Personnel Security Specialist - Transportation Security Administration - Reston, Virginia - EXPIRED

These positions are located in the Adjudication Center (AC) of the Security Threat Assessment Operations (STAO), Office of Intelligence and Analysis (OIA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If selected, you will review and approve or recommend denial of transportation worker, hazardous material endorsement, airport secure area, and other regulated credentials applications, meeting the AC\'s standards for accuracy (as specified in the AC SOPs) and productivity (as specified in the AC SOPs). Typical assignments will include but are not limited to:

• Conduct internet-based criminal and/or immigration research to obtain criminal court records or immigration/US Citizenship documentation in support of an adjudication decision based on case by case information needs and in accordance with Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, parts 1542 and 1572 and associated SOPs which includes submitting cases for correction or re-vetting as needed.
• Review and approve or recommend denial of transportation workers, hazardous material endorsements, airport secure areas and other regulated credentialed applications, meeting the AC\'s standards for accuracy (as specified in the AC SOPs) and productivity (as specified in the AC SOPs).
• Achieve positive identification of each applicant based on the information provided, primarily by using computer based adjudication systems and, if necessary, external vetting sources.
• Complete case management and case documentation requirements on an hourly/daily basis (e.g. case number, decision or recommendation, decision basis, etc.). Document adjudication actions and decisions in case comments.
• Oversee the training of new staff and provide on-the-job training for staff as needed and provide corrective feedback as required.
• Review case denial recommendations from originating adjudicators and re-adjudicate each case providing feedback to the original adjudicator. Create and submit denial letters in accordance with AC SOPs and regulatory guidance with provided letter templates. Coordinate or conduct mid-level adjudicator and self-approver testing.
• Assist the Adjudication Operations Manager in responding to IR&A preliminary investigation requests, and preparing program specific Guidance Memorandums.

The major duties described above reflect the full performance level of this position. Typically, the lower Pay Bands (Pay Bands G and H) perform similar duties such as providing case work for review and direct supervisor approval.

To qualify for the SV-G Pay Band (equivalent to GS-11), you must meet one of the qualification requirements (A, B, OR C) outlined below.

A. Experience: If you are qualifying based on experience, your application must clearly outline one year of specialized experience at the SV-F Pay Band or GS-9 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Such experience includes applying general personnel security procedures (i.e., security threat assessment and criminal justice processes and procedures, and immigration statutes and procedures); and experience using various databases and spreadsheets to record, prepare, and submit security or risk assessment determinations). OR

B. Education: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field; OR three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M., if related. OR

C. Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed higher level graduate education (beyond second year) and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for this position, and may be computed by first determining your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the band level; then determining your education as a percentage of the education required for the band level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for the position.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: Education at the graduate level in an accredited college or university in the amounts indicated above meets the requirements for this position. Such education must demonstrate adjudicative knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One (1) year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement.

Applicants who meet the qualifications listed above based on education or a combination of education and experience must provide proof of education such as a list of completed college courses or the date and school of degree including the number of semester or quarter hours or a transcript from an accredited college or university. The information must be provided as an attachment to the application by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, you must supply a transcript or certification of degree.

To qualify for the SV-H Pay Band (equivalent to the GS-12), you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the SV-G or GS-11 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Such experience includes applying personnel security procedures (i.e., security threat assessment and criminal justice processes and procedures, and immigration statutes and procedures); and experience using computer based risk assessment systems to analyze and interpret case management metrics to support risk assessment decisions for vetting purposes.

To qualify for the SV-I Pay Band (equivalent to the GS-13), you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the SV-H or GS-12 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Such experience includes applying personnel security procedures (i.e., security threat assessment and criminal justice processes and procedures, and immigration statutes and procedures); analyzing, developing, interpreting, and implementing risk assessment policies and procedures to set priorities, oversee, plan and perform case work.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.

NOTE: Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime.

You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.