Security Specialist (Direct Hire)

Security Specialist (Direct Hire)

Department: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Location(s): Greenbelt, Maryland

Salary Range: $70623 - $111087 Per Year

Job Summary: The Office of Protective Services, Personnel Security Division, is looking for a dynamic professional to join our team as a Security Specialist (Personnel Security). This role involves reviewing and submitting background investigations to the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), adjudicating fingerprint results, managing badge authorizations, determining reciprocity, and conducting background investigation adjudications.

Major Duties:

• Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
• Accurately conducts reciprocity checks for background investigation determinations.
• Verifies the appropriate level of background investigation being requested and ensures the position sensitivity/risk designation is appropriate and completed.
• Serves as National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) eApp reviewer/authorizer ensuring all new applicants/appointees complete eApp processing timely for release to the Investigation Service Provider for processing.
• Documents all personnel security determinations or recommendations in the relevant automated information systems.
• Independently adjudicates fingerprint results and apply applicable guidelines with sounds judgment and full documentation.
• Independently adjudicates low risk background investigations including cases with derogatory information and apply applicable guidelines with sounds judgment and full documentation.
• Manages workflow to ensure timely processing of cases and compliance with government performance and accountability requirements. Keeps team lead or management abreast of recurring problems or systemic deficiencies.
• Drafts detailed adjudicative summaries, Letters of Revocation (if applicable), or recommendations for higher-level review.

Qualifications: Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. To qualify for GS-09 level, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level: Assisting with background investigations assuring appropriate initiation, review, and authorization Working with customers requiring a background investigation and reviewing forms for accuracy and completeness Providing guidance to customers on submitting required documents for background investigations OR b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field OR c) Completed 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field OR d) LL. B or J.D, if related OR e) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c) and d) above To qualify for GS-11, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level: Reviewing background investigations reports, assisting with preparation of case summaries, letters of advisement, or letters of revocation in derogatory cases to address issues of concern Applying guidelines and information to make sound, well-informed, and objective decisions Communicating information in a succinct and organized manner and producing written information, which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience. OR b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field OR c) Completed 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in an appropriate field OR d) LL.M., if related OR e) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c) and d) above Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

How to Apply: Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application and have all required information available. We encourage you to provide a complete description of your educational achievements and include both paid and non-paid work in the experience portion of your resume. If you submit a resume that does not contain the required information, you may lose consideration. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: To begin the application process, you will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application process. Once logged in to your account, click on the "Apply" link. Follow the prompts to select your resume (2 pages or fewer) and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. Resumes longer than 2 pages will be rejected by the system. Resumes submitted via other document types will not be forwarded to the hiring manager, nor will they be used in the review of your qualifications. We strongly encourage you to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder when creating your resume. Using the resume builder will help you ensure your resume includes important information related to your qualifications and eligibility for this position. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. During the application process you can review, edit, delete and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. 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 vacancy questionnaire which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify all required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. NASA's online application process provides step by step guidance to ensure you provide all needed information. If you are unable to apply online, please contact NSSC-STAFFING@MAIL.NASA.GOV for assistance. Be advised - application materials faxed, emailed, and/or mailed to NASA Headquarters will not be accepted for this announcement. NASA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are an applicant with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact center listed on the job vacancy announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-04