Personnel Security Specialist Grade 3

Protection Strategies Incorporated; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(K) Retirement Plan

Tuition Assistance

Employee Assistance Programs

Job summary

A service-disabled veteran-owned small business is seeking a Personnel Security Specialist III in Washington, D.C. This role involves managing background investigations and security clearances for federal and contractor employees. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and at least five years of experience in personnel security or Federal Law Enforcement, alongside a Top Secret clearance. Join our mission-driven culture to help safeguard national interests!

Qualifications

• 5 years experience in personnel security or Federal Law Enforcement.
• Experience writing Reports of Investigation.
• Top Secret security clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Review investigation request documentation for accuracy.
• Initiate paperwork for background investigations.
• Conduct security briefings and interviews.

Skills

Analytical ability

Critical thinking

Interview techniques

Report writing

Experience with background checks

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Associate's Degree

Job description

Join Our Team as a FBI - Personnel Security Specialist III!

Protection Strategies, Inc.

Who We Are

At Protection Strategies, Inc. (PSI), a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, we engage with industry professionals to provide top-tier security solutions and personnel security expertise for the U.S. Government. Our mission is to safeguard our clients' interests with integrity and innovation, reshaping the landscape of security.

Why PSI?

Become part of a dedicated team that values people first and believes in making a meaningful impact. We offer cutting-edge solutions that promote safety and protect critical infrastructure. Your hard work will be recognized in our mission-driven culture.

Apply now to join PSI and help shape a safer future!

What We Offer

• Financial Support: 401(K) Retirement Plan, Tuition Assistance, Disability Products
• Wellness Programs: Employee Assistance, GoodRx, Commuter Benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts: HSA + HRA

Position Overview

The Personnel Security Specialist reviews investigation request documentation for accuracy and completeness and processes e‑QIP packets for federal and contractor employees. They initiate the paperwork for background investigations, review the information submitted by the applicants, correspond with the applicants for clarifying information, are responsible for data entry requirements associated with each record, making case files, forwarding cases for processing, and submit the e‑QIP packet to be reviewed and forwarded to OPM.

Key Responsibilities

• With minimum direction, provide supporting research and analysis into complex problems and processes.
• Provide critical thinking and analysis utilized for completion of written documentation and oral presentations.
• Apply extensive experience and full knowledge of security disciplines.
• Review and analyze requests for investigations concerning security clearances, reciprocity, requirements, violations, and assessments. Subjects of the investigations range from on‑board employees, contract / access applicants and other personnel requiring security clearances or access to FBI facilities.
• Review and analyze various FBI investigative files and related material to determine and extract all possible identifying information, matching records, questionable or overlapping elements and other areas of investigative consideration, which could have a bearing on an individual's reliability, trustworthiness, and loyalty.
• Examine and analyze material to determine any deliberate misrepresentation of facts, criminal or immoral conduct, any signs of mentally disabling illness, sympathetic association with hostile intelligence individuals / organizations and facts or fragments of information which furnish reason to sustain suspicion that the subject may be a possible security risk.
• Conduct Personnel Security Interviews (PSIs) as determined during the course of the security investigation, in conjunction with information developed or per the request of FBI HQ.
• Prepare a detailed analysis of all information developed, supporting analysis and recommendations to initiate further investigation, and any additional security concerns and recommendations based on this information, which would include remedial or precautionary action to meet minimum security standards. Ensure that all relevant information and justification is developed and properly considered in accordance with security policies and FBI regulations.
• Conduct security briefings which include Security Awareness and Hostile Threat. Revise security briefings based on the specific issues developed and security requirements.
• Assist in conducting preliminary and final reviews of statements of personal history and related data prior to the initiation of background investigation procedures.
• Conduct BIs of individuals who would occupy positions where a determination of suitability for employment or access to classified information is required.
• Prepare reports on investigations resulting from interviews conducted during BIs.
• Draft summary sheets on the results of investigations for all assigned cases. In case of derogatory information, draft a detailed evaluation of the adverse information.
• When information is insufficient to make a recommendation regarding the disposition of the case, draft a list of recommended questions for lines of inquiry for follow‑on investigations.
• Assist in making recommendations for adjudication of personal background investigations for employment with the FBI and / or issuance of a security clearance.
• Review Personnel Security Questionnaires (SF‑86 and SF‑85P)
• Verify information submitted on applications
• Contact subjects via approved methods to complete information on background investigation forms
• Input data from MAC applications
• Retrieve data from credit bureaus, request Local Agency Checks, review reports to determine criminal record, traffic violations, etc.
• Prioritize assignments and create schedules to meet deadlines.
• Use advanced interview skills to work with subjects to gather more in‑depth details relating to their backgrounds.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and five (5) years of experience in the personnel security investigative or investigative analyst field or Federal Law Enforcement or an Associate's degree with (7) years of experience in the personnel security investigative or investigative analyst field or Federal Law Enforcement field.
• Experience developing and writing Reports of Investigation that form the basis for creation of investigative and / or adjudication record.
• 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.
• Experience interpreting Governmental and commercial database checks to identify areas of concern during the investigative process.
• Experience analyzing investigative reports and other sources of information to identify security vulnerabilities; to develop investigative leads; to propose a recommendation as to the approval, denial, or revocation of eligibility for access to national security information based on the application of the appropriate adjudicative standards.
• This position requires a Top Secret security clearance and capability of attaining SCI access that includes a requirement to pass a security CI polygraph exam.

Desired Attributes

• Knowledge of DOJ and FBI regulations regarding the personnel security process.
• Experience conducting interviews and security briefings, discussing analysis and opinion in a concise, logical and objective manner, and preparing written communications setting forth analyses and recommendations.
• Thorough knowledge of the indices systems, various record check systems, and file review processes to develop and extract the most complete and accurate information relative to the subject as possible.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status. We actively support diversity in our hiring practices. Employment offers will be contingent on passing a pre‑employment drug screen.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now to join PSI and help shape a safer future!