The Personnel Security Specialist performs the security-related functions in support of a Network Personnel Suitability and Credentialing Program within a Shared Services Unit, and assures that all appointees have the appropriate level of security/suitability clearance commensurate with their assignment.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/20/2025. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-09 or GS-11 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 or GS-09, respectively. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-09 Grade Level (Developmental) Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-07) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as: applying federal laws, a wide range of federal regulations, agency policies, management practices, and/or information technology procedures; resolving security problems; utilizing automated information systems; coordinating objectives and plans for a personnel security program; and conducting safety and service level risk assessment procedures to ensure compliance with regulations, policies, and procedures. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 (two) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and graduate education beyond the first year. GS-11 Grade Level (Full Performance) Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-09) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as: applying federal laws, a wide range of federal regulations, agency policies, management practices, and/or information technology procedures; interpreting policy originating from higher organizational levels for local adaptation; resolving difficult and complex security problems; utilizing automated information systems; providing various reports via spreadsheet and database software; coordinating objectives and plans for a personnel security program; and conducting safety and service level risk assessment procedures to ensure compliance with regulations, policies, and procedures.. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 (three) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and graduate education beyond 2 full years. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary and is accomplished in an office environment. Some walking and standing may occur in the course of a normal workday. You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Work Environment: The work is normally performed in an office environment, involving everyday risks or discomforts, which require normal safety precautions.
Major duties include but are not limited to: Conduct security and suitability adjudications related to background investigations. Provide recommendations on pre-employment and continued employment considerations. Recommends or takes action on cases where the facts are not completely ascertained or where there is contradictory evidence. Review fingerprint submission results for adjudication. Perform initial intake for post-appointment arrest reports received from VA Central Office. Draft and issue Proposed Action Letters to applicants and appointees whose investigative results contain actionable suitability information. Responsible for the maintenance and accuracy of the personnel security database. Monitors, documents, and evaluates security processes to ascertain trends and make recommendations for appropriate corrective action. Implement policies and procedures for the Personnel Security Program. Administer programs for continuous evaluation of personnel, developing guidelines, procedures, and other materials for use by operating officials. Process and oversee the submission of higher-level investigations to the VA-Adjudication Center (VA-AC) and act as liaison with other services on security issues. Perform audits and spot check the Employee's Official Personnel Folders (eOPFs) to review for compliance with personnel security related documents. Performs other duties as assigned. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Telework: This position may be authorized for telework on an Ad-Hoc basis. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Personnel Security Specialist/PD99950S and PD99652S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.