Lead Personnel Security Specialist

Office of Secretary of Health and Human Services

$85K — $102K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in personnel security operations, specifically at GS-12 level or higher.
  • Expertise in national security vetting requirements and personnel security policies.
  • Proficient in using the Clearance Verification System for background checks.
  • Strong leadership skills with experience in coaching and developing teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to streamline processes and improve operational efficiencies.

Responsibilities

  • Lead personnel security programs and serve as a senior technical authority.
  • Review and process personnel security investigation requests from various departments.
  • Ensure national security vetting processes comply with regulations and maintain performance metrics.
  • Implement process improvements for enhanced efficiency and reduced rework.
  • Communicate the strategic plan of the Personnel Security Program to the team and integrate into work objectives.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive federal benefits package available to employees and their families.
  • Eligibility for various federal employment incentives, including relocation assistance.
  • Access to career development resources and training opportunities.
  • Possibility of student loan repayment assistance as part of incentives.
Full Job Description
Summary

This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Immediate Office of the Secretary, headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia.

This announcement will close at 11:59 PM, on the day that 50 applications have been received or on the closing date, whichever is first.

Duties

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WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING DAY TO DAY

As a Lead Personnel Security Specialist, you will:

  • Serve as a senior technical authority and provides leadership for the agency's personnel security programs.
  • Receive, review and submit requests from OPDIV and STAFFDIV security representatives for personnel security investigations and clearances on employees, applicants, and individual contractors.
  • Ensure national security vetting processes meet timeliness, accuracy, and audit-readiness standards; and maintains case metrics and prepares reports on intake volumes, backlog, and performance.
  • Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce rework and supports automation and modernization initiatives related to vetting functions.
  • Ensure that the ONS Personnel Security Program's strategic plan, mission, vision and values are communicated to the team and integrated into theteam's strategies, goals, objectives, work plans and work products and services


Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service - http://www.sss.gov
  • Suitable for federal employment
  • Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. All information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.
  • All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date.
  • Financial disclosure statement may be required.
  • Probationary (or trial) period may be required.


Qualifications

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Minimum Qualifications: You must have one year of specialized experience to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service performing ALL of the following:

  • Expert in personnel security policies, procedures, and national security vetting requirements in order to provide authoritative guidance and recommendations on complex cases, policy interpretation, and personnel security operations.
  • Utilizing the Clearance Verification System or a similar commercial system to confirm the status of background investigations and/or adjudication determinations.
  • Leading the Intake/Vetting process of background investigations in strict accordance with regulations established by the Office of Personnel Management, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, or equivalent organizations by serving as a subject matter expert and mentor for complex and sensitive cases.
  • Leading, coaching, mentoring, and developing employees while fostering collaboration, accountability, and high performance.
  • Identifying operational efficiencies, streamline workflows, improve quality, ensure audit readiness and implement continuous improvement initiatives.


Documenting experience: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational application questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above.

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; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited.

OPM Qualification General Policies Website

Education

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov.

Additional information

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon multiple factors, including funds availability. If authorized, certain incentives may require you to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a period of up to 3 years. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Incentives may include the following: moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentive; student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc.

Bargaining Unit Position: No

Research position: No

Drug Screening Required: Yes

Veterans' Preference - https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/

Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP/ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an CTAP/ICTAP eligible see http://opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85.0 or above on the rating criteria for this position.

Reemployment Priority List (RPL): To receive selection priority for this position, individuals on the RPL must meet the qualification requirements, complete all required assessments and be rated as qualified. RPL candidates are ranked using Category Rating procedures.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

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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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