Personnel Security Specialist (Adjudicator)

Summary

The incumbent serves as a Personnel Security Specialist (Adjudicator) in the Adjudications Branch, Personnel Security Division (PSD), Office of Professional Responsibility and Security Operations (OPRSO). PSD is responsible for the implementation and oversight of ATF's Personnel Security. Since 1998, ATF has held the unique status of maintaining delegated authority, issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to conduct background investigations.

Duties

The major duties of the Personnel Security Specialist (Adjudicator) position include, but are not limited to, the following: Reviews information developed during a background investigation and Continuous Evaluation to determine if investigation and/or information is adequate and complete. Evaluates validity, truthfulness and relevance of personnel security data. Conducts review of information to recommend whether to grant, suspend, or revoke security clearance and/or access to the agency. Corresponds with applicants and employees to resolve suitability or security issues. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. Requirements

The requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Must be U.S. Citizen or National Selective Service: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov. May be required to serve a one-year probationary period. Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test. Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation. You must meet all applicable time-in-grade requirements by the closing of this announcement. Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines. MOBILITY PLAN: New employees hired pursuant to this vacancy announcement must sign a mobility agreement. The purpose of ATF's mobility policy is to enhance career development and progression, and achieve mission and business effectiveness. To accomplish these objectives, the mobility plan will facilitate the movement of employees through special short-term assignments or permanent reassignments throughout the Bureau. Applicants who decline to sign a mobility agreement, as required, will be removed from the hiring process. This is a non-bargaining unit position. Qualifications

To qualify for the Personnel Security Specialist (Adjudicator) position at the GS-9/11 grade levels, you must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Minimum Qualifications Specialized experience is demonstrated experience, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in resume. To qualify for this position at the GS-9 grade level, candidates must meet the following specialized experience by the closing date of this announcement. EXPERIENCE: Candidates must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience must include all of the following: Conducting continuous vetting record checks to identify derogatory information which may impact an individual's eligibility; AND Assisting in preparing reports such as adjudication summaries and entering personal data into security systems; AND Assisting and supporting in organizing, coordinating and controlling procedures for initiating, reviewing and recording of personnel security investigations. - OR - EDUCATION: Successful completion of a master's or an equivalent graduate degree, or successful completion of at least 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LLB or JD, if related to the requirements of the position. You must include transcripts. To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, candidates must meet the following specialized experience by the closing date of this announcement. EXPERIENCE: Candidates must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience must include all of the following: Conducting continuous vetting record checks to identify derogatory information which may impact an individual's eligibility; AND Utilizing knowledge of suitability factors and security adjudicative guidelines to prepare reports summarizing investigations, findings, and actions; AND Reviewing background investigation requests for accuracy and completeness and ensuring compliance with federal and agency regulations, standards, policies, and procedures. - OR - EDUCATION: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral degree, or successful completion of at least 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education toward either a Ph.D. or an LLM. You must include transcripts. 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 (10/13/2026) to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.

Education

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below. Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. Your transcript must come from a nationally accredited educational institution recognized by the Department of Education. If submitting a foreign transcript, you must have the transcript reviewed by an approved foreign education review organization recognized by the Department of Education. How You Will Be Evaluated

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. Once the announcement closes, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted by the HR Specialist. This information will be compared against your responses to the application questionnaire to determine your eligibility for Federal employment, and then whether you are qualified for this particular position. If a determination is made that you have inflated your responses when compared to your background information, you may be deemed ineligible. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. USA Hire: You will be asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments where you will be evaluated on critical competencies relevant to this position. You must meet all qualifications, including meeting or exceeding the cut score on the required assessments. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments. "The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment." You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Decision Making Teamwork Attention to Detail When addressing the specialized experience statement, applicants must present evidence of the experience in their resume. If the specialized experience statement is repeated in the applicant's resume, Human Resources will deem the applicant as ineligible. Other Information

Additional selections may be made from this announcement. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations from ATF's Human Resources Operations Division. Please click on the following link to read important information. DOJ Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; Be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility: Your separation notice or agency RIF letter from your agency OR if you have not yet been separated, you can provide the letter of intent to separate you from the agency because of reduction-in-force. A copy of your most recent performance appraisal and SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location OR Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal. Schedule A: You must submit "proof of a disability" documentation ("Proof of a disability" is a letter stating that you have an intellectual disability, severe physical disability or psychiatric disability). You must get this letter from your doctor, a licensed medical professional, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, or any Federal, state, or local agency that issues or provides disability benefits. For more information about Schedule A and verification requirements, please see OPM's Schedule A site. Military Spouses: Spouse on active duty: documentation showing 1) your spouse's active-duty status. Spouse who incurred a 100% disability because of the service member's active-duty service: documentation showing 1) the member of the armed forces retired, or was released or discharged from active duty, with a disability rating of 100 percent. Spouse killed while on active duty: documentation showing a) the member was released or discharged from active duty due to his or her death while on active duty; b) the member of the armed forces was killed while serving on active duty; c) proof of the widow or widower's marriage to the member of the armed forces; and d) a statement certifying that the individual seeking to use the authority is the un-remarried widow or widower of the service member. EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.