Lead Personnel Security Specialist

Full Job Description

This vacancy is for a Lead Personnel Security Specialist position in the Census Investigative Services Division located at the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland.

The Census Bureau is accessible from the Metro Rail Green Line - Suitland Station.

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Lead Personnel Security Specialist, 0080-13, positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Specialized Experience: For the GS-13, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service.

Experience for this position includes: Preparing evaluations of investigations against national level criteria for investigative sufficiency and for suitability/security adjudication; Making final determinations for the issuance of security clearances or public trust certification based on information from referrals and background investigations; Evaluating security clearance access eligibility considering reports of background investigations and other legal documentation; Serving as a technical authority on the development and interpretation of personnel suitability and security guidelines, policies, and regulations.

Education: cannot be substituted at this grade level.

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. After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required.

You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement, 03/25/2026, to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application. Major Duties:

• Lead a team of personnel security specialists and security assistants in performing a full range of Personnel Security duties.
• Plan, direct, prepare and coordinate personnel and HSPD-12 security programs.
• Adjudicate complex issues and reports of investigation.
• Recommends final security clearance eligibility decisions on extremely sensitive investigative information involving highly complex and controversial issues.
• Maintain all case files in an electronic filing/database system, ensuring all components of the case file are uploaded correctly and case notes are clear and concise.