Personnel Security Specialist

Personnel Security Specialist

Department: Department of the Interior

Location(s): Albuquerque, New Mexico

Salary Range: $106527 - $138486 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is part of the Education Human Resources, Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), Department of the Interior (DOI). As a Personnel Security Specialist you will be responsible ensure uniformity and fairness for all individuals that are required to have a background investigation and to determine suitability for employment.

Major Duties:

• As a Personnel Security Specialist, GS-0080-13, your typical work assignments will include the following under supervision: Conducts interviews and gathers critical information for adjudication decisions affecting federal employment, access to Indian children, and secure systems, while maintaining strict confidentiality of sensitive documents. Interprets and applies personnel security policies, adjudicates complex clearance cases, and provides guidance to Bureau staff and tribal organizations on character investigations and statutory requirements. Oversees investigation scheduling, tracks reinvestigation timelines, and ensures appropriate actions are taken on derogatory findings, maintaining compliance with federal regulations. Participates in team meetings to improve standard procedures, delivers Bureau-wide training, and drafts policy updates by analyzing regulatory changes and resolving legal or procedural conflicts. Represents the Personnel Security program in inter-agency settings, liaises with various agencies to promote cooperation, and ensures consistent application of federal security standards.

Qualifications: Applicants must meet the qualification requirements contained in the OPM Standards. For this position, they are listed below. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. GS-13: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service that includes: Initiates and reviews background investigations for applicants, volunteers, and contractors seeking access to BIE facilities. Analyzes and adjudicates investigation results to determine suitability for federal employment, and access to IT or classified resources. Complies with federal policies, procedures and regulation to support the personnel security program. Coordinates with federal agencies, manages sensitive documents, and ensures timely processing of investigations. Provides guidance, training, and technical assistance to Bureau staff and tribal organizations. Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year (52 weeks) of service at the next lower grade level. Learn more about what is time-in grade. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

How to Apply: A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE AND/OR EMPLOYMENT STATUS. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. If you are unable to apply online, require reasonable accommodation in the application process, or an applicant with a disability, please contact Sasha Lewis at (480)500-9537 or sasha.lewis@bie.edu for alternate application instructions. Notification to Applicants: Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration. Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur within 90 days from the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2025-12-23