Personnel Security Specialist - Entry - DC

Amentum; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Amentum is seeking a Security Specialist to support security assessment investigations, background investigations and continuous evaluation to ensure eligibility for employment. The role involves conducting interviews, reviewing FBI files, and drafting formal analyses for adjudication.

Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree with two years of experience (or an Associate’s with four) and possess a current Top Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• Requires active Top Secret US Government Clearance (US Citizenship required).
• 2 years of experience in personnel security investigative or investigative analyst field.
• Ability to critically review and analyze investigative reports to discern vulnerabilities and leads.
• Experience performing database checks and credit reports.
• Experience performing routine office administrative support functions.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint; internet research and open-source checks.

Responsibilities

• Support security assessment investigations from inception to completion.
• Perform interviews and render adjudication recommendations.
• Conduct FBI indices checks and analyze FBI government files for risk assessment.
• Prepare written reports and formal analyses of security concerns.
• Coordinate with FBI Field Offices and DOJ/IC officials as required.
• Assist with briefings/debriefings of cases and upload documents to official systems.

Skills

Analytical ability

Interviewing

Open-source research

Database searches

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree with 2 years experience

Associate’s degree with 4 years experience

Tools

MS Office

FBI files review

Job description

About Amentum

Amentum is a global leader in advanced engineering and innovative technology solutions, trusted by the United States and its allies to address their most significant and complex challenges in science, security and sustainability. Our people apply undaunted curiosity, relentless ambition and boundless imagination to challenge convention and drive progress. Our commitments are underpinned by the belief that safety, collaboration and well-being are integral to success. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, we have approximately 50,000 employees in more than 70 countries across all 7 continents.

Job Description

The PSS provides support for security assessment investigations, including background investigations, periodic reinvestigations, security clearances, employment suitability determinations and continuous evaluation of employees to ensure eligibility for employment

• Provides support and service to the administration of Security Programs by participating in the direction, from inception to completion of less complex security assessment investigations and rendering appropriate adjudication recommendations regarding the same.
• Conducts, reviews, and analyzes a variety of interviews internal and external to the organization.
• Provides support, analysis, and research into complex problems and processes relating to Personal Security.
• Completes written reports and/or oral presentations utilizing critical thinking and analysis skills.
• Contributes to development of new principles and concepts.
• Advises supervisor of potentially controversial matters or those matters with far reaching implications.
• Initiates or performs extensive FBI indices checks, arrest record checks, and the like to obtain pertinent and identifying information for the cases assigned.
• Requests, receives, reviews, and analyzes various FBI Government files and related material for determination of an individual's potential security risk.
• Summarizes data and composes necessary correspondence to appropriate Field Offices for initiation of investigation, outlining background of individual cases, advising information obtained from research and analysis and define security concerns.
• Issues guidance for the initiation of investigation, setting forth leads which are to be addressed in compliance with existing Federal standards and FBI policy. Forwards correspondence to the Government lead for approval before transmission.
• Coordinates with Field Offices for the submission of investigation information. Examines and critically analyzes investigative reports and correspondence from the FOs for conformance to administrative requirements as to format and content, and to ensure the investigation is adequate, denoted leads have been sufficiently covered, and procedures have been conducted in accordance with FBI regulations and policies. Notes inadequacies and transmits additional instructions to the field, recommending additional investigation and/or the elimination of unproductive procedures.
• Recommends the need for polygraph examinations and/or interviews based upon analysis of all data available. Composes appropriate communications to pertinent FBI HQ Divisions and Field Offices to initiate same, setting forth any specific guidance which should be followed (i.e., particular areas in question which need to be resolved; special qualifications desired of interviewer; etc.). Determination and resulting communications are subject to review and approval by the Government lead.
• Receives, reviews, and analyzes the results of further investigations, along with the results of interviews and polygraph examinations to ensure that all issues have been resolved, that gaps in information have been adequately covered, and that areas in question have been sufficiently addressed to efficiently and effectively help determine individual's recommendation for security clearance approval.
• Summarizes all data provided and developed in a formal written analysis of the security concerns and their resolutions, considering information developed.
• Establishes and maintains liaison with other FBI HQ Divisions, DOJ and other agency officials including members of the IC to obtain, develop, and/or resolve queries as required.
• Coordinates or works in concert with other FBI components as required to surface, develop, and resolve various issues encountered.
• Recommends new methods and procedures for passing and affirming clearances including SCI/Regulations, FISs, and/or EO and DOJ Orders.
• Performs security assessment investigations and provides recommendations to the FBI HQ.
• Reviews and analyzes requests for investigations concerning security clearances.
• Prepare a detailed analysis of all the information developed, to include potential remedial or precautionary actions to meet minimum security standards.
• Assists with briefings and debriefings of individual cases as necessary.
• Upload all official documents into the defined system of record, management, workflow, or tracking systems, files, and/or sub - files.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have an Active Top Secret US Government Clearance. Note: US Citizenship is required to maintain a Top Secret Clearance.
• Two (2) years of experience in the personnel security investigative or investigative analyst field.
• Demonstrated analytical ability to critically review and analyze various types of incoming material and investigative reports to discern potential security vulnerabilities and to identify viable investigative leads
• Experience conducting and interpreting database checks and credit reports.
• Experience performing routine office administrative support functions.
• Demonstrated analytical ability to critically review and analyze various types of incoming material and investigative reports to discern potential security vulnerabilities and to identify viable investigative leads.
• Proficient computer skills to include:
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
  • Use of the Internet to conduct research and / or open-source checks in aid of investigations
  • Experience performing database searches for information related to personnel security matters.
  • Responsibility for security of program data and materials.
  • Processing security clearance and BI documentation in preparation for adjudication.
  • Prepared documentation for Government agencies and customers.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience to conduct established Federal Government standards for investigations, BIs, and security investigations relating to suitability and security standards.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree with two (2) years’ experience OR Associate’s Degree with four (4) years’ experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of the following security – related / investigative guidelines:
• Federal Investigative Standards (FIS)
• Security Executive Agent Directives (SEADs)
• Executive Orders (EOs)
• U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (US CFR)

Work Environment

This position is performed in a traditional office environment.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand and/or walk; handle or feel objects; and write. Ability to bend, reach, lift, and carry up to 15 pounds.

Compensation Details

$70,000.00 - $75,000.00

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Benefits Overview

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
• Educational reimbursement
• Parental leave
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Tax-saving options
• Disability and life insurance
• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

Original Posting

09/02/2026 - 09/06/2026

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.