Personnel Security Specialist

Summary This position is located in the Office of Administration (ADM), Division of Facilities and Security (DFS), Personnel Security Branch (PSB). The supervisor is Christoph Heilig This position is in the Non-Bargaining Unit with the National Treasury Employees Union, Chapter 208. This position is not subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure or security ownership restriction reporting requirements. Responsibilities As a Personnel Security Specialist, you will play a crucial role in supporting the Chief of the Personnel Security Branch in implementing the NRC Personnel Security program. Your primary responsibilities will include assessing an individuals eligibility for various security-related authorizations and waivers (adjudications). This includes determining initial or continued eligibility for a pre-employment investigation waiver under Section 145b of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (as amended), NRC access authorizations (security clearances for federal employees, contractors, and licensees), and unescorted building or information technology access authorizations (for contractors). Additionally, you will manage related activities at NRC headquarters, regional offices, and other facilities affiliated with the NRC Security Program. In this position, you will advise and assist the Chief in planning, developing, and executing policies, standards, and procedures for the NRC Personnel Security Program to ensure efficient and effective branch operations. You will handle the administrative and adjudicatory processes for reviewing NRC access authorizations (security clearances), special nuclear material or information access authorizations, and other access approvals, particularly in cases involving significant derogatory information, in accordance with established procedures. Your responsibilities will also include requesting investigative products from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) and initiating supplemental investigatory actions when necessary. You will evaluate this information against the criteria and procedures outlined in 10 CFR Parts 10, 11, and 25 and EO 12968, to obtain additional supporting information for amplification or clarification. Moreover, you will administer the pre-employment investigation waiver program under Section 145b by reviewing and evaluating the eligibility of applicants pursuant to 10 CFR Parts 10, 11, and 25, EO 12968, and MD 12.3. Based on your evaluations, you will recommend approval or disapproval of these waivers as warranted. To excel in this role, you must demonstrate extensive knowledge and experience in federal background investigations and adjudications. Specifically, you will adjudicate cases of a significantly complex or sensitive nature in accordance with various Executive Orders, including EO 10450, EO 12958, EO 12968, EO 13381, EO 13467, EO 13488, and EO 13526, as well as 10 CFR Parts 10, 11, and 25, and 5 CFR Parts 731 and 732, and the authorities cited therein. You must have a thorough understanding of and experience in applying the Security Executive Agent Directive 4, “National Security Adjudicative Guidelines.” You must be adept at determining the character, conduct, trustworthiness, associations, and loyalty of applicants and employees for NRC access authorization to assess their impact on the common defense and security. Your expertise should also include the theory and methods of interviewing and investigative techniques, enabling you to interpret findings from investigative reports and conduct interviews in cases involving significantly derogatory information. You will prepare special reports for the Director, DFS, through the Chief, PSB, to inform them of the status of special or controversial cases, and you will recommend solutions or methods for resolving personnel security issues. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship Required This is a Drug Testing position. Background investigation leading to a clearance is required for new hires. You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position. Qualifications In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following: Demonstrated knowledge and experience in Federal background investigations and adjudications. Specifically, adjudicate cases of a significantly complex or sensitive nature in accordance with EO 10450; EO 12958; EO 12968; EO 13381; EO 13467; EO 13488; EO 13526; 10 CFR Parts 10, 11 and 25; 5 CFR parts 731 and 732, and authorities cited therein. Must possess extensive knowledge of Security Executive Agent Directive 4, “National Security Adjudicative Guidelines.” (EXAMPLE: Describe specific experience, education, training, and developmental assignments which demonstrate your knowledge of and ability to interpret the Federal government personnel security requirements, as delineated by statute, regulation or policy. Describe security programs in which you participated and your role and responsibility within the program and your experience providing advice and guidance on a variety of personnel security matters. Describe the scope and complexity of the issues involved. Provide specific examples and accomplishments pertaining to the above.) Demonstrated knowledge of investigative, fact-finding, and evaluation practices and techniques pertaining to personnel security. (EXAMPLE: Describe specific experience, education, training and developmental assignments which demonstrate your knowledge of investigation techniques, interviewing techniques, and fact-finding evaluations and practices. Describe how you have applied this knowledge and for what purpose.) Demonstrated ability to communicate information, ideas and advice in a clear, concise and logical manner, both orally and in writing. (EXAMPLE: Describe work experience, training or other activities that demonstrate your ability to effectively communicate ideas and advice in a clear, concise and logical manner. Provide examples of assignments that reflect your ability to provide advice, guidance, and consultation to management and staff at all levels. Describe presentations you have given (include their purpose and size of audience.) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, supervisors, agency officials and others. (EXAMPLE: Describe the various types and levels of individuals you routinely interact with and for what purposes. Describe your accomplishments developing and implementing successful approaches to discuss and resolve issues. Provide examples of specific assignments that required you to use tact, diplomacy, and negotiation skills to achieve cooperation and develop consensus.) SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as: Experience in the federal background investigations and adjudications. Specifically, adjudicating cases of a significantly complex or sensitive nature in accordance with various Executive Orders and the authorities cited therein. You must have a thorough understanding of and experience in applying the Security Executive Agent Directive 4, “National Security Adjudicative Guidelines.” A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate should be addressed in your resume. Education Additional Information The duty location of this position is Rockville, MD. In general, employees are expected to be in the office at a minimum of 4 days per pay period. Telework schedules, including full-time telework, are approved, on a case-by-case basis. If selected, telework will be determined in accordance with Agency policy and the Collective Bargaining Agreement, if applicable.