Supervisory Security Specialist (Intake Branch Chief)

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service (FPS), Springfield, Virginia.

Duties

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The primary purpose of this position is to supervise and direct personnel security intake operations, including the review, validation, and processing of background investigations and related personnel security actions. The position provides technical oversight, policy guidance, and program management to ensure compliance with applicable security requirements. These responsibilities support the Federal Protective Service's mission by promoting workforce integrity, safeguarding sensitive information, and ensuring appropriate personnel security screening.

Duties performed:

• Plans, directs, and supervises Personnel Security Intake Branch operations, establishes priorities, assigns work, evaluates performance, and ensures personnel security requirements and mission objectives are met.
• Oversees the receipt, review, validation, and processing of background investigations, reinvestigations, continuous vetting referrals, and personnel security actions for applicants, employees, and contractors. Directs reviews of complex personnel security cases to identify discrepancies, evaluate risk indicators, determine investigative requirements, and ensure cases are complete and ready for adjudication.
• Develops and implements personnel security intake policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with federal regulations, DHS directives, and FPS security requirements.
• Advises senior leadership and represents FPS in interagency meetings and working groups to resolve complex personnel security issues, recommend policy improvements, and coordinate security program activities. Directs the preparation and review of security correspondence, case summaries, technical guidance, and operating procedures to ensure accuracy, regulatory compliance, and accountability.
• Manages branch budgets, staffing resources, and contractor support; evaluates workload trends and processing performance to improve operational efficiency and meet mission requirements.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).
• Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required
• One-year probationary period may be required.
• Must meet Time-In-Grade requirements.
• A pre-employment drug test will be required.
• The incumbent of this position is subject to random drug testing.
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• License required: No
• Pre-employment physical required: No
• This is a non-bargaining unit position.
• Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid.
• Financial Disclosure Statement: The incumbent is required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually.
• Promotion Potential: This position is at the full performance level.
• Supervisory Probationary Period: This is a supervisory position. Under provisions of the Civil Service Reform Act, first time supervisors and/or managers will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period. You may also be required to complete an appropriate supervisory training course within one year of assignment to this position.
• Essential Personnel Designation: This position may be designated as essential personnel. Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operational events without regard to declarations of unscheduled leave or government closures due to weather, protests, and acts of terrorism or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations (5 U.S.C. [redacted] and 5 CFR Part 752, as applicable).

Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Specialized Experience requirements as noted below.

Specialized Experience:

GS-14: Applicant must demonstrate one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-13 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties:

1. Supervising security program staff by planning and assigning work, setting priorities, managing performance, and/or making personnel decisions;
2. Providing technical advice, recommendations, and guidance to management or stakeholders to address personnel security issues;
3. Leading or overseeing personnel security intake operations, including activities such as reviewing investigations, resolving deficiencies, or assessing case readiness for adjudication; and
4. Evaluating personnel security program policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, investigative standards, and agency requirements.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Limit your resume to two pages. Only resumes 2 pages in length will be accepted to determine eligibility and qualifications.

Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet 4time-in-grade4 requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current competitive service employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one), 4Notice of Personnel Action4 that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to comply.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

NOTE: 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; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Conditions of Employment:

This is a Drug Testing Designated Position (TDP) and is covered by the Department of Homeland Security Headquarters Drug-Free Workplace Program. The incumbent is required to sign a Condition of Employment form (for certain positions identified as critical under the drug testing program) and must pass urinalysis testing, as required prior to appointment, reassignment, or transfer, and employee will be subject to random testing while employed with the Department in a TDP.

Travel: The work may require up to 10% of travel promoting the personnel security program and attending meetings/conferences located throughout the United States.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for a Top Secret clearance with special access to secret compartmentalized information (SCI) as a condition of placement in this Special Sensitive position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12654 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP): This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp

Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).

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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.