Personnel Security Specialist

This position is in the Office of the Secretary (OST), Assistant Secretary for Administration, Office of Security, Personnel Security Division. The incumbent serves as a Personnel Security Specialist responsible for oversight of the Department’s personnel security e-APP program formerly known as e-QIP. This position requires a Top-Secret Clearance and Drug Testing.

The Personnel Security Specialist:

• Receives and reviews Security forms to analyze and detect obvious errors or omissions of information.
• Prepares and issues departmental identification media including ID cards and credentials for DOT employees and contractors as a backup to ID Media staff.
• Processes fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation via the Livescan fingerprint system. Communicates with applicants, contractors, employees, management and leadership officials within the agency, other federal government staff and public organizations.
• Assist with determinations on if the requirements of E.O. 12968 and Security Executive Agent Directive 4 (SEAD 4) have been satisfied relating to the appointment or transfer of applicants in sensitive position.
• Makes preliminary recommendations on adequacy and completeness with respect to DOT security interests under the executive orders. When further investigation is essential for a determination, prepare an analysis of the pertinent points and recommends supplementary action.

The ideal candidate should have experience with eAPP (formerly known as eQIP) to process preliminary background checks, working with large amounts of clearance requests in short time frames and working with employees, mangers, and senior leadership. Candidates should have excellent written and in-person communication skills.

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet either the education or specialized experience requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the GS-05 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-05 it must include:

• Experience working with various databases to navigate, input and extract information to create reports and maintain records to reference.
• Experience recognizing and correcting obvious discrepancies and omissions on security forms.

To qualify for the GS-05 on Education alone, 

• 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree.

To qualify for the GS-07 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-05 it must include:

• Experience processing various security forms and entering personally identifiable information (PII) into a security database for the
• purpose of processing background investigations.
• Experience working in security to complete background security processes using an automated personnel security system in order to
• complete fingerprinting, background investigations, and initiating and reviewing background applications.

To qualify for the GS-07 on Education alone, you must have at least 1 year of graduate-level education OR superior academic achievement.

•    **Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.
•    1. Class standing — Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
•    2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) — Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (“B” or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (“B+” or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate level education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Security – Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and guidelines related to securing personnel, facilities, and information, including the requirements for handling, transporting, and protecting classified information and proper reporting of security incidents.
2. Oral Communication – Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
3. Written Communication – Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

For all types of consideration, 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

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link:https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date.

Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.