Lead Personnel Security Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
FreshPosted Mar 11
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Posted: March 13, 2026 (0 days ago)
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PERSONNEL SECURITY SPECIALIST
Defense Information Systems Agency
Department of Defense
Location
Salary
$102,415 - $133,142
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Human Resources jobs →Closes
March 20, 2026More DOD jobs →
GS-12 Pay Grade
Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
Job Description
Summary
This job involves handling security clearances and background checks for people applying to or working at a defense agency, ensuring they are suitable for sensitive roles.
It includes starting investigations, reviewing forms for accuracy, and recommending decisions to leadership.
A good fit would be someone with experience in federal security processes who pays close attention to details and understands government regulations.
Key Requirements
- One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 level, such as processing background investigations or evaluating security eligibility
- 52 weeks of time-in-grade at GS-11 or higher for federal status applicants
- Ability to review personnel security questionnaires for accuracy and completeness
- Knowledge of security regulations for investigations and clearances
- Experience initiating and processing security clearance actions for civilians and military personnel
- Skills in determining applicant suitability and making recommendations
- Competencies in forecasting financial needs related to personnel security operations
Full Job Description
This position for The Defense Information Systems Agency is at Fort Meade, Maryland .
Time in Grade: For entry at the GS-12 level, status applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-11 or higher grade in the Federal Service.
Specialized Experience: For the GS-12, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable in difficulty and responsibility to GS-11 if outside the Federal service.
Specialized experience is defined as: Processing initial and periodic background investigations, OR evaluating security eligibility of individuals for entry and retention in sensitive positions, OR reviewing personnel security questionnaires for accuracy and completeness.
In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirements, qualified applicants must also possess the quality of experience as it relates to how closely or to what extent an applicant's background, recency of experience, education, and training are relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the announced position.
Candidates must clearly demonstrate the possession of competencies necessary to successfully perform the work of the position at the appropriate level to be qualified for the position.
Applicants must describe how their experience meets the competencies within the body of the resume. No separate statements addressing competencies are required.
Qualification and time-in-grade requirements must be met within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement. Major Duties:
- Initiates security clearance actions for applicants for entry into employment and for employees for retention in employment with DISA.
- Determines the suitability of applicants and makes appropriate recommendations to Chief of Security.
- Processes initial and periodic updates for Background Investigations for civilians and military personnel being considered for employment with DISA.
- When investigations are completed, ensures that all relevant information has been developed in accordance with requests and security regulations controlling the particular type of investigations.
- Aids the Chief, Security Operations Branch, in identifying and forecasting financial needs and problems for personnel security.
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