Personnel Security Specialist

Amentum•Huntsville, AL

3d•$58,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Personnel Security Specialist (PSS) supports security assessment investigations, including background investigations, periodic reinvestigations, security clearances, employment suitability determinations, and continuous evaluation of employees. The role contributes to the administration of security programs by supporting investigations from inception through completion and making adjudication recommendations. It also provides analysis and research on complex personnel security problems and processes, prepares written reports and oral presentations, and advises a supervisor of potentially controversial matters or matters with far-reaching implications. The specialist conducts and analyzes interviews; performs FBI index, arrest-record, and other checks; and requests and reviews government files and related materials to assess potential security risks. The role summarizes findings, drafts correspondence and investigative guidance, coordinates investigation activity with Field Offices and government leads, and reviews investigative reports for completeness, adequacy, and compliance with applicable requirements. It may recommend further investigation, interviews, or polygraph examinations, subject to Government review and approval. The PSS analyzes investigation results and documents security concerns and their resolutions, liaises with FBI divisions, DOJ, and other agency and intelligence community officials, and recommends methods and procedures for processing and affirming clearances. Other duties include reviewing investigation requests, preparing detailed analyses and potential remedial or precautionary actions, assisting with case briefings and debriefings, and uploading official documents to designated record, management, workflow, or tracking systems. The position is contingent on several factors, including contract award, security processing, the ability to pass a CI polygraph, and position availability, which may result in a lengthy hiring process. It is performed in a traditional office environment.

Requirements

Active Top Secret U.S. Government clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to maintain a Top Secret clearance.
Two years of experience in the personnel security investigative or investigative analyst field.
Demonstrated analytical ability to critically review and analyze incoming materials and investigative reports, identify potential security vulnerabilities, and develop viable investigative leads.
Experience conducting and interpreting database checks and credit reports.
Experience performing routine office administrative support functions.
Proficient computer skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Ability to use the Internet for research and open-source checks in support of investigations.
Experience performing database searches related to personnel security matters.
Responsibility for the security of program data and materials.
Experience processing security-clearance and background-investigation documentation in preparation for adjudication.
Experience preparing documentation for Government agencies and customers.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience conducting investigations, background investigations, and security investigations in accordance with established Federal Government suitability and security standards.
Bachelor’s degree with two years of experience, or an associate degree with four years of experience.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated understanding of Federal Investigative Standards (FIS).
Demonstrated understanding of Security Executive Agent Directives (SEADs).
Demonstrated understanding of Executive Orders (EOs).
Demonstrated understanding of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (US CFR).

Responsibilities

Support security assessment investigations, including background investigations, periodic reinvestigations, security clearances, employment suitability determinations, and continuous evaluation of employees.
Support the administration of security programs and participate in less complex investigations from inception through completion, making appropriate adjudication recommendations.
Conduct, review, and analyze interviews conducted inside and outside the organization.
Provide analysis and research on complex personnel security problems and processes.
Prepare written reports and oral presentations using critical thinking and analysis.
Advise the supervisor of potentially controversial matters or matters with far-reaching implications.
Perform FBI index checks, arrest-record checks, and other checks to obtain relevant identifying information for assigned cases.
Request, receive, review, and analyze FBI government files and related materials to assess potential security risks.
Summarize findings and prepare correspondence to Field Offices outlining case backgrounds, research findings, and security concerns.
Issue investigative guidance identifying leads to be addressed under applicable Federal standards and FBI policy, and forward correspondence to the Government lead for approval.
Coordinate with Field Offices to obtain investigation information and assess investigative reports and correspondence for administrative compliance, adequacy, and adherence to FBI regulations and policies.
Identify investigative inadequacies and send additional instructions to the field, recommending additional investigation or elimination of unproductive procedures.
Recommend polygraph examinations or interviews based on available data, and prepare related communications and guidance for Government review and approval.
Review and analyze further investigation results, interviews, and polygraph examinations to determine whether issues and information gaps have been adequately addressed.
Prepare formal written analyses of security concerns and their resolutions.
Maintain liaison with FBI headquarters divisions, DOJ, other agency officials, and members of the intelligence community to develop or resolve queries.
Coordinate with other FBI components to surface, develop, and resolve issues.
Recommend methods and procedures for passing and affirming clearances, including SCI/Regulations, FISs, and/or EO and DOJ Orders.
Perform security assessment investigations and provide recommendations to FBI headquarters.
Review and analyze requests for security-clearance investigations.
Prepare detailed analyses of developed information, including potential remedial or precautionary actions to meet minimum security standards.
Assist with briefings and debriefings of individual cases as needed.
Upload official documents into designated systems of record, management, workflow, or tracking systems, files, and sub-files.