Commodity Futures Trading Commission logo

Personnel Security specialist

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

Washington, DCFull-time$152–224K/yrPosted today

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At a glance

Compensation
$152–224K/yr
Location
Washington, DC
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Job overview

The Personnel Security Specialist works in the CFTC’s Security and Emergency Management Section, managing personnel security functions and programs. The role develops policies and controls, coordinates security activities across agency functions, advises leaders and staff, assesses program effectiveness, and represents the Commission in interagency forums. Candidates are evaluated on customer service, communication, teamwork, and personnel security competencies.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Customer ServiceOral CommunicationTeamworkPersonnel SecuritySecurity Clearance ProcessingInvestigations CoordinationPersonnel Security ComplianceSecurity Awareness TrainingPolicy DraftingIdentity ManagementPhysical SecurityContinuity of Operations

Qualifications

One Year Specialized ExperienceTop Secret SCI Clearance

Benefits

Relocation Assistance

Full job description

Summary

The Division of Administration (DA) directs the innovative internal management of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's business, human resources, financial, technological, security, and strategic operational resources. The Division's role is to effectively and efficiently ensure the fulfillment of the Commission's mission through continued success in continuity of operations. This position is located within the Security and Emergency Management Section, Business Operations Branch, in DA.

Duties

Manages and executes the full range of personnel security functions for the Commission, including suitability determinations, fitness determinations, national security eligibility decisions, reciprocity reviews, continuous vetting, clearance maintenance, and reinvestigation requirements. Develops, implements, and administers policies, procedures, and internal controls governing the Personnel Security Program and ensures compliance with personnel security standards and requirements. Administers programs supporting continuous evaluation, continuous vetting, and periodic reinvestigation of employees, contractors, consultants, detailees, and other affiliated personnel. Coordinates the agency's personnel security program with information security, physical security, insider threat, continuity of operations, emergency management, and identity management functions. Provides expert advice and authoritative guidance to senior leadership, managers, supervisors, Human Resources personnel, attorneys, and employees regarding personnel security requirements, suitability regulations, national security eligibility standards, and investigative procedures. Develops personnel security program metrics, conducts program assessments, and evaluates operational effectiveness to ensure compliance with federal requirements and best practices. Represents the Commission on interagency working groups, councils, and meetings concerning personnel security policy, clearance reform initiatives, reciprocity requirements, regarding security programs. Investigations, Adjudications, and Security Clearance Management. Requirements

The SME Evaluative Review. Subject Matter Experts (SME) will independently review your resume and other supporting document to assess how well your experience demonstrates the required competencies for this position. SMEs will assign scores based on the strength, relevance, and clarity of the information provided in your resume. These individual evaluations will then be combined to determine your final score or rating category. When the application process is complete, we will review your resume and other supporting documentation, to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this announcement. If you are found qualified, you may be referred to the Structured Interview process. Structured Interview: During the structured interview panel, you will be rated on your resume and other supporting documents in your application package. You will be rated on the following competencies (listed in the "Qualifications:" section) You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency (knowledge, skills and abilities) in the following areas: Customer Service-Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement. Oral Communication-Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed. Teamwork-Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. Personnel Security-Knowledge of methods and controls of personnel, and security operations; investigation and inspection techniques; or rules, regulations. Qualifications

CT-13 Level: To qualify for the CT-13 level you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS/CT-12 level). Specialized experience is defined that through which one has gained experience: Ability to 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. Develop and delivers personnel security awareness training, briefings, educational materials, and program communications. Ability to supports security awareness initiatives associated with Trusted Workforce 2.0, continuous vetting, identity management, and related federal security programs. Knowledge drafting policies, directives, and procedures supporting personnel security, physical security, continuity of operations (COOP), identity management, credentialing, and related security initiatives.

Education

There is no Education Requirements for this position. How You Will Be Evaluated

Your application will be evaluated and rated under CFTC Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the best qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Candidates within the best qualified category who are eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles. How You will be Evaluated: This recruitment will utilize the following assessment tools: Structured Evaluative Review Your application will be evaluated through an SME Evaluative Review. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will independently review your resume to assess how well your experience demonstrates the required competencies for this position listed in the "Requirements" section of this announcement. SMEs will assign scores based on the strength, relevance, and clarity of the information provided in your resume. These individual evaluations will then be combined to determine your final score or rating category. Quality Category Definitions: • Best Qualified – Applicants who substantially exceed the minimum qualifications and demonstrate exceptional proficiency across the core competencies. • Well Qualified – Applicants who clearly exceed the minimum qualifications and demonstrate strong competency across most areas. • Qualified – Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for the position. You may preview questions for this vacancy. Other Information

This is not a Bargaining Unit Position. Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid. Security Clearance: Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (T/S SCI) Probationary Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: Your performance and conduct; The needs and interests of the agency; Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. More than the number of positions listed may be filled through this vacancy announcement. The overall salary range is provided for informational purposes as it represents the full range that is applicable to current employees in this occupation/grade. A new hire's direct and overall experience are critical factors in determining a salary offer, therefore, it is important that your resume fully reflects all of your work experience. Note that the upper end of each range is typically applicable only to candidates with significant years of work experience and qualifications Please review the CFTC Compensation Program website for additional information. The law prohibits public officials from appointing, promoting, or recommending their relatives. The law prohibits requesting, making, transmitting, accepting, or considering political recommendations for employment or other personnel actions for non-political positions. This includes recommendations from Members of Congress, Congressional employees, elected state or local officials, and political party officials and any recommendation based on party affiliation.

How this job compares

Set against the 580 open Security Specialist jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 7, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$152–224K/yr
  • US median$81–116K/yr356 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $188K, is 91% above the US median midpoint ($98K) — in the top quarter of Security Specialist salary ranges across the US.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 28 open Security Specialist jobs in Washington, D.C. and 580 across the US. 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Washington, D.C.
Experience
This posting asks for at least 1 year of experience — less than three in four Security Specialist postings that state a minimum ask for (median 4 years, across 406 postings).
Education
105 of the 580 open Security Specialist jobs (18%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 7, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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