Personnel Security Specialist II

ISI; Reston (VA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ISI is seeking a PERSEC Specialist II to manage complex personnel security actions, incident handling, and client advisory support. You will focus on security inquiries, investigations, special access coordination, and ensuring compliance across client organizations.

The role requires experience with security systems and processes, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work in a hybrid remote setting. A U.S. Citizenship is required and a Secret clearance is preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum two (2) years administrative, help desk, or related experience.
• One (1) year or more of personnel security experience.
• Experience supporting FSOs/AFSOs or industrial security programs.
• Familiarity with NISS, DISS, NBIS, eApp, and DCSA processes.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.
• Strong organizational skills and deadline management.
• Experience using ticketing/service management platforms (e.g., HaloPSA).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams).
• Commitment to required security training (CDSE/STEPP).

Responsibilities

• Oversee and maintain personnel security data across systems (DISS, ACCS, NBIS).
• Process clearance nomination packages (Public Trust and SCI as needed).
• Serve as primary client contact for personnel security inquiries.
• Provide guidance on security requirements and compliance expectations.
• Support government communications related to personnel security matters.
• Investigate security incidents and prepare required reports.
• Track and support incident resolution to ensure compliance and risk mitigation.
• Process foreign travel notifications and adverse information disclosures.
• Coordinate badge requests, CAC docs, and facility access paperwork as required.
• Assist with Insider Threat Program reporting and related concerns.
• Support DD254 reviews, self-inspections, and audit-ready documentation.
• Provide security training and guidance to FSOs, ITPSOs, security staff, and clients.
• Escalate complex issues to Facilities or PMO/Compliance as needed.

Skills

Administrative experience

Security experience

Ticketing system

Microsoft Office

Regulatory knowledge

Organizational skills

Client communications

Training completion

Secret clearance eligibility

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Tools

HaloPSA

DISS

NBIS

eApp

DCSA processes

Job description

PERSEC Specialist II

Location: Hybrid; Remote

Work Authorization: U.S. Citizenship required

Position Summary

The PERSEC Specialist II is responsible for managing complex personnel security actions, incident handling, and client advisory support. This role focuses on security inquiries, incident investigations, special access coordination, and ensuring compliance with personnel security requirements across client organizations.

Key Responsibilities

Personnel Security Systems & Record Management

• Oversee and maintain accuracy of personnel security data across DISS, ACCS, NBIS and internal systems
• Process clearance nomination packages, including Public Trust and SCI (as required)

Security Inquiries & Client Support

• Serve as a primary point of contact for personnel security inquiries from clients
• Provide guidance on personnel security requirements, processes, and compliance expectations
• Support government communications related to personnel security matters

Incident Management & Reporting

• Investigate security incidents and violations involving personnel
• Conduct administrative inquiries (AI) and prepare required reports
• Track and support resolution of incidents to ensure compliance and risk mitigation
• Receive, review, document, and process foreign travel notifications in accordance with customer and regulatory requirements.
• Receive, document, evaluate, and route self-reports and adverse information disclosures in accordance with established procedures.
• Support Insider Threat Program reporting requirements and coordinate personnel security concerns with designated internal and external personnel.

Special Access & Coordination

• Support special access requests, courier authorizations, and related activities
• Coordinate with internal teams and external agencies as required
• Process and coordinate badge requests, access authorizations, CAC-related documentation, and facility access paperwork as required.
• Coordinate polygraph scheduling, notifications, documentation, and status tracking with appropriate government agencies.
• Assist client personnel with PKI certificate issues, authentication requirements, and access-related security systems as required.

Compliance & Oversight

• Assist Facilities and PMO/Compliance teams in ensuring personnel-related compliance with NISP requirements
• Assist with DD254 reviews, updates, tracking, and personnel security-related requirements associated with classified contracts.
• Support self-inspections and identify vulnerabilities related to personnel security
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and records
• Provide personnel security training, awareness briefings, and procedural guidance to FSOs, ITPSOs, security staff, and client representatives.

Internal & Client-Facing Support

• Provide higher-level support to Facilities, PMO/Compliance and junior staff
• Serve as escalation point for complex personnel security issues
• Serve as a backup resource for PERSEC 1 functions, providing guidance, workload support, and direct execution of personnel security actions during periods of increased demand or operational necessity.
• Assist other pillars teams as needed
• Escalate actions that require deeper review or specialist judgment to the Facilities or PMO/Compliance coworkers or PERSEC 2 Lead as required

Performance Expectations

• Manage complex and sensitive personnel security actions with accuracy
• Provide timely, clear responses to client inquiries
• Effectively investigate and resolve incidents with minimal escalation
• Maintain high-quality, audit-ready records across all personnel systems

Qualifications:

Required

• Minimum two (2) year of administrative, help desk, customer service, personnel security, industrial security, or related experience.
• One (1) year or more of personnel security, industrial security, facility security, or related security experience.
• Experience supporting Facility Security Officers (FSOs), Assistant Facility Security Officers (AFSOs), or industrial security programs.
• Familiarity with NISS, DISS, NBIS, eApp, and DCSA processes
• High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED).
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, maintain accurate records, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience using a ticketing and service management platform (e.g., HaloPSA or similar) to manage service requests, document activities, communicate with clients through the system, and ensure timely and accurate resolution of issues.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams.
• Ability to learn and apply government security regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Must complete required CDSE/STEPP training within designated timeframes, including:
  • FSO Program Management for Possessing Facilities curriculum (within 6 months of employment)
  • Establishing an Insider Threat Program training
  • Insider Threat Awareness training
  • Personally Identifiable Information (PII) training
  • Cyber Awareness training
  • CUI Training

Preferred

• Current or previous eligibility for a U.S. Government security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Criminal Justice, Security Management, or a related field.
• Background in analytics, business operations, compliance management, records management, or process improvement.
• Comfort utilizing AI tools such as ChatGPT or Claude to improve reporting, workflow design, SOP creation, onboarding processes, and operational efficiency.

What Success Looks Like

• Complex and escalated personnel actions are resolved accurately and within service expectations
• Client inquiries receive timely, clear, and compliant responses
• Incidents are investigated thoroughly and closed with minimal further escalation
• Records across all personnel systems remain accurate, complete, and audit-ready
• Maintains exceptional attention to detail by ensuring client deliverables, compliance records, and operational activities are consistently accurate, complete, and audit-ready, while proactively identifying and correcting issues before they impact performance or compliance.