PERSONNEL SECURITY SPECIALIST

Summary

Step into a career where your judgment protects the Nation. As a Personnel Security Specialist with DCSA Trust Decision Adjudications, you will tackle complex cases, influence high-stakes trust decisions, and help shape a stronger personnel vetting enterprise. Bring your analytical edge, lead change, and make a visible national-security impact every day. If you want purpose, challenge, and real responsibility, apply now.

Duties

This is a Term position Not-To-Exceed (NTE) one year, one day; The position may be extended, and may become permanent without further competition. Per DoDI 1400.25-V2005, term appointments terminate automatically upon the expiration date unless approval has been granted for an extension or the employee resigns or is separated at an earlier date. These appointments may be terminated at any time by the DoD Component. This position is an intermittent work schedule. As a PERSONNEL SECURITY SPECIALIST you will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Reviews and evaluates personnel security investigations, incident reports, and continuous evaluation alerts for derogatory information. 2. Research, interprets, analyzes, and applies various guidelines, policies, regulations, etc. 3. Determines or makes a recommendation whether or not the granting, denial, or revocation of a clearance is in the best interest of national security. 4. Under Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), the incumbent reviews security related information and makes a recommendation on whether or not an individual is eligible for access to DoD controlled facilities and information systems. 5. Determines the sufficiency of personnel security investigations. Resolves situations complicated by discrepant or insufficient data, evidence, or testimony by initiating requests for (any of the following): additional investigations, drug/alcohol evaluations; medical/psychological evaluations; credit reports; military records; and/or subject interviews. 6. Analyzes the results of subsequent investigations and makes a recommendation to grant, deny, or revoke a security clearance. 7. Documents all personnel security determinations or recommendations in the relevant automated information systems. 8. Uses computer software such as analysis tools to research and facilitate work. Keeps abreast of emerging technologies and professional developments to remain current in the field and for application to work assignments. Qualifications

The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: Security Administration Series 0080 for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 11/20/2026 Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade GS/GG-11 in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility. Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience. Specialized experience for this position includes: 1. Applying personnel security practices and procedures to analyze questionnaires to determine recommendations on issues concerning national security. 2. Managing projects and correspondence for Continuous Evaluation and Personnel Security adjudication initiatives. 3. Participating in briefings to provide guidance, resolution of adjudicative issues, and assurance of coordinated/uniform personnel security operations. 4. Communicating with security personnel, agencies and incumbents to ensure pertinent information is obtained in accordance with due process procedures. Specifically you will be evaluated on the following competencies: 1. Decision Making - Evaluates conflicting or incomplete case information, applies adjudicative guidelines, identifies appropriate actions to resolve issues, and reaches sound, supportable security eligibility decisions. 2. Personnel Security - Applies personnel security concepts, principles, practices, and applicable procedures to analyze and resolve routine, complex, sensitive, or controversial security eligibility issues. 3. Writing - Prepares clear, concise, accurate, and well-supported adjudicative correspondence and decision documents, including Letters of Intent, Statements of Reasons, and revocation or denial documentation. 4. Self-Management - Manages workload priorities, documents adjudicative actions accurately and timely, maintains accountability for case progress, and safeguards classified information and sensitive case material. 5. Flexibility - Adapts effectively to changing workloads, mission priorities, case complexity, policies, procedures, and personnel security requirements.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level. How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the SME Resume Panel review. Application Questionnaire: Applicants must complete a screen out questionnaire as part of the application process. Applicants identified as meeting the basic education requirement and minimum qualifications for the position may move on to the SME Resume Panel review. EXCEPTED SERVICE PILOT REVIEW: Once the application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. All applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation. Top ranked candidates will be referred to the selecting official for further review and consideration. A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified'. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. All eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Other Information

VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria. Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period. If selected, Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for a DCIPS excepted service positions. If selected, non-DCIPS candidates must acknowledge in writing that the position they have been selected for is in the excepted service and covered by DCIPS. All Defense Intelligence positions under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) are in the excepted service by specific statue, 10 U.S.C. 1601. This position is in the excepted service and does not confer competitive status. For more information on the DCIPS occupational structure click here. For more information about career advancement in DCIPS click here. This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment. You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position. As required by 5 C.F.R. § 302.106., DLA will provide Section 508 conformant ICT to employees with disabilities. All ICT interfaces with the public related to vacancy announcements and career transition opportunities must conform to the applicable requirements in the current ICT Standards and Guidelines (36 C.F.R. § 1194).