Department of Education

Security Assistant, GS-0086-06/07, FPL 07 (MP)

Washington, District of Columbia Full time

Security Assistant, GS-0086-06/07, FPL 07 (MP)

Department: Department of Education

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $51957 - $75059 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is located in Office of Finance and Operations, Office of Security, Facilities, and Logistics Services, Personnel Security and Emergency Preparedness Division in Washington, DC. The Personnel Security and Emergency Preparedness Division is responsible for a variety of security related functions to include review of classified national security information related functions.

Major Duties:

  • APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 200 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 200th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first. We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application. As a Security Assistant, GS-0086-06, you will be responsible for: • Initiating Background Investigations for applicants, appointees, employees and contractors. • Evaluating the authenticity, veracity and pertinence of data to the case in hand. • Serving as point of contact for routine inquiries from other program agencies. • Researching and gathering data and correlating large amounts of narrative and statistical information. As a Security Assistant, GS-0086-07, you will be responsible for: • Reviewing requests for background investigations to ensure that all required information is provided; makes requests for missing information from the applicant or employee. • Initiating appropriate background investigations based upon position risk or sensitivity level. • Evaluating pertinent data in a background investigation to identify the presence or absence of derogatory information and, with more experienced Specialist, determine the impact of various kinds of (derogatory information on the granting, denying, or revoking of security clearances, or determine suitability for employment in sensitive, public trust, or non-sensitive positions. • Maintaining liaison with all levels of the agency, and other pertinent Federal agencies, in matters pertaining to personnel security or suitability. Serves as the first point of contact for the Office of Personnel Management, and other investigative agencies conducting background investigations.

Qualifications: Minimum Qualification Requirements You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-09, if you possess the specialize experience, education, or a combination of the two. Specialized Experience for the GS-06 One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-05 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments: 1. Experience reviewing initial employment background investigation forms for accuracy and completeness. 2. Experience in receiving and processing employment background investigation documents within timely deadlines. 3. Experience corresponding to the contractor, employee, and applicant employment background investigation related inquiries in a professional and courteous manner. Specialized Experience for the GS-07 One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-06 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments: 1. Experience in utilizing personnel security computer applications and resources to ensure regulatory compliance with security policies, programs, or operating instructions. 2. Experience in conducting employment pre-screening determinations by reviewing and evaluating criminal history, fingerprint results and/or complete background investigations. 3. Experience in evaluating suitability of security applications by obtaining arrest disposition information, analyzing case information, or composing documents regarding the issuance, suspension, denial and/or revocation of security clearances. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement). GS-06 1. Knowledge of the OPM e-Qip system; position risk and sensitivity levels as they relate to background investigations. 2. Knowledge of the Credentialing, Suitability and security clearance Decision Making Guide. 3. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing to present recommendations and coordinating efforts with Department staff. 4. Ability to analyze and make decisions using own judgment in any situation. GS-07 1. Knowledge of personnel security processes and of personnel investigations processing systems necessary to perform background investigations. 2. Ability to use analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to complete reports, accomplish projects, and evaluate results for the management and completion of programs. 3. Knowledge of a wide range of security specialties, concepts, principles, criteria, requirements, technology, and practices. 4. Skill in using computers and computer applications effectively to analyze and communicate personnel security related information in the appropriate forms.

How to Apply: Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov. Step 2: Create a resume using the USAJOBS resume builder. Ensure that your resume demonstrates your education, experience, training, and accomplishments as it relates to the qualifications for this position and substantiates your responses to the occupational questionnaire. Step 3: Upload any required documents into your USAJOBS account (must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX)). Step 4: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire and attach any required documents. Verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the agency's hiring system. You will have the opportunity to upload any additional required documents in the agency's hiring system. Click “Finish” to submit your application. NOTE: You may update your application or required documents at any time while the announcement is open by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking on "Application Status," clicking on the position title, clicking "Update Application,” and following the prompts. In order to receive consideration for this position, you must submit your complete application, including all required documents, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If the vacancy announcement has an application limit, we recommend that you submit your complete application at the time of initial application. We will not accept any required documentation after the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If you have any questions regarding submitting your application, please contact the HR Specialist listed under the Agency Contact Information.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-20