Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

Suitability Adjudicator

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania Full time

Suitability Adjudicator

Department: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

Location(s): Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Salary Range: $76446 - $119120 Per Year

Job Summary: As a Suitability Adjudicator with Suitability Executive Agent Program (SuitEA), you would evaluate and adjudicate suitability cases for federal employment, applying laws, executive orders, and regulations to ensure fair, consistent determinations that protect the integrity and efficiency of the federal workforce.

Major Duties:

  • Adjudicate Suitability Cases – Review investigations and referrals to determine suitability for federal employment, identifying and evaluating issues under OPM guidelines.
  • Draft Suitability Actions – Prepare correspondence, notices of proposed action and final determination letters for complex or contested cases involving unfavorable suitability actions.
  • Conduct Case Analysis – Analyze derogatory information, assess conflicting evidence, and apply relevant regulations, executive orders, and precedent decisions.
  • Provide Guidance and Support – Respond to inquiries from applicants, appointees, employees, agency personnel, and other stakeholders, as well as offer advice on suitability policies and processes.
  • Contribute to Program Initiatives – Participate in projects, policy development, and training to enhance adjudication consistency and government-wide reciprocity.

Qualifications: For the GS-11: Applicants must have one of the following: One year of specialized experience at the GS-09 level (or equivalent) performing all of the following: Applying and interpreting personnel security and suitability regulations, policies, and executive orders to review and adjudicate complex or sensitive cases. Evaluating and resolving issues involving derogatory information to determine appropriate suitability outcomes. Drafting and issuing final determinations and correspondence in cases requiring independent judgment. Providing advice and assistance to agency representatives and team members on suitability-related matters. A PhD or equivalent doctoral degree. An equivalent combination of specialized experience and education. For the GS-12: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level (or equivalent) performing all of the following: Applying and interpreting personnel security and suitability regulations, policies, and executive orders to review and adjudicate complex or sensitive cases. Evaluating and resolving issues involving derogatory information to determine appropriate suitability outcomes. Drafting and issuing final determinations and correspondence in cases requiring independent judgment. Providing advice and assistance to agency representatives and team members on suitability-related matters. Merit promotion applicants must meet the time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How to Apply: Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. 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: 1. Click the Apply Online button. 2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. 3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. 4. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. 5. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. 6. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. 7. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. 8. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. For more general information, system requirements, reasonable accommodation information, and to request assistance regarding the USA Hire Assessments, review the following resources: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_Assessments To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. You may preview the assessment questionnaire by clicking here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12832600

Application Deadline: 2025-11-26