The incumbent serves as a Personnel Security Specialist with administrative responsibility for adjudicating suitability cases on individuals for entry and retention in sensitive and non-sensitive positions. Reviews personnel security background investigations to determine suitability, fitness, for federal employment, and other credentialing decisions. Ensures investigative scoping items are met, personal identifying data and investigative questionnaire information is accurate and complete.

Duties

Makes preliminary pre-employment or eligibility determinations on applicants for position for which applying. Fact-finding and collects additional information from applicants, appointees, and employees when it is necessary to decide or recommend a pre-employment determination. Reviews and processes requests for personnel security investigations. Implements and uses electronic or manual systems to enable timely background investigation submissions, determinations of employees, contractors, volunteers, etc. Reviews forms for accuracy and completeness before submitting for approval. Operate the local PIV (Personal Identity Verification) card system, ensuring the system is maintained and operational for day-to-day operations. Provides information technology (IT) technical support on PIV card authentication and device troubleshooting. Back up others in retirement processing by assisting employees with their many questions and concerns regarding their retirement and benefits. Back up the Area Ethics Coordinator, as needed to process outside activity request, in cash/in kind requests, office of general ethics filing, gifts, and hatch art, etc.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. 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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: GS-07: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 such as: Research written arguments and/or opinions in support of an issue; work with individuals on sensitive issues (including background information) which require tact and discretion while providing good customer service; provide training to groups of individuals via web-based training, classroom settings and/or conference calls. and/or 1 full year (18 semester hours) of graduate level education that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. and/or Completed a Bachelor's degree in a field that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position with one of the following: (1) I graduated with at least an overall GPA of 2.95, (2) I graduated with at least a 3.45 GPA in my major or during the last two years of college; (3) I graduated in the top third of my class; or (4) I have been a member of a national scholastic honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. GS-09: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 such as: Review arrest reports and dispositions of cases to determine suitability of applicants applying for positions; use automated systems to obtain and transmit fingerprint results; review background investigation forms for accuracy and completeness before case is released for investigation; coordinate background investigations assuring appropriate initiation, processing and adjudication; provide technical advice and guidance to employees, contractors, affiliates, and volunteers regarding a background clearance form submission (e.g. E-QIP); review forms for accuracy and completeness; provide advice and guidance to customers on submitting required documents for background investigations. and/or Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years (36 semester hours) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work or LL.B. or J.D., if related. and/or Combination of the specialized experience described in A and the education described in B. To determine if you qualify under this combination first divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond 1 year by 18. (Note: Only education in excess of the first year is creditable toward meeting the experience requirement when combining experience and education.) Finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Note: You must provide copies of your graduate transcripts. GS-11: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 such as: Assist to interpret and develop policy and procedures in personnel security issuances and directives; gather and coordinate records of evidence in support of proposed personnel security and suitability actions and decisions; submit disposition requests to the appropriate court, law enforcement agency, or other source in order to obtain clarification or additional information regarding cases. and/or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years (54 semester hours) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work or LL.M., if related. and/or Combination of the specialized experience described in A and the education described in B. To determine if you qualify under this combination first divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond 2 years by 18. (Note: Only education in excess of the second year is creditable toward meeting the experience requirement when combining experience and education.) Finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Note: You must provide copies of your graduate transcripts. Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.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 Portland Area Indian Health Service 1414 NW Northrup Street Suite 800 Portland, OR 97209 US
• Name: Raquel Sells
• Phone: 503-414-7737
• Email: [email protected]