Hedgelan Consulting is seeking a highly qualified security assistant to support our customer at the US Geological Survey (USGS), US Department of Interior in Reston, Virginia. This position requires contractor support in the background investigations that the department oversees. Candidates should have a high level of overall personnel security procedural knowledge to assist the Security Team.

Location - Reston, Virginia

Schedule - 1-2 days onsite in Reston, Virginia. Rest is remote work.

Purpose - The primary purpose is to provide a departmental assistance related to personnel security and HSPD-12 badging by ensuring accurate and timely processing of security clearance and maintaining appropriate documentation on granting of security clearances to include USAccess, DOIAccess and Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) security systems. This position requires tact and discretion when following-up with employees, ensuring completion of necessary security forms in a timely manner and providing assistance to all new employees, contractors, and associates to be badged expeditiously to begin working at DOI.

Requirements -

All candidates must have active Tier-4 investigation, security clearance.

Knowledge of USAccess system as outlined in the current GSA PIV Credential Issuer (PCI) Operations Plan to prepare documents and implement the card access program.

Knowledge of the e-QIP initiation and review functions, PIPS/CVS applications administered via the DCSA Portal.

• Comprehensive working knowledge of the regulations, policies, principles, and procedures of the personnel security program.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate security information in accordance with guidelines and recommend changes or modification to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Knowledge of Federal security laws and regulations as well as DOI policies to interpret and apply such guidelines, manage and/or enhance existing security program activities.
• Exceptional communication skills to interact effectively with customers and to present oral and written reports to officials of the DOI and other agencies.
• Capable of utilizing Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat at a minimum to prepare statistical information and analysis.

Responsibilities -

• The Security Assistants will monitor and respond to the Personnel Security Group Email box within 24 hours, which is used to field questions from cost centers, applicants, and other interested parties. While there are standard templates, often the messages are not sure what they need so a great deal of intuitiveness is required to address some emails. For those messages that are not clear, suggested responses should be drafted and reviewed by the Personnel Security Section Chief prior to sending.
• The Security Assistants shall initiate Public Trust and National Security Clearance Investigations and other employee and contractor background investigations for the Bureau and other fee-for-service clients in e-QIP and/or eAPP.
• The Security Assistants shall serve as the primary point of contact with security offices and provide advice and assistance to selectees and employees throughout the background investigation process.
• The Security Assistants shall provide access to selectees and serviced employees to the e-QIP/eAPP system and ensure it is completed by the employees/applicants.
• The Security Assistants shall monitor the status of background investigations, maintain spreadsheets of ongoing investigations, and handle returned investigations.
• The Security Assistants shall provide appropriate forms, answer questions, identify controversial issues or problem areas and present these issues to Security Management Branch staff for resolution.
• The Security Assistants shall provide personnel security program assistance to the Bureau’s Personnel Security Specialists regarding suitability factors, proper completion of investigative forms and criteria for determining position sensitivity designations.
• The Security Assistants shall perform the Registrar/Activator role in the USAccess and the DOIAccess systems as outlined in the current GSA PIV Credential Issuer (PCI) Operations Plan for all applicants and employees).
• Registrar duties include performing identity proofing and enrollment functions for PIV card. Activator duties include activating cards, resetting PIN numbers, and updating certificates.
• Security Assistants shall liaise with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), DOI’s Office of Law Enforcement and Security, as well as other DOI or federal government agencies in assistance to the Bureau’s security administration mission.
• The Security Assistants shall ensure all processes adhere to the requirements established by NIST and that all services performed are carried out in a consistent and reliable manner in accordance with Federal policies and procedures.
• The Security Assistants shall be responsible for recommending, developing, and implementing new procedures to foster the efficiency and effectiveness of the HSPD-12 and e-QIP personnel security program within the office.
• The Security Assistants shall maintain and provide statistical reports and spreadsheets related to security.
• The Security Assistants shall resolve problems related to security and suitability, provide advisory services regarding the security and badging processes, and bringing unfamiliar or hard-to-resolve issues to the attention of the Personnel Security Section Chief.
• The Security Assistants shall perform project work relating to PIV cards. Working with the HSPD-12 Program Manager and cost centers, they will assist in implementation of the V8.1 card transition project as well as pulling monthly status reports, following up with emails about card status, and assisting with local site management to ensure all USGS individuals have knowledge about their closest enrollment and activation locations.

Benefits -

• Flexible work location with remote work opportunities.
• Competitive salary
• Paid vacation leave starting at 80 hours per year.
• Paid sick leave starting at 56 hours per year.
• 11 Paid Federal holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with Company contribution.
• Short-/long-term life insurance.
• 401k Retirement plan

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.00 - $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Experience level:

• 2 years
• 3 years

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• No nights
• No weekends

Work Location: In person