Clearance:
Public Trust
Overview:
Ardent Eagle Solutions is seeking two Personnel Security Specialists to provide personnel security support to the Department of Commerce Office of Security, Insider Risk and Continuity in support of the Bureau of Industry and Security.
The positions will support the timely and accurate processing of personnel security actions, including background investigation processing, reciprocity reviews, pre-appointment determinations, suitability and fitness case review, adjudicative actions, records management, and personnel security database maintenance.
The work requires strong experience with Federal personnel security processes and systems, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage a high-volume caseload while protecting sensitive information and personally identifiable information.
Background:
The Department of Commerce Office of Security provides Department-wide personnel security support to ensure employees, contractors, associates, and applicable clearance holders are properly investigated and processed in accordance with Federal laws, regulations, policies, and security standards.
Personnel Security Division support includes coordination with Department offices and bureaus to process security and suitability investigations, perform related adjudicative activities, monitor compliance, and ensure accurate information is maintained in SecurityManager and other Federal personnel security systems.
Responsibilities:
- Review personnel security records to determine whether existing investigations satisfy reciprocity requirements.
- Conduct reciprocity reviews using the Office of Personnel Management Personnel Investigations Processing System (PIPS), Central Verification System (CVS), Defense Information System for Security (DISS), and related systems.
- Determine whether new personnel security investigations or reinvestigations are required.
- Process investigations and reinvestigations through the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) Electronic Application (eAPP).
- Review background investigation submissions for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with applicable personnel security requirements.
- Support processing prescribed under 5 CFR 731 and 5 CFR 1400.
- Input adjudicative decisions into PIPS/CVS.
- Review personnel security cases and prepare case documentation supporting suitability and/or fitness determinations.
- Provide pre-appointment recommendations for tentative Federal employee selections and contractors.
- Perform personnel security case review and write-ups supporting pre-appointment, suitability, and fitness decisions.
- Enter and maintain accurate personnel security information within the OSY SecurityManager database.
- Process and maintain personnel separation-from-duty information.
- Perform record cleanup and correction of personnel security records.
- Document pre-appointment and adjudication actions within applicable systems.
- Research and resolve personnel security record discrepancies.
- Serve as a liaison with BIS and other bureau representatives concerning record discrepancies and personnel security processing issues.
- Organize and prioritize work within a high-volume, fast-paced personnel security environment.
- Maintain accuracy, professionalism, tact, and sound judgment while managing competing priorities and deadlines.
- Protect sensitive information and personally identifiable information and ensure compliance with applicable policies and procedures.
- Provide professional customer service to Government personnel, contractors, associates, and other stakeholders.
- Advise program managers and senior managers on administrative and procedural matters within the scope of the position.
- Analyze and evaluate program operations and processes against established goals and objectives.
- Prepare reports for bureau and OSY management.
- Research, develop, and review documents intended for Department-level approval, including management policies, Departmental Orders, and routine requests.
- Develop procedures and systems for assessing program and management-process effectiveness.
- Create, review, and prepare briefing materials.
- Review and edit office documents.
- Establish and maintain records and files in accordance with applicable records-management requirements.
- Perform word processing, data entry, and other related administrative duties.
- Use Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in support of assigned responsibilities.
Qualifications:
- Four years of relevant personnel security experience.
- Demonstrated experience reviewing and processing personnel security cases.
- Experience with National Background Investigation Services (NBIS)/eAPP.
- Experience with Central Verification System (CVS).
- Experience with Defense Information System for Security (DISS).
- Suitability and/or security adjudication experience.
- Experience reviewing background investigations and determining appropriate personnel security actions.
- Knowledge of personnel security case-processing concepts, including reciprocity, pre-appointment review, suitability/fitness determinations, investigations, and reinvestigations.
- Ability to accurately review, document, and maintain sensitive personnel security information.
- Ability to manage a high-volume caseload and prioritize multiple actions with minimal supervision.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to identify and resolve discrepancies in personnel security records.
- Strong customer-service and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, tact, diplomacy, and professionalism when working with Government officials, contractors, and other stakeholders.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to safeguard PII and other sensitive Government information.
Preferred
- Experience with OPM PIPS and/or related Federal personnel security systems.
- Experience with SecurityManager or a comparable personnel security/case-management system.
- Experience preparing suitability or fitness case summaries and recommendations.
- Experience making or documenting pre-appointment recommendations.
- Experience performing Federal personnel security reciprocity reviews.
- Familiarity with personnel security processing under 5 CFR 731 and 5 CFR 1400.
- Experience supporting a Federal Personnel Security Division, security office, or similar environment.
- Experience coordinating with Human Resources, security offices, or bureau representatives to resolve personnel security cases and record discrepancies.
- Experience developing personnel security reports, procedures, briefing materials, or management documentation.
Education:
B.S. degree or equivalent in Business or a related discipline.
Location and Work Hours:
U.S. Department of Commerce Headquarters
Herbert C. Hoover Building (HCHB)
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20230
Monday through Friday during normal business hours, generally 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Compensation:
The compensation range for this position is $35.30- $46.00 per hour. Compensation will be discussed in greater detail with candidates who advance in the interview process, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of qualifications and alignment with role requirements.
Compensation Disclaimer:
The salary range provided for this position represents a general guideline. Final compensation will be determined at the Company’s discretion based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, skills, education, internal equity, geographic location, and contract requirements. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range.
Benefits and EEO:
At Ardent Eagle Solutions, we offer a comprehensive benefits package to our employees and their families:
- Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage
- Matching 401(k) Plan
- Continuing Education Assistance
- Paid Time Off
This job description is intended to describe the general scope of work and level of work that is needed to perform while on task with Ardent Eagle Solutions. Other duties may be assigned. Selected candidates may undergo a government security investigation and must fulfill eligibility criteria for accessing classified information. US citizenship may be a prerequisite for certain roles.
Ardent Eagle Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to disability or protected veteran status.