PSYCHOLOGIST

US Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

US Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency seeks an experienced psychologist to advise personnel security specialists on psychological conditions and substance use, conduct evaluations and prepare specialized consultations for adjudicative staff. The role requires clinical/forensic expertise with security knowledge.

The incumbent will serve as a technical expert on risks for espionage, sabotage, or directed violence and will contribute to decision-making in sensitive security matters.

Qualifications

• Transcript submission required to determine eligibility.
• Specialized experience in psychological applications for security purposes.
• Experience equivalent to at least GS-12 level or higher in federal service recommended for grade placement.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychological evaluations for personnel security.
• Prepare specialized consultations for adjudicative staff.
• Advise personnel security specialists on risks related to espionage, sabotage, or directed violence.

Skills

Psychology expertise

Security psychology

Briefings to leadership

Forensic evaluation

Education

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology

Tools

OPM qualification standards

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.

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.