The primary purpose of this position is to formulate and apply USDA security policy, procedures, systems, and programs involving the loyalty and reliability of people; determine the suitability and security eligibility of individuals for entry and retention in sensitive and nonsensitive positions; and make security clearance determinations for employees or other persons for access to sensitive information, resources, material, or work sites.

Duties

Applies OPM and national security adjudication standards and procedures to evaluate the impact of the information received on the individual's suitability for employment and eligibility for a security clearance. Handles all assigned cases in accordance with the established timelines set forth by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), and signs certificates of clearance for USDA. Ensures timely and accurate input of case data into all appropriate databases reflecting current status of actions involving public trust and national security positions, as well as determinations for physical access to USDA facilities. Conducts administrative inquiry investigations to resolve sensitive allegations of security infractions or violations, or incidents that impact the proper protection of classified information. Reviews appropriate e-QIP forms and Requests for Personnel Security Services packages submitted for completeness. Makes the necessary security checks for processing clearances of department employees and industry representatives for official foreign travel and attendance at international conferences. Ensures timely notification to OPM of final adjudicative outcomes. Confers and collaborates with senior personnel when intricate personnel security problems arise in individual cases, such as conflicting information received, and degrees of significant derogatory information in security clearance adjudication cases.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Specialized Experience: At the GS-11: Qualifying experience for GS-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience analyzing, evaluating, and adjudicating complicated reports of investigation for suitability and the granting of public trust and national security clearances, including the experience determining final adjudicative determinations. OR Education: Ph.D. (or equivalent doctoral degree), or LL.M., or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field of study directly related to the work of this position. Graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. OR Combination: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. 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, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for the GS-11 level as described above.

Contacts

• Address Office of Homeland Security 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Paige Sharp
• Email: [email protected]