ORAU

Personnel Security Specialist (Senior Level)

ORAU • $75K — $95K *
Huntsville, AL 35810In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
11 - 15 years of experience
Reposted 5 days ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree
  • 15 years of experience in federal law enforcement or 17 years in personnel security investigative roles
  • Associate's degree with 17 years of federal law enforcement or 19 years in personnel security investigative roles (approval needed)
  • Technical training/certification as an investigator and/or adjudicator
  • Prior security management experience preferred

Responsibilities

  • Performs duties associated with the PSS Mid-level position as necessary.
  • Develops manuals, forms, and instructions to facilitate the FBI Security Program.
  • Conducts thorough background checks per federal guidelines and policies.
  • Analyzes FBI investigative files to identify potential security risks.
  • Conducts critical analysis of security concerns for security clearance determinations.
  • Trains and guides lower-level specialists in resolving case issues.
  • Prepares detailed summaries and recommendations for investigations.

Benefits

  • Work alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on national security matters
  • Opportunities for long-term contract extension (4 option years)
  • Gain experience in high-stakes, high-impact security assessments
  • Ability to engage with sensitive material and contribute to national security
  • Professional development opportunities through on-the-job training and guidance
Full Job Description
Overview

The Personnel Security Specialist provides support for the security assessment investigations to include: background investigations, periodic reinvestigations, and security clearances. By assessing trustworthiness and reliability, Personnel Security Specialist protect sensitive information, secure operations, and support the FBI's mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution.

Responsibilities

  • Performs all duties associated with the PSS Mid-level position as necessary.
  • Independently develops various types of manuals, forms, instructions, and the like, to facilitate operation of the FBI Security Program. Participates in special projects such as planning the implementation of new or revised programs.
  • Conducts exhaustive and extensive checks in accordance with the FISs, Federal guidelines, policies and procedures. Demonstrates innovative and imaginative approaches to problem solving that adds to the quality and quantity of relevant data recovered in assigned cases.
  • Requests, receives, scrutinizes and analyzes FBI Investigative files and related material to determine, isolate, develop and extract all possible identifying or linking information, matching records, questionable/overlapping elements, and viable avenues of investigative pursuit which could have a bearing on individual's ability to hold a security clearance. Analyzes material to develop and detect misrepresentations of facts, any criminal, immoral, or suspicious conduct, any signs of mentally disabling illness, indications of any type of association with hostile intelligence individuals, organizations, or persons of known or suspected questionable character, or fragments of information which furnish reason to sustain suspicion that the subject could be a security risk and/or significant target for coercion.
  • Conducts critical analysis of incoming material/correspondence outlining possible serious and/or very sensitive security concerns relating to the most complex security assessment issues for the purpose of determining merit for granting, continuing, and/or revoking security clearances and access authorizations.
  • Provides on-the-job training, instruction, guidance and advice to lower-level specialists; assists in the resolution of issues and other problems being encountered during processing of cases. Assists UCs, supervisors, and/or the GPM to provide continuing direction and assistance to other specialists for case(s) particularly sensitive and/or complex in nature; such cases may be reassigned to incumbent to resolve and complete. Reviews cases and routine correspondence to the FOs and/or outside agencies prepared by specialists for transmittal authorization by Government lead.
  • Provides direct support and service to the administration of the FBI Security Program by participating in the direction, from inception to completion, of highly sensitive and complex security assessment investigations conducted by the FBI FO's and rendering appropriate adjudication recommendations regarding the same. Acts as the technical expert in one or more security programs, serve as an assistant to a program manager and provide expert advice and assistance in formulating and implementing policies and procedures.
  • Prepares in-depth summaries of data obtained and determined to be pertinent or relevant to a case at hand and compose necessary correspondence to appropriate FO(s) for initiation of an investigation. Provides detailed outlines of background of individual case and information developed from extensive initial research and of the subsequent analysis of same. Defines security vulnerabilities, set forth specific recommendations for the initiation of investigations, recommend leads which are to be addressed and followed, and advise of any restricting regulations, instructions, or information which may hamper the investigation.
  • Coordinates with FBI Divisions on foreign nexus/concerns to exploit intelligence for the purpose of making adjudicative determination recommendations.
  • Provides an in-depth, high-risk analysis of high risk (potentially serious or high impact) investigations so that the Government lead can make a security and suitability determination.
  • Evaluates reports of investigations, personnel files, and other records to recommend suitability/security determinations.
  • Provides a recommendation regarding the adequacy and completeness of the investigation and of other means by which data were collected, and evaluate the authenticity, veracity, and pertinence of the data to the case, and request additional information as required.
  • Recommends whether a security clearance should be granted, denied, revoked, or suspended, as appropriate.
  • Recommends and then coordinates the execution of polygraph examinations and/or interviews to be conducted based upon acute analysis of all data developed. Composes appropriate communications to pertinent FBI HQ Divisions and FOs to initiate same, providing detailed justification as to recommendations that same be carried out and setting forth any specific instructions which should be followed in regard to same (i.e., particular areas in question which need to be addressed/resolved; special qualifications desired of interviewer; sensitive areas to avoid; and the like).
  • Correlates and assimilates all data obtained and developed, prepares a formal written analysis of the security concerns, vulnerabilities, risks, and their resolutions. Provides thorough consideration to information developed, degree of security risk involved, special staffing requirements/hiring needs of the FBI at the time, individual's specialized qualifications and the "whole-person" concept, provides recommendation for proper adjudication decision on a case-by-case basis as to the approval, denial, or revocation of security clearance and/or access authorization which will ultimately lead to the firing or retention of an individual, as well as, any necessary remedial administrative action or precautionary measures to meet the minimum standards to obtain/maintain a security clearance/access authorization.
  • Coordinates and correlates investigative activity, information gathering, and matters of mutual interest between FOs, Legal Attaches, other Government agencies, and private industry. Makes appropriate contacts, either written or telephonically, to provide guidance, obtain and relay information, identify specific objectives, and help resolve complex problems, and/or conflicting information which may otherwise impede the successful accomplishment of efficient, effective, and complete information gathering. Remains alert to, correlate information regarding, and identifies undesirable trends; keeps Government lead informed of such developed information.
  • As required, advises of the need for follow-on actions and/or participates in and/or conducts security briefings as individual situations require. Ensures that all FBI employees and contractors are properly advised of potential security-risks/vulnerabilities in which approved level of security clearance/access authorizations may expose them to and follow through to ensure individuals are properly debriefed as necessary.
  • Receives and follows guidance from Government lead who assigns cases and projects. Processes assignments independently for all aspects of the investigations and preparation of finished reports. Applies general policy in initiating actions or in providing information to FOs for the resolution of unusual problems or difficulties; advises Government lead supervisor of such actions. Consults the Government lead on policy matters that are inherently governmental functions. Ensures that all work products submitted to the Government lead are technically accurate and ready for appropriate disposition. Ensures all correspondence going to UCs and/or higher - level executives for informational purposes reflect soundness of judgment and are in compliance with FBI policy and procedures.
  • Analyzes the results of investigations to include results of interviews and polygraph examinations to ensure that all issues have been resolved, that gaps in information have been adequately covered, and that areas of concern have been completely addressed in order to efficiently and effectively support a determination of an individual's eligibility for access to national security information as defined in the SEAD 4 or access to FBI spaces.
  • Ensures cases are handled in compliance with FBI policies and legal requirements. Determines the adequacy of reporting information to develop and set forth leads and provides guidance to the field during course of investigations.
  • Adheres to DOJ Orders and FBI regulations and instructions affecting the conduction of background investigations.


Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree
  • 15 years of experience in federal law enforcement or 17 years of experience in the personnel security investigative or investigative analyst field
  • Alternative: Associate's degree with 17 years of experience in federal law enforcement or 19 years of experience in the personnel security investigative or investigative analyst field (Based on the type of experience and would need approval before hiring)
  • Technical training/certification as an investigator and/or adjudicator is required.
  • Prior security management experience preferred.

Candidate selected for this role will be required to have a Top Secret (Full Scope) Clearance before starting.

About ORAU

Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) is a consortium of American universities headquartered in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with an office in Washington, D.C., and program offices in multiple locations throughout the country. ORAU works with federal, state, local, and commercial customers to advance national priorities and serve the public interest by integrating academic, government, and scientific resources. ORAU provides scientific and technical solutions to advance research and education, protect public health and the environment, and strengthen national security. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). ORISE provides scientific and technical solutions to advance national priorities in science, education, and national security. ORAU also manages the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). REAC/TS provides medical support and training to DOE responders and other federal, state, and local agencies in the event of a radiological or nuclear incident.
Learn more about ORAU
Size
1,300 employees
Industry
Education, Government & Non-Profit
* Ladders Estimates

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