Security ClearanceNot Required
Duties
At the full performance level, coordinates and carries out special projects and studies covering many areas of SSA's personnel security program.,Performs works of analytical, technical and advisory nature in connection with the goals of the agency's personnel security program.,Conducts special studies, projects or research work as assigned.,Participates in, and may lead, temporary self- managed work/project teams in Security and Resiliency, Personnel Security.,Coordinates and develops special reports involving difficult problems in personnel security areas and analysis programs and provides guidance as required to assure consistent approach.,Participates in a variety of studies, analyses and projects in personnel security related areas.,Prepares reports, replies to special correspondence and comments on matters relating to personnel security.,Briefs Personnel Security leadership members on any aspects of the work.
Qualifications
To qualify for this Personnel Security Specialist position, you must demonstrate: (1) at least 52 weeks of Specialized Experience OR (2) Optional Education (GS-09 and GS-11 only) OR (3) Combination of Specialized Experience and Optional Education (GS-09 and GS-11 only) Minimum Qualifications for GS-09: (1) Specialized Experience: At least 52 weeks providing administrative services related to Personnel Security and federal personnel vetting. This experience must have been gained in a federal position at or above GS-07 OR (for positions on another federal pay scale or experience outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level of responsibility and difficulty equivalent to GS-07. Work that demonstrates specialized experience includes: (1) applying analytical and problem-solving methods and techniques and (2) presenting findings or recommendations **If you have experience performing this type of work as it relates to Personnel Security, it must be clearly described in your resume, or it cannot be considered. (2) Optional Education: you must have a master's degree OR successful completion of at least 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent degree. (3) Combination: you must have a portion of Specialized Experience (i.e., less than 52 weeks performing qualifying duties) and a portion of qualifying Optional Education that can be combined to meet the full requirement. SEE EDUCATION SECTION BELOW Minimum Qualifications for GS-11 (1) Specialized Experience: At least 52 weeks providing advisory services related to Personnel Security and federal personnel vetting. This experience must have been gained in a federal position at or above GS-09 OR (for positions on another federal pay scale or experience outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level of responsibility and difficulty equivalent to GS-09. Work that demonstrates specialized experience includes: (1) applying federal rules, regulations and procedures (2) assisting with gathering, maintaining and analyzing data in areas such as federal policies, procedures, systems, etc. (3) using automated systems for gathering data, preparing documents or reports; and (4) assisting senior staff and employees with personnel security issues, inquiries, problems and complaints . **If you have experience performing this type of work as it relates to Personnel Security, it must be clearly described in your resume, or it cannot be considered. (2) Optional Education: you must have a Ph.D. or successful completion of at least 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. (3) Combination: you must have a portion of Specialized Experience (i.e., less than 52 weeks performing qualifying duties) and a portion of qualifying Optional Education that can be combined to meet the full requirement. SEE EDUCATION SECTION BELOW Minimum Qualifications for GS-12 Specialized Experience: you must have at least 52 weeks providing technical services related to Personnel Security and federal personnel vetting. This experience must have been gained in a federal position at or above GS-11 OR (for positions on another federal pay scale or experience outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level of responsibility and difficulty equivalent to GS-11. Education cannot be used in lieu of or in addition to Specialized Experience to meet Minimum Qualifications at this grade level. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Specialized Experience and/or Optional Education) must be met by the closing date of this announcement. If you have federal status and are applying for promotion, you must have at least 52 weeks at GS-07 (or other federal equivalent) for promotion to GS-09 GS-09 (or other federal equivalent) for promotion to GS-11 and GS-11 (or other federal equivalent) for promotion to GS-12 Time in grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
Applicants without the full amount of Specialized Experience can meet Minimum Requirements for this position with Optional Education. You must submit transcripts that fully support your claim or your education cannot be considered. Your transcript(s) must show your name, the name of the school, the program in which you were enrolled and the degree conferred. If you have attended more than one college or university, submit transcripts for all schools attended. TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE LEGIBLE DO NOT SUBMIT A DIPLOMA IN LIEU OF A FULL TRANSCRIPT THAT SHOWS THE REQUIRED INFORMATION. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered to satisfy 1 year of full-time study. Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. CHECK YOUR UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT TO CONFIRM IT SHOWS THE REQUIRED INFORMATION. You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail. Foreign Education: Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the education requirement, but you must also provide documentation that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of your appointment.
Other Information
WHO MAY APPLY: (1) ICTAP/CTAP (see Career Transition Guide) (2) Current Competitive Service / permanent OR conditional tenure (3) Former Competitive Service -- resigned or retired with (a) permanent tenure (separation at any time) (b) conditional tenure (separation within previous 3 years) OR (c) conditional tenure AND vet preference (separation at any time) (4) Current Excepted Service: (a) agency with competitive service compatibility (Foreign Service, US Postal Service, etc.) (b) agency with Interchange Agreement (c) Schedule A* -- block 5 of APPOINTMENT action shows Reg 213.3102(u) - must be in a competitive service agency, agency with competitive service compatibility or an agency with an Interchange Agreement (d) not described above but can demonstrate prior Competitive Service OR vet status (5) Former Excepted Service - must have prior Competitive Service (permanent or conditional tenure) OR vet status (6) Military Spouses -- see USAJOBS Help Center | Military Spouses (7) VEOA -- see USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans -- if you have non-qualifying Excepted Service and are an eligible veteran, you may use VEOA as your eligibility but still must provide documents demonstrating your Excepted Service status (e.g., current SF-50 / performance appraisal or separation SF-50). VEOA cannot be used to circumvent merit promotion requirements. VEOA applicants with federal status will be considered on federal status first and VEOA only if federal status cannot be used. Eligibility must be fully documented to receive consideration. If you are a federal contractor, do not identify yourself as a federal employee. OTHER NOTES: See QUALIFICATIONS and EDUCATION for information on qualifying for this position. See HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for information on applying for this position. This is a non-bargaining unit position to be filled under the provisions of the Management Officials Promotion Plan. The best-qualified list for this vacancy may be used to fill the same or similar positions in this office. Additional selections may be made within 6 months of the date the best qualified list is issued. This position is on a full-time, flex-time schedule and may be eligible for an Alternate Work Schedule (AWS). Telework may be approved after all conditions for telework have been met. This position is not authorized to be filled virtually or through outstationing. The Official Duty Station (ODS) for this position is Woodlawn, Maryland. To participate in telework, you must reside within a 2-hour commute to this ODS by the time of your appointment. Relocation expenses will not be paid; salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. Successful performance of work in this position and adherence to conditions of this position will be assessed during the 1-year probationary period served that may be served by new appointees (e.g., new to SSA and/or new to this series). This position is a career ladder leading to GS-12. This is a critical-sensitive position. You may be required to complete Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions, in order to have the appropriate investigation conducted. Position is assigned to: SSA Headquarters / Woodlawn, Maryland Security and Resiliency Personnel Security