Personnel Security Specialist

Patent and Trademark Office • Alexandria, VA

19h • Hybrid

About The Position

This position is in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Office of Administrative Services (OAS), Security and Emergency Management Division, Personnel Security Branch. The branch supports the personnel security needs of the USPTO workforce. The role assists in administering the agency’s personnel security programs and performing related security administrative and technical duties, applying established security principles and methods in support of supervisors and other security specialists.

The position assists with adjudicating contractor fitness cases and national security cases for USPTO personnel, including coordination with federal intelligence and law enforcement entities when needed. It also assists with interviews to obtain information about criminal activity, social misconduct, financial irresponsibility, and other personal matters. Additional work includes supporting daily personnel security and information security education and awareness operations, applying security policy, and preparing and conducting security briefings.

The physical worksite is the USPTO campus in Alexandria, Virginia, and in-person presence is required for on-site functions. Situational telework may be available under agency policy and business-unit discretion; the agency currently allows 52 hours of telework per leave year.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship or nationality.
• At least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 in the Federal service, including assisting with personnel security forms; assisting with employee or contractor background investigations in accordance with HSPD-12 and 5 C.F.R. 731; and participating in background interviews with senior security specialists.
• Pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• Meet applicable time-in-grade or time-in-band requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable.
• If qualifying through education for GS-09, possess a master’s or equivalent graduate degree, two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.B., LL.M., or J.D.
• Submit education documentation when education is used to qualify or substitute for experience; foreign education must include an equivalency evaluation when applicable.

Responsibilities

• Assist with administering the agency’s personnel security programs and related security administrative and technical duties.
• Assist with adjudicating contractor fitness cases and national security cases for USPTO personnel, coordinating with federal intelligence and law enforcement entities as needed.
• Conduct or assist with interviews to obtain information related to criminal activity, social misconduct, financial irresponsibility, and other personal matters.
• Assist with day-to-day personnel security and information security education and awareness operations.
• Apply security policy in the USPTO.
• Participate in the personnel security education and awareness program by preparing and conducting security briefings.
• Assist with processing personnel security forms, reviewing them for incomplete or inconsistent information, and contacting relevant individuals to obtain omissions, corrections, or signatures.
• Assist with processing employee or contractor background investigations in accordance with HSPD-12 and 5 C.F.R. 731.
• Participate in interviews with senior security specialists to obtain additional background information from contractors or employees.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level