PERSONNEL SECURITY SPECIALIST

PERSONNEL SECURITY SPECIALIST

Department: Department of Defense

Location(s): Fort Meade, Maryland

Salary Range: $121785 - $158322 Per Year

Job Summary: DCSA's Personnel Vetting is looking for a dynamic Personnel Security Specialist to lead special projects and initiatives, performs special assignments, and develop work plans with milestones and goals. This role requires a change agent with the ability to conduct research, develop and recommend operational guidance solutions and maintain effective working relationships with multiple stakeholders. Consider DCSA, and be a part of America's Gatekeeper Team!

Major Duties:

• This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies and applicants may be selected to be placed into a pipeline for future vacancies. As a PERSONNEL SECURITY SPECIALIST you will be responsible for the following duties: Performing in-depth analysis and evaluation of Personnel Security Investigations, security files and other information. containing serious derogatory or extremely sensitive information impacting on initial or continuing clearance and access eligibility. Reviewing, approving and signing all divisional Statement of Reasons, intended to deny or revoke an individual's security clearance eligibility. Reviewing responses to Statements of Reasons and rendering adjudicative determinations on an individual's security clearance eligibility. Approving requests for additional investigations and responds to unusual and/or complex issues raised by Commanding Officers, Special Security Officers, Security Managers and/or individuals affected by the agency actions. Reviewing complex adjudicative decisions made by a large number of certified developmental and senior specialists whose sole purpose is to make security clearance eligibility and Suitability and Fitness determinations. Ensuring sound interpretation and application of Personnel Security Program policy and procedures. Responsible for favorable determinations of non-sensitive adjudications by established policy and law.

Qualifications: The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: Security Administration Series 0080 (opm.gov) 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 03/13/2026 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 GG/GS 12 in 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 the GG-13 position includes: Providing advice, guidance, and direction on a wide range of security, counter-intelligence, adjudications, and administrative issues; Providing a review on cases with significant derogatory information, preparing Letters of Intent to Deny/Letters of Intent to Revoke security clearances and/or assignment to sensitive and non-sensitive duties; Analyzing responses to Letters of Intent to Deny or Revoke Security Clearance and render adjudicative determination if the response mitigates the security concern or if the response does not mitigate the security concern; Preparing Letters of Denial or Letters of Revocation of Security Clearance; Evaluating reports by analyzing facts and performing appropriate research and preparing detailed responses. Specifically you will be evaluated on the following competencies: 1. Personnel Security: Apply personnel security principles and methods to process initial investigations, clearances, periodic re-investigations, and clearance upgrades/downgrades, suspension, revocations, terminations, reinstatements and to complete the adjudication, and appeals processes. Evaluate internal and external security clearance requests and ensures applicant's actions are consistent with regulatory requirements. Analyze and report on clearance and appeals findings to senior security officials and makes appropriate notifications. 2. Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity. 3. Interpersonal Skills: Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations. 4. Reasoning: Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions. 5. Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience.

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package as described in REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. Click 'Apply Online' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. 1. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents. 2. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application. 3. Applications must be received by the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire, please go tohttps://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12893015. To review the status of an application through USAJOBS: 1. Log into your USAJOBS account 2. Click Application Status within your profile to expand your application 3. Locate the job announcement and click the more information link under the Status column for this position. You will be routed to Application Manager. The Details tab displays by default. The Details tab displays comprehensive information about the selected Application Package including: assessment(s) and the status, supporting documents and their status, correspondence sent to you by the hiring agency, and your application processing status.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-13