Personnel Security Specialist

Summary

The incumbent serves as a Personnel Security Specialist in the Intake and Operations Branch (IOB), Personnel Security Division (PSD), Office of Professional Responsibility and Security Operations (OPRSO). OPRSO provides a wide array of security and investigative services, assesses and recommends asset protection countermeasures, conducts background investigations, suitability and security adjudications, risk and threat assessments, develops emergency preparedness and business continuity plans.

Duties

Help

The major duties of the Personnel Security Specialist position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Initiates background investigations, reviews security packages for applicants and contractors during initial vetting.
• Performs routine repository checks as part of initial vetting for applicants and contractors.
• Performs routine records check from multiple data sources as part of continuous vetting.
• Communicates with applicants, employees, and contractors when processing security packages and requesting updated security forms.
• Conducts issue resolution when derogatory information is found.
  
  

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

The requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Key Requirements:

• Must be U.S. Citizen or National
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test.
• Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
• You must meet all applicable time-in-grade requirements by the closing of this announcement.
  
  

MOBILITY PLAN: New employees hired pursuant to this vacancy announcement must sign a mobility agreement. The purpose of ATF's mobility policy is to enhance career development and progression, and achieve mission and business effectiveness. To accomplish these objectives, the mobility plan will facilitate the movement of employees through special short-term assignments or permanent reassignments throughout the Bureau. Applicants who decline to sign a mobility agreement, as required, will be removed from the hiring process. This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Personnel Security Specialist position at the GS-9/11/12, you must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Minimum Qualifications

GS-09

To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized experience is demonstrated experience, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in resume.

Specialized Experience Must Include All Of:

• Applying personnel vetting processes, suitability factors and adjudicative criteria used in security and suitability determinations; AND
• Initiating and reviewing background investigations using SF 85, 85P, 86, and Personnel Vetting Questionnaires as part of personnel security vetting processes; AND
• Conducting continuous vetting record checks to identify derogatory information which may impact an individual's eligibility.
  
  

OR

Completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or at least 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related to the requirements of the position.

GS-11

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized Experience Must Include All Of:

• Applying personnel vetting processes, suitability factors and adjudicative criteria used in security and suitability determinations; AND
• Initiating and reviewing background investigations using SF 85, 85P, 86, and Personnel Vetting Questionnaires as part of personnel security vetting processes; AND
• Conducting continuous vetting record checks to identify derogatory information which may impact an individual's eligibility; AND
• Interpreting and applying personnel security regulations, federal investigative standards and adjudicative guidelines to resolve complex security concerns.
  
  

OR

Completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or at least 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related to the requirements of the position.

GS-12

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized Experience Must Include All Of:

• Applying personnel vetting processes, suitability factors and adjudicative criteria used in security and suitability determinations; AND
• Initiating and reviewing background investigations using SF 85, 85P, 86, and Personnel Vetting Questionnaires as part of personnel security vetting processes; AND
• Conducting continuous vetting record checks to identify derogatory information which may impact an individual's eligibility; AND
• Interpreting and applying personnel security regulations, federal investigative standards and adjudicative guidelines to resolve complex security concerns; AND
• Handling sensitive information and communicating security findings and recommendations to management; AND
• Assisting team leads with providing on the job training and performing quality assurance audits.
  
  

Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.

After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement (07/02/2026) to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.

Education

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below. Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

If you are using education to qualify for this position, or education is required:

• You must submit a transcript, which may be unofficial, as long as it contains a full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award.
• Your transcript must come from a nationally accredited educational institution recognized by the Department of Education.
• Please do not submit electronic transcripts with documentation security protection. These may prevent our application system from accepting and processing the document.
• If submitting a foreign transcript, you must have the transcript reviewed by an approved foreign education review organization recognized by the Department of Education. Your transcript must also be in English or have an English translation included.
  
  

Additional information

Additional Selections May Be Made From This Announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations from ATF's Human Resources Operations Division. Please click on the following link to read important information. DOJ Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations

Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:

• Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria;
• Be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and
• Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.
  
  

EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

Reasonable Accommodation:ATF provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the job application and hiring process, and you meet the eligibility requirements listed above, please notify the human resources specialist listed on the vacancy announcement, or contact the ATF's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at (202) 648-8760 or send an email to reasonableaccommodations@atf.gov. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation is handled on a case-by-case basis.

Selective Service: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.