The Personnel Security Specialist II supports the client, providing administrative and technical support for a staff engaged in personnel security operations and assuring the implementation and compliance with security programs, policies, and requirements. In addition, this position is responsible for first-level adjudicative recommendations on both interim and final suitability and fitness determinations. This individual provides investigative support related to conducting pre-employment inquiries and issue resolution covering the character, practices, suitability, or qualifications of persons seeking to work for or on behalf of the client. Contacting federal, state, and local officials, and other organizations and individuals related to the subject investigation, to gather facts, obtain statements, learn sequences of events, obtain explanations, and other advance investigative objectives.

***Please note this is currently a hybrid remote position with a requirement to be in office one day per week. The in-office requirement may change at any time.

Job Duties

  • Validates need for investigation by conducting a check of OPM Central Verification System.
  • Establishes, reviews, and monitors background investigation accounts, and information in the OPM Electronic Questionnaires for Investigation Processing (eQIP) system.
  • Identifies where reciprocity may be accepted in processing based on PERSEC community and policies.
  • Creates security and/or suitability files for applicants or contractors; organizes records; maintains files; and collates documents in support of the background investigation process.
  • Initiates background investigations at the correct tier based on the risk/sensitivity level of the position in the OPM Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (eQIP) system.
  • Utilizes the General Services Administration USAccess system to sponsor individuals for HSPD-12 PIV credentials to grant logical and physical access to facilities and allow enrollment of fingerprints for criminal history records checks.
  • Contacts other personnel security operations and documents the reason for a “please call” designation in CVS.
  • Conducts status checks on background investigations utilizing the automated OPM Personnel Investigations Processing System (PIPS).
  • Reviews the entire case file and makes a suitability/fitness recommendation based on the criteria found and methodology prescribed in the OPM Suitability Processing Handbook.
  • Conducts pre-employment inquiries as necessary to resolve issues.
  • Utilizes case management systems to document adjudicative recommendations as appropriate.
  • Completes adjudicative recommendations within established time frames.
  • Documents adjudicative recommendations in a clear and concise manner for second-level review.
  • Drafts correspondence in the form of Letters of Interrogatory, Adjudicative Worksheets, and Notices of Proposed Action for second-level review.
  • Reviews the recommendations of lower-level specialists to ensure recommendations are being made in compliance with guidance in the OPM Suitability Processing Handbook.
  • Assists in developing and implementing policies and procedures.
  • Assists in training staff.
  • Conducts inventory and quality checks on pending Report of Investigation (ROI) drawers
  • Monitors personnel security mailbox, work log, and workflow as necessary
  • Report results of adjudication via OPM 79A and/or CVS to OPM as required.
  • Reviews all required documentation to ensure they are complete and accurate and that the information in all documents and case papers, hard copy or electronic, meets OPM standards for case scheduling.
  • Reports and documents results of inquiries.
  • Conducts telephone and written inquiries in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974.
  • Conducts Subject contact in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and obtains written statements when required
  • Conducts post-investigation follow-up necessary for issue resolution and adjudication.
  • Assists with building emergencies and drills, as needed.

 

Qualifications

  • Must have knowledge of GSA personal information verification card processing, USAccess
  • Minimum of three years of experience in suitability and fitness case work with two years of experience in adjudication rendering suitability and fitness recommendations 
  • Have successfully completed formal training in suitability adjudications towards adjudicator certification in compliance with National Training Standards established by OPM.
  • Demonstrated experience and familiarity making a suitability/fitness recommendation based on the criteria found and methodology prescribed in the OPM Suitability Processing Handbook.
  • Proficiency with MS Office Suite applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing to elicit detailed information from a variety of sources necessary to evaluate an individual’s conduct and character.
  • Practical knowledge of commonly applied personnel security and suitability principles, concepts, and methodologies in carrying out a variety of support assignments.
  • Ability and willingness to learn the basic functions and operations of all systems associated with personnel security and suitability case processing.
  • Must possess a favorably adjudicated background investigation completed within the last five years at the BI, Tier 4 level or SSBI, Tier 5 level; and be able to maintain the favorable result throughout employment on the contract.
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