get this letter from your doctor, a licensed medical professional, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, or any Federal, state, or local agency that issues or provides disability benefits.
• For more information about Schedule A and verification requirements, please see

Agency contact information

Kim Hall

Phone Email Address Justice Management Division, Security and Emergency Planning Staff

2 Constitution Square

145 N Street NE

Room 9W.300

Washington, DC 20530

US