Personnel Security Specialist
U.S. Coast Guard
Posted: January 23, 2026 (1 day ago)
This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.
U.S. Coast Guard
Department of Homeland Security
Location
Chesapeake, Virginia
Salary
$90,838 - $118,092
per year
Type
Full Time
More Human Resources jobs →Closes
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).
This job involves reviewing and deciding on security clearances for Coast Guard personnel, including military members, civilians, contractors, and volunteers, while handling customer service and policy coordination to ensure national security.
A good fit would be someone with experience in security investigations and adjudication who pays close attention to details and can make tough decisions under pressure.
It's ideal for those passionate about protecting sensitive information in a government setting.
This vacancy is for a GS - 0080 - 12, Personnel Security Specialist located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S.
Coast Guard, OP LOC-ADJUDICATIVE SERVICES BRANCH -CG-DCMS-3421 in CHESAPEAKE, Virginia.
To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the federal sector.
Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.
Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.
Process security clearances as they pertain to military or civil service personnel, interim security clearances, personnel security policies, suitability, customer service, sensitive compartmented information (SCI), derogatory information and clearance appeals, accessions and reciprocity in order to make difficult adjudication and suitability decisions Determining eligibility for access to classified or sensitive information and granting personnel security clearances/accesses in the presence of minor derogatory information Responding to or resolving complex problem or questions involving Personnel Security and Suitability for service-related matters NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or related applicable assessment) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
NOTE: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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. Major Duties:
You will serve as a Personnel Security Specialist and be responsible performing security clearance actions for military, civilian (summer hires, interns/externs, volunteers, NAF employees), contractors, auxiliary and reserve personnel; provide customer service; and carry out varied functions in support of communications and records maintenance, quality control, and policy coordination elements of the Security Center, interim security clearances, sensitive compartmented information (SCI) access program, and HSPD-12 activities Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team.
Typical work assignments include: Evaluates the sensitivity determinations for each position Determines the suitability and security eligibility of individuals for entry and retention Makes determination to grant, deny, revoke, suspend, or restrict security clearances with national security and/or suitability issues Advises on personnel security and the impact of personnel security requirements on organizational missions Advises on procedures for adverse security determinations and employee rights Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.
Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.
Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis.
If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision.
You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement.
To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Reasonable Accommodation Information
Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes