Personnel Security Specialist - MID DC

Amentum•Washington, DC

2d•$80,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

Amentum is seeking a Personnel Security Specialist (PSS) to provide support for security assessment investigations, including background investigations, periodic reinvestigations, and security clearances. This role involves employment suitability determinations and continuous evaluation of employees to ensure eligibility for employment. The PSS will perform all tasks associated with the role, provide supporting research and analysis into complex problems and processes with minimum direction, serve as an expert on project teams, and apply extensive experience and full knowledge of security disciplines. The specialist will review and analyze requests for investigations concerning security clearances, reciprocity, requirements, violations, and assessments for on-board employees, contract/access applicants, and other personnel requiring security clearances or access to FBI facilities. This includes reviewing and analyzing FBI investigative files to extract identifying information, match records, identify questionable elements, and assess reliability, trustworthiness, and loyalty. The PSS will examine material to detect misrepresentation, criminal or immoral conduct, signs of mental illness, associations with hostile intelligence individuals/organizations, or any reason to suspect a security risk. They will conduct Personnel Security Investigations (PSIs) as determined during investigations or per FBI HQ requests, prepare detailed analyses, supporting analysis, and recommendations for further investigation or remedial/precautionary actions. The role also involves conducting security briefings (Security Awareness and Hostile Threat), revising them as needed, and assisting in preliminary and final reviews of personal history statements. The PSS will conduct background investigations (BIs) for positions requiring suitability determinations or access to classified information, prepare reports on interviews conducted during BIs, and draft summary sheets and detailed evaluations of derogatory information. When information is insufficient, they will draft recommended questions for follow-on investigations and assist in making recommendations for adjudication of personal background investigations and security clearances. Specific tasks include reviewing Personnel Security Questionnaires (SF-86 and SF-85P), verifying application information, contacting subjects to complete forms, inputting data from MAC applications, retrieving data from credit bureaus, requesting Local Agency Checks, and reviewing reports for criminal records and traffic violations. The PSS will also prioritize assignments, create schedules, use advanced interview skills, and conduct peer reviews.

Requirements

Must have an Active Top Secret US Government Clearance.
US Citizenship is required to maintain a Top Secret Clearance.
Bachelor’s Degree with Seven (7) years’ experience OR Associate’s Degree with nine (9) years’ experience in the personnel security investigative or investigative analyst field.
Experience interpreting Governmental and commercial database checks to identify areas of concern during the investigative process.
Experience analyzing investigative reports and other sources of information to identify security vulnerabilities; to develop investigative leads; to propose a recommendation as to the approval, denial, or revocation of eligibility for access to national security information based on the application of the appropriate adjudicative standards.
Proficient computer skills to include: Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
Use of the Internet to conduct research and / or open-source checks in aid of investigations.
Experience with various Federal LE and IC IT systems for conducting automated record checks.
Knowledge of and experience with the use of applicable commercial and Federal Government database systems.
Experience performing database searches for information related to personnel security matters.
Distribution and update of personnel security documentation files.
Responsibility for security of program data and materials.
Processing security clearance and BI documentation in preparation for adjudication.
Prepared documentation for Government agencies and customers.
Experience performing multiple administrative tasks dealing with databases queries, filing, processing mail and performing audits.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience to conduct established Federal Government standards for investigations, BIs, and security investigations relating to suitability and security standards.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of DOJ and FBI regulations regarding the personnel security process.
Experience conducting interviews and security briefings, discussing analysis and opinion in a concise, logical and objective manner, and preparing written communications setting forth analyses and recommendations.
Thorough knowledge of the indices systems, various record check systems, and file review processes to develop and extract the most complete and accurate information relative to the subject as possible.
Demonstrated understanding of the following security – related / investigative guidelines: Federal Investigative Standards (FIS), Security Executive Agent Directives (SEADs), Executive Orders (EOs), U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (US CFR).

Responsibilities

Provide support for security assessment investigations, including background investigations, periodic reinvestigations, and security clearances.
Conduct employment suitability determinations and continuous evaluation of employees.
Provide supporting research and analysis into complex problems and processes.
Serve as an expert on project teams.
Provide critical thinking and analysis for written documentation and oral presentations.
Review and analyze requests for investigations concerning security clearances, reciprocity, requirements, violations, and assessments.
Review and analyze FBI investigative files and related material to determine and extract identifying information, matching records, questionable elements, and areas of investigative consideration.
Examine and analyze material to determine misrepresentation of facts, criminal or immoral conduct, signs of mentally disabling illness, sympathetic association with hostile intelligence individuals/organizations, or facts that may indicate a security risk.
Conduct PSIs as determined during the security investigation or per the request of FBI HQ.
Prepare a detailed analysis of all information developed, supporting analysis and recommendations to initiate further investigation, and any additional security concerns and recommendations.
Ensure all relevant information and justification is developed and properly considered in accordance with security policies and FBI regulations.
Conduct security briefings which include Security Awareness and Hostile Threat.
Revise security briefings based on specific issues developed and security requirements.
Assist in conducting preliminary and final reviews of statements of personal history and related data prior to the initiation of background investigation procedures.
Conduct BIs of individuals who would occupy positions where a determination of suitability for employment or access to classified information is required.
Prepare reports on investigations resulting from interviews conducted during BIs.
Draft summary sheets on the results of investigations for all assigned cases.
Draft a detailed evaluation of adverse information in case of derogatory information.
When information is insufficient to make a recommendation, draft a list of recommended questions for lines of inquiry for follow-on investigations.
Assist in making recommendations for adjudication of personal background investigations for employment with the FBI and/or issuance of a security clearance.
Review Personnel Security Questionnaires (SF - 86 and SF - 85P).
Verify information submitted on applications.
Contact subjects via approved methods to complete information on background investigation forms.
Input data from MAC applications.
Retrieve data from credit bureaus, request Local Agency Checks, review reports to determine criminal records, traffic violation, etc.
Prioritize assignments and create schedules to meet deadlines.
Use advanced interview skills to work with subjects to gather more in-depth details relating to their backgrounds.
Conduct peer reviews as required.