Adjudicator - Entry to Mid-Level (Maryland)

National Security Agency/Central Security Service

$57K — $133K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or higher with relevant experience; entry positions available with HS diploma and relevant experience.
  • Experience in adjudication, personnel security, physical security, counterintelligence, anti-terrorism, analysis, investigation, or auditing.
  • Entry level requires 0-4 years of experience, while full performance level requires up to 7 years depending on education.
  • Must successfully complete a security background investigation and polygraph.
  • Must demonstrate commitment to upholding U.S. laws and governance.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct security adjudication processes to evaluate eligibility for classified information access.
  • Coordinate security clearance processes, including vetting and access control.
  • Make final security clearance determinations based on established personnel security regulations.
  • Evaluate investigative reports and apply adjudicative guidelines for decision-making.
  • Mitigate serious derogatory information through comprehensive case evaluation and analysis.
  • Review case files for discrepancies and areas requiring further investigation.
  • Author detailed documentation to support eligibility determinations for access to classified information.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive federal benefits package for employees and families.
  • Flexible work schedule, with core hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Training provided based on selectee's needs and experience.
  • Two-year trial period for successful candidates to evaluate fit for the position.
  • Commitment to improving Federal efficiency and rule of law in the U.S.
Full Job Description
Summary

Adjudicators ensure a trusted workforce by providing timely and efficient decisions to determine an individual's eligibility for initial or continued access to NSA classified information. Decisions are based on information developed through Reports of Polygraph Examination, Reports of Investigation, continuous evaluation programs and various other investigative/analytical resources per the criteria established in Security Executive Agent Directive 4 (SEAD 4).

Duties

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Security and Counterintelligence is responsible for the protection of NSA/CSS information, people and facilities worldwide. In support of this mission, Adjudicators are responsible for ensuring a trusted workforce by providing timely and efficient decisions to determine an individual's eligibility for initial or continued access to NSA classified information, to include evaluating candidates sponsored by the military or external agencies for access to NSA operational areas.

Adjudicators work in a myriad of offices within Security and Counterintelligence and their responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

- Conducting security adjudicative administrative processes

- Conducting the security adjudicative analytic and risk mitigation process

- Coordinating the security clearance process, including vetting, approval, denial, and access control

- Making security clearance determinations in accordance with DOD, IC, and NSA/CSS personnel security regulations, principles, and processes

- Evaluating reports of investigations, interpreting, and applying adjudicative guidelines to formulate a recommended course of action consistent with relevant Executive Orders, OPM, Department of Justice, DoW, ODNI, DCSA, IC elements, and NSA related to security/suitability determinations

- Corroborating or mitigating serious derogatory information

- Reviewing case files of all relevant materials pertaining to a case including all paperwork, any other source materials, and the opinions of other relevant/investigative personnel

- Reviewing investigative documents to identify discrepancies, inconsistencies, and areas potentially requiring clarification or additional investigation

- Reviewing relevant security databases and repositories/records to determine if there are any open internal cases which may be related to the affiliate's background investigation

- Determining if additional inquiries are necessary to resolve discrepant, negative, or contradictory information

- Retrieving data from credit bureaus, requesting Local Agency checks, reviewing reports to determine criminal records or traffic violations

- Reviewing adjudicative determinations or relevant databases of security personnel in relation to valid investigative requirements

- Reviewing and verifying information submitted on applications/Personnel Security Questionnaires

- Authoring written documentation that clearly cites findings and/or justifies recommendations for eligibility determinations for access to SCI classified information

- Drafting detailed evaluation of adverse information

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.


Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.

Degree in any field is acceptable.

Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: adjudication, personnel security, physical security, counterintelligence, anti-terrorism force protection, analysis, investigation, or auditing.

ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL

Entry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 4 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree and no experience.

FULL PERFORMANCE

Entry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 7 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree and no experience.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position.

Salary Range: $57,736 - $133,142 (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance)

Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.

Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience.

Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible). Core hours are 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

DCIPS Trial Period:

If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.

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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.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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