Personnel Security Specialist

Full Job Description

Security and Emergency Planning Staff (SEPS) provides security management to the Justice Command Center in support of law enforcement and national security programs.

This position assess the reliability, loyalty, suitability, and trustworthiness of those persons who have access to all types of Department information, resources, and material which could adversely affect the national security, the public welfare, or the efficiency of the Federal service.

To qualify for the position of Personnel Security Specialist, at GS-0080-11/12, you must meet the basic qualification and/or possess the required specialized experience specific to this series and grade you are applying for.

If you are a current of former government employee on a permanent appointment in the competitive service, you will need to demonstrate 1-year at the next lower grade level, to meet the time-in-grade requirements for this occupational series and grade.

You will need to submit a non-award SF-50.

For the GS-11: You must meet one of the following requirements: 1) Possess a minimum of one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service adjudicating background investigations for security clearances; conducts interviews relative to personnel security investigations; AND verifying information entered into a automated security adjudication system, such as NBIS/eAPP or any other personnel vetting system; OR 2) I have successfully completed a Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position.

(Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts).

For the GS-12: You must possess a minimum of one-year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service processing requests for security clearances up to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI); directing and coordinating investigations of applicants and employees to ensure security standards are met AND overseeing and determining compliance with personnel security procedures and requirements.

No education substitution available at the GS-12 grade level. You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by the 04/13/2026 of this announcement.

Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.

See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.

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

You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement 04/13/2026 to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application. Major Duties:

The duties and responsibilities for a Personnel Security Specialist, GS-0080-13 generally include, but are not limited to, the following: * Initiating, adjudicating, and processing employees and contractor background investigations.

* Adjudicates the results of background investigations to determine eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented information (SCI) access.

* Analyzes and resolves personnel security problems for situations involving conflicting or insufficient data, evidence, or testimony.

* Recommends approval/denials for interim security clearances up to Top Secret / SCI. * Processes pre-appointment waiver requests, identifies and resolves issues.

The duties listed above are generally written for one grade level.

If the position is advertised at multiple grades, the duties will be adjusted in difficulty, complexity, and level of supervision, for higher or lower grades, as appropriate.

Organizations may also add "other duties as assigned" once you are hired, based on what is included and allowed by the position description.