Psychologist

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA); Andover (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is seeking a psychologist to advise personnel security specialists on psychological conditions and substance use, conduct high-volume evaluations, and prepare specialized consultations for adjudicative staff.

You will serve as a technical expert on risks for espionage, sabotage, or directed violence, with duties including report preparation and training across government teams.

Qualifications

• Clinical psychology training required for grades GS-11 and above.
• Transcripts required to confirm qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Conduct high-volume psychological evaluations for security and suitability.
• Provide consultations to adjudicators and attorneys on psychological conditions of concern.
• Review and co-author adjudicative reports with medical professionals.
• Prepare concise reports for security leadership based on psychological principles.
• Review work products of colleagues for accuracy and contract compliance.
• Deliver trainings, research presentations, or orientations to relevant groups.
• Support branch productivity and ensure adherence to standards.

Skills

Psychology knowledge

Planning & evaluation

Reasoning

Education

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology

Job description

Trust Decision's Behavioral Science Division is seeking an experienced psychologist to advise personnel security specialists on psychological conditions/substance use. You will conduct psychological evaluations, prepare specialized consultations for adjudicative staff, and serve as a technical expert on risks for espionage, sabotage, or directed violence. This is a unique opportunity for clinical/forensic psychologists with extensive knowledge of personnel security issues.

This announcement is open to:

All U.S. Citizens; Retained Grade Preference (RGP) eligibles, and Military Reserve and National Guard Technician eligibles may also apply.

Telework eligible

Yes—as determined by the agency policy.

3 vacancies in the following locations:

• Andover, MA
• Farmers Branch, TX
• Fort Meade, MD

Duties

As a PSYCHOLOGIST you will be responsible for the following duties:

As a PSYCHOLOGIST you will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Independently conducts high-volume psychological evaluations (averaging at least 150 annually) for national security and suitability purposes, utilizing clinical interviews and behavioral health records to identify potential security, counterintelligence (CI), or insider risk concerns.

2.Consults and communicates directly with other psychologists, personnel security adjudicators, attorneys and supervisors on psychological conditions and behaviors of concern which may be relevant to personnel security.

3. Reviews reports created by the evaluating health care professional to ensure these reports meet adjudicative readiness, communicating directly with medical professionals to collaboratively resolve ambiguities or lack of specificity in received work products.

4. Creates concise and informative reports for personnel security professionals, insider risk professionals, and security leadership based on an expert level knowledge of psychological principles.

5. Reviews work products of allied professionals, such as personnel security specialists and consulting and embedded psychologists for technical accuracy and professional sufficiency; works with leadership to rectify defects and ensure contract compliance.

6. Provides trainings, research presentations, or orientations to work groups within Trust Decision Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, Department of War and other United Stated Government and professional agencies, alone or in coordination with personnel security specialists.

7. Provides professional support to ensure branch-wide productivity of adjudicators, psychologists and other branch members meet Trust Decision (Adjudications) and DCSA standards

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a US citizen
• Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. For more information http://www.sss.gov
• Resume and supporting documents received by 11:59PM EST will be considered
• This is a Drug Testing designated position
• Position is a (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 1601
• Work Schedule: Full Time
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• PCS (Permanent Change of Station): Not Authorized
• Telework Eligibility: Supervisors may approve situational telework on a case-by-case, temporary basis for limited situations.
• Must be a licensed clinical psychologist in a US state or territory.
• Relocation incentive may be authorized for highly qualified applicants.

Qualifications

This position has a Basic Requirement for the 0180:

Clinical psychology: For positions at grades GS-11 and above, satisfactory completion of all the requirements for the doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) directly related to full professional work in clinical psychology is required.

*NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/psychology-series-0180/ for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 09/24/2026

Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position.

You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade GS/GG-12in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility.

Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience.

Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Extensive familiarity with psycho-pharmacology and other psychological treatments;
• Working knowledge of psychopathology including personality disorders and substance use disorders;
• Providing briefings on psychologically relevant topics to a variety of audiences, including senior leaders; and
• Conducting, supervising or reviewing psychological evaluations for security purposes or other forensic/clinical evaluations.

Specifically you will be evaluated on the following competencies

1.Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance in various contexts, mental processes, or the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

2.Planning and Evaluating - Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.

3.Reasoning - Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.