Security Specialist (Direct Hire)

Summary

The purpose of this position is to perform as a Suitability Specialist. The incumbent will be responsible for recommending whether a person is or is not suitable for employment with the Federal Government based on the presence or absence of one or more specific factors outlined by the Office of Personnel Management. The purpose is to ensure that all individuals working for the Federal Government are loyal, trustworthy and demonstrate good conduct.

Duties



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• Reviews and processes requests for personnel security investigations, utilizing electronic or manual systems to enable timely background
  
  

investigation submissions and determinations.

• Conducts fact-finding and collects additional information from applicants, appointees, and employees in order to make pre-employment or
  
  

eligibility recommendations regarding future or current federal employment.

• Supports suitability adjudications related to Non-Sensitive background investigations, recommending or taking action where there is
  
  

contradictory, incomplete, inconclusive, or controversial evidence or material.

• Conducts day-to-day liaison with investigative and counterintelligence agencies of the Department of Defense and other government agencies in
  
  

performance of official duties.

• Enters investigative results in multiple Personnel Security systems.
• Assists with the implementation of policies, procedures, programs, and standards for the Personnel Security Program, to include the Continuous
  
  

Evaluation Program.

Requirements



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Conditions of employment

• This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• This position may require a one-year probationary period. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. **See Additional Information section**
• You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duty location/Directorate/Division/Branch requirements.
• Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/Directorate/Division/Branch requirements.
  
  

Qualifications

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

To qualify for GS-09 level, you must have:

• One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level:
• Performing day-to-day operational duties in support of sensitive suitability information associated with security programs and measures such as supporting suitability/security personnel stakeholders, utilizing suitability systems and pre-investigation screening processes;
• Evaluating suitability recommendations using personnel security principles, concepts, and methodologies; and
• Verifying the results of background investigations comply with suitability and fitness criteria.
  
  

OR

• Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field
  
  

OR

• Completed 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field
  
  

OR

• LL. B or J.D, if related
  
  

OR

• Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c) and d) above.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job.

NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Education

If you are using education completed in the United States to meet the qualification requirements, your degree must have been awarded from a college or university that is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.



If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.



All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must:

• Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
• Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position
• Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in 'Required Documents'
  
  

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.

Any applicant that received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) from the federal governmentwithin the last five years based of the closing date of this announcement, if selected, may be required to repay the full amount prior to establishing a start date. For additional information on the VSIP repayment requirement, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/voluntary-separation-incentive-payments/.

Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit.

Probationary Period

You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
  
  

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.



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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.

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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.