Personnel Security Specialist 2 - Adjudicator - "Remote in US"

Protection Strategies Incorporated; Oak Ridge, Town of Somers (TN, NY); Remote; USD 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Personnel Security Specialist II to support vital security operations. This fully remote role involves validating investigations, monitoring background checks, and ensuring compliance with security policies. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in adjudication, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic environment. Join a diverse team that values integrity and professionalism, and contribute to the mission of protecting critical assets and supporting essential infrastructure. This opportunity offers a chance to make a meaningful impact while enjoying competitive benefits and a supportive workplace culture.

Benefits

Medical

Dental Benefits

Vision Benefits

401(K) Retirement Plan

Tuition Assistance

Employee Assistance Program

Telemedicine

Commuter Benefits

HSA + HRA

Goodrx

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years experience in adjudication for the Federal Government.
• Successfully completed formal training for adjudicator certification.
• Experience in conducting database checks and credit reports.

Responsibilities

• Conducts background investigations and validates investigation needs.
• Reviews documentation for compliance with OPM standards.
• Makes adjudicative recommendations and conducts follow-ups.

Skills

Adjudication

Customer Service

Attention to Detail

Analytical Skills

Communication

Education

Formal Training in Suitability Adjudications

Experience in Adjudication

Tools

MS Office Suite

GSA USAccess System

OPM CVS

DCSA NBIS eApp

PIPS

Job description

Personnel Security Specialist II (PSS) - Adjudicator "Fully Remote in the US"

About Us:

Do you want to make a difference? Do you want to join a diverse team supporting a unifying mission? PSI is always looking to enhance its staff with professional, talented individuals.

PSI is willing to sponsor candidates for Top Secret Clearance (for specific jobs that require it)

Culture

PSI's success is driven by our motto "People First, Mission Always." We put people first, and this starts with our team members. We treat everyone on our diverse team with respect, and we work hard to ensure everyone's success by providing leadership, training, mentorship, and development opportunities. Our competitive benefits and culture of integrity, professionalism, and excellence attracts top talent in the industry.

Missions

Together with our federal partners, PSI is engaged in protecting critical assets by investigating and adjudicating personnel for secure and sensitive programs, protecting the resiliency of the Nation's essential infrastructure, and supporting the safe placement of unaccompanied refugee minors. We support the mission of our customers through trusted partnerships and by creating tailored solutions that meet their needs and overcome the challenges created by the ever-evolving landscape.

Workforce Diversity

PSI has achieved and maintains one of the most diverse workforces in the country. 56% of our workforce is ethnically diverse and 53% of our workforce are women. This extends to our leadership team as well. 56% of our leadership team is ethnically diverse and 50% of our leadership team are women. At PSI, we do not talk about doing the right thing, we just do it.

About the role:

This individual supports the Office of Security Services, Personnel Security Operations Branch providing administrative and technical support for a staff engaged in personnel security and suitability operations and assuring the implementation and compliance with security and suitability programs, policies, and requirements. In addition, this position is responsible for first-level adjudicative recommendations on both interim and final decisions, as well as quality review of work products of lower-level specialists and assistants.

Responsibilities:

• Validates the need for investigation by conducting a check of the OPM CVS.
• Establishes, reviews, and monitors background investigation accounts, and information in the DCSA NBIS eApp system.
• Identifies where reciprocity may be accepted in processing based on PERSEC community and client policies.
• Initiates background investigations at the correct tier based on the risk/sensitivity level of the position in the DCSA NBIS eApp system.
• Creates security and/or suitability files for applicants or contractors; organizes records; maintains files; and collates documents in support of the client background investigation process.
• Utilizes the GSA USAccess system to sponsor individuals for HSPD-12 PIV credentials to grant logical and physical access to client facilities and allow enrollment of fingerprints for criminal history records checks.
• Subject to review by client personnel, and pursuant to protocols and processes approved by client personnel, the individual's specific duties are as follows:

• Conducts pre-employment inquiries as necessary to resolve issues.
• Contacts other personnel security operations and documents the reason for a "please call" designation in CVS.
• Conducts status checks on background investigations utilizing the automated OPM Personnel Investigations Processing System (PIPS).
• Assists in training staff.
• Reviews the entire case file and makes a suitability/fitness recommendation based on the criteria found in the OPM Suitability Processing Handbook.
• Reviews all required documentation to ensure they are complete and accurate and that the information in all documents and case papers, hard copy or electronic, meets OPM standards for case scheduling.
• Conducts telephone and written inquiries in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974.
• Conducts Subject contact in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and obtains written statements when required.
• Conducts post-investigation follow-up necessary for issue resolution and adjudication.
• Utilizes case management systems to document adjudicative recommendations as appropriate.
• Completes adjudicative recommendations within established time frames.
• Drafts correspondence in the form of Letters of Interrogatory, Adjudicative Worksheets, and Notices of Proposed Action.
• Conducts inventory and quality checks on pending Report of Investigation (ROI).
• Reports results of adjudication as required by client internal policy.
• Must have applied knowledge of GSA PIV card processing system, USAccess.
• Must have applied knowledge of Trusted Workforce.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• A minimum of two years of experience in adjudication rendering suitability and fitness recommendations on behalf of the Federal Government.
• Have successfully completed formal training in suitability adjudications towards adjudicator certification in compliance with National Training Standards established by OPM.
• Conducted first and second level and/or quality review of others making suitability or fitness recommendations.

• Experience conducting and interpreting database checks and credit reports.
• Three to four years of experience providing professional and competent customer service, working with customers by phone, by email, and in person.
• Ability to pay strict attention to detail to ensure data errors are minimized.
• Ability to apply analytical security processes and procedures with assigned tasks in a timely manner or as requested.
• Ability to perform and adapt in a high tempo, fast paced and fluid security environment.
• Experienced in the adjudication of complex and multi-issue cases.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing to elicit detailed information from a variety of sources necessary to evaluate an individual's conduct and character.
• Demonstrated practical knowledge of commonly applied personnel security and suitability principles, concepts, and methodologies in carrying out a variety of support assignments.
• Ability and willingness to learn the basic functions and operations of all systems associated with personnel security processing.
• Must possess and demonstrate an applied knowledge of utilizing the General Services Administration USAccess system to sponsor individuals for HSPD-12 PIV credentials to grant logical and physical access to client facilities and allow enrollment of fingerprints for criminal history records checks.
• Must possess a favorably adjudicated background investigation completed within the last five years at the BI, Tier 4 level or SSBI, Tier 5 level; and be able to maintain the favorable result throughout employment on the contract.

Company Benefits/Perks:

• Medical
• HSA + HRA
• Goodrx
• Telemedicine
• Dental Benefits
• Vision Benefits
• Basic and Voluntary Life and Ad&D

• Disability Products
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(K) Retirement Plan
• Commuter Benefits
• Financial Advisor
• Tuition Assistance

EEO Statement:

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status. Employment offers will be contingent on passing a pre-employment drug screen.