You are encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application package. Your application may not receive full consideration if you do not follow the instructions as outlined. This position is in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC, in the Office of Security, Personnel Security Division, Background Investigation Branch, at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Duties

Processing of all requests for investigation generated by organizations serviced by the Agency Background Investigation Program; personnel security background investigations. Conducts interviews of direct-hire and contractor employees to resolve unfavorable or adverse information developed during the clearance process or subsequently reported to the Office of Security by other means. Provides customer service outreach to offices, bureaus, applicants, employees, and outside Government Agencies. Determines the adequacy and completeness of the investigation and other means by which data were collected; recommends or decides whether, on the basis of the data, security clearances should be granted, downgraded, suspended, revoked or denied. Prepares investigative inquiries in accordance with the Privacy Act, to include employment, educational, and residential record providers, social and professional sources, local law enforcement agencies, and other record and source providers. Reviews initial clearance requests and accompanying documents for completeness. Identifies the type of investigation that will be required or determines whether verification of an existing security clearance will satisfy the request.

Requirements

• United States Citizenship is required.
• Relevant experience (see Qualifications below).
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Security/SCI clearance.
• Time in grade must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• You may be required to serve a one year probationary period.
• These are Testing Designated Positions (TDP's) under the Agency's approved Drug-Free Work Place Program. All applicants selected for this position will be subject to random drug testing once they begin working for the Agency.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience: GS-09: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. One year of specialized experience refers to full-time work; we consider a part-time job on a prorated basis. Examples of qualifying specialized experience at the next lower level for this position includes: a) Validating requests for personnel security investigations and clearances; b) Obtaining investigative information through internet research, law enforcement, and personnel security related databases for verification and records investigative results; AND c) Processing routine security investigations for sensitive positions. OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. Specialized Experience: GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. One year of specialized experience refers to full-time work; we consider a part-time job on a prorated basis. Examples of qualifying specialized experience at the next lower level for this position includes: a) Conducting background investigations for national security and suitability to ensure compliance with security clearance requirements; b) Validating requests for personnel security investigations and clearances; c) Obtaining investigative information through internet research, law enforcement, and personnel security related databases for verification and records investigative results; AND d) Processing routine security investigations for sensitive positions. OR Education: Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. [remove LL.M., if unrelated] in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: [insert applicable field(s) of study]. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience relevant to the position's duties to be filled, including volunteer experience. CTAP/ICTAP candidates will be referred to the selecting official if they are found well qualified. Well-qualified means an eligible employee who possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities that clearly exceed the position's minimum requirements. A well-qualified employee must meet the qualification and eligibility requirements of the position, including any medical qualifications, suitability, and minimum education and experience requirements, meet all selective factors (where applicable); meet quality ranking factors and are assigned a score of 85 or higher; be physically qualified with reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position; meet any special qualifying U.S. OPM-approved conditions; AND be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry without additional training. A well-qualified candidate will not necessarily meet the definition of highly or best qualified when evaluated against other candidates who apply for a particular position. Selecting officials will document the job-related reason(s) for qualification determinations in the absence of selective and quality ranking factors.

Education

This position does not have a positive education requirement. Therefore, no transcripts are required.

Contacts

• Address Office of Security 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20523 US
• Name: USAID HR Help Desk
• Phone: 202-712-1234 X2
• Email: [email protected]