The incumbent of this position serves as a Personnel Security Specialist, and the work assigned is of a very confidential, complex and highly sensitive nature. This position performs the security related functions in support of a Network Personnel Suitability and Credentialing Program (hereinafter, "Personnel Security Program") within a Shared Services Unit, and assures that all appointees have the appropriate level of security/suitability clearance commensurate with their assignment.

Duties

Major Duties: Personnel Security, Suitability, Use of Automated Integrated Systems, (60%) Responsible for the day-to-day activities of the Personnel Security Program. Conducts security and suitability adjudications related to background investigations. Reviews completed suitability investigations with the purpose of providing recommendations on pre-employment and continued employment considerations. Determines the impact of potential adverse or derogatory information; exercises personal judgement and discretion to evaluate the nature of information received and recommends or takes appropriate action. Maintains liaison with local agencies (police, criminal investigators, etc.,) to ensure timely record checks are conducted on personnel. For fingerprint submissions and background investigations, the Personnel Security Specialist reviews results and makes decisions concerning the adjudication of all Special Agreement Checks (SACs) and Tiered investigations received from OPM. Perform initial intake for post-appointment arrest (PAA) reports received from VA Central Office (VACO) or the VA-AC. Utilizes Veterans Affairs Centralized Adjudication Background Investigation System (VA-CABS) to perform all functions related to the adjudication of background investigations. Forward PAAs to the Employee/Labor Relations section and defer to E/LR Specialists when there is potential for adverse action on a non-probationer based on criminal information. Implements Policies, Communicates, Provides technical guidance as SME (15%) Implements the policies and procedures for the Personnel Security Program. Ensures that the program meets all legal and mandatory requirements and that all agency regulatory requirements are followed. Responsible for technical guidance and advice on matters pertaining to personnel security. Provides authoritative information and assistance by administering programs for continuous evaluation of personnel; developing guidelines, procedures, and other materials for use by operating officials; administering security awareness programs; formulates and recommends personnel security investigative requirements; and advises on how personnel security policies and related matters impact the organizational missions. Initiate, Review, Release, Track E-QIP Investigations (15%) Processes and oversees the submission of higher-level investigations to the VA-Adjudication Center (VA-AC), and acts as a liaison with other services on security issues. Monitors the oversight of the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) system. Tracks the date released and follows up with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to ensure timely closure for all cases (SACs, NACls, MBls, and BIs). Completes Audits and Maintains Privacy of Information (10%) Performs audits and spot checks the Employee's Official Personnel Folders (e-OPF's) to review for compliance with personnel security related documents. Works with the Consolidated Classification Unit (CCU) to ensure that all position descriptions have appropriate risk level as determined by Position Designation Tool (PDT). Works with Staffing and Processing and Records Section to ensure each position has the appropriate risk and sensitivity level designated in HR SMART. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Personnel Security Specialist/PD99950S Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/04/2023. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-9 Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of standardized applications or established variations in security criteria involving considerations such as clearance level required, adjudication of security clearances when clear-cut derogatory information is present in the investigative information, nature of materials or information to the protected, cost-benefit relationships for security devices or equipment systems, and similar considerations. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education. GS-11 Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Extensive knowledge in conducting security and suitability adjudications related to background investigations. Extensive knowledge in reviewing completed suitability investigations with the purpose of providing recommendations on pre-employment and continued employment considerations. Extensive knowledge in conducting an in-depth review of fingerprints and background investigations results. Knowledge of security program interrelationships, i.e., personnel and information security, for the purpose of coordinating objectives and plans for the Personnel Security Program. Knowledge in ensuring that security activities are in accordance with ADP security policies. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education. Preferred Experience: Persec experience You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analytical ThinkingPersonnel Security and Safety 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary and is accomplished in an office environment. Some walking and standing may occur in the course of a normal workday. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VHA VISN 2 Human Resources 130 W. KINGSBRIDGE ROAD BRONX, NY 10468-3904 US
• Name: Emily Donnan
• Phone: 716-293-1567
• Email: [email protected]