This position serves as a Lead 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: Reviews requests for security clearances for VA personnel and adjudicates personnel security investigations. Within delegated authority, grants security clearances and forwards recommendations for security clearance denials. Maintains associated personnel security records. Receives requests for appointment to sensitive positions, determines the appropriate investigation required for the positions, ensures the required paperwork is submitted, conducts personnel security interviews, and forwards the investigation and other information to the proper investigative authority. Conducts security and suitability adjudications related to background investigations. Reviews completed personnel suitability investigations with the As the Technical Lead, the incumbent will be required to carry out many duties to include coordinating, coaching and facilitating training to those employees on the team. Leads the team in: identifying, distributing and balancing workload and tasks among employees in accordance with established work flow, skill level and/or occupational specialization; making adjustments to accomplish the workload in accordance with established priorities to ensure timely accomplishment of assigned team tasks; and ensuring that each employee has an integral role in developing the final team product. Trains or arrange for the training of team members in methods and techniques of team building and working in teams to accomplish tasks or projects, and provide or arrange for specific administrative or technical training necessary for accomplishment of individual and team tasks. Serves as coach, facilitator and/or negotiator in coordinating team initiatives and in consensus building activities among team members. Performs 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. Forwards 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. Drafts and issues Proposed Action Letters (PALs) to applicants and appointees whose investigative results contain actionable suitability information. Drafts and issues Final Action Letters (FALs) outlining the reasons for final suitability determinations. Suitability actions may result in cancellation of eligibility or removal of appointees under 5 CFR 731. Letters of advisement/admonishment, financial monitoring agreements, or other actions, may be appropriate given the specific circumstances of each case. Testifies at formal hearings regarding the personnel security process and justification for any administrative suitability action that may have occurred during the pre-employment or postemployment process. Notifies proper management officials when pertinent suitability information appears in investigative reports. Ensures that security activities are in accordance with ADP security policies. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm PST 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#: Lead Personnel Security Specialist/PD99953S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not requirement

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/07/2024. 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 11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS 0. 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: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS 09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: conducts security and suitability adjudications related to background investigations, leads the team in: identifying, distributing and balancing workload and tasks among employees in accordance with established work flow, skill level and/or occupational specialization, drafts and issues Proposed Action Letters (PALs) to applicants and appointees whose investigative results contain actionable suitability information, responsible for technical guidance and advice on matters pertaining to personnel security , serves as coach, facilitator and/or negotiator in coordinating team initiatives and in consensus building activities among team members. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have possess 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. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analysis and Problem SolvingCritical ThinkingDatabase Management SystemsInformation Systems/Network SecurityLead or Supervise 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VHA VISN 21 Human Resources 391 Taylor Blvd Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 US
• Name: Rosalee Rizo
• Phone: 303-202-8533
• Email: [email protected]