Summary This position is located in Office of Finance and Operations, Office of Security, Facilities, and Logistics Services, Personnel Security and Emergency Preparedness Division in Washington, DC. The Personnel Security and Emergency Preparedness Division is responsible for a variety of security related functions to include review of classified national security information related functions. Responsibilities APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 200 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 200th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first. We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application. As a Security Assistant, GS-0086-06, you will be responsible for: - Initiating Background Investigations for applicants, appointees, employees and contractors. - Evaluating the authenticity, veracity and pertinence of data to the case in hand. - Serving as point of contact for routine inquiries from other program agencies. - Researching and gathering data and correlating large amounts of narrative and statistical information. As a Security Assistant, GS-0086-07, you will be responsible for: - Reviewing requests for background investigations to ensure that all required information is provided; makes requests for missing information from the applicant or employee. - Initiating appropriate background investigations based upon position risk or sensitivity level. - Evaluating pertinent data in a background investigation to identify the presence or absence of derogatory information and, with more experienced Specialist, determine the impact of various kinds of (derogatory information on the granting, denying, or revoking of security clearances, or determine suitability for employment in sensitive, public trust, or non-sensitive positions. - Maintaining liaison with all levels of the agency, and other pertinent Federal agencies, in matters pertaining to personnel security or suitability. Serves as the first point of contact for the Office of Personnel Management, and other investigative agencies conducting background investigations. Requirements Conditions of Employment Relocation will not be paid. Must be a US Citizen Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service. You may be subject to serve a one-year probationary period. Must Complete a Background Investigation and Fingerprint check. Condition of Employment: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary period or trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: - your performance and conduct; - the needs and interests of the agency; - whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and - whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. We will consider all qualifying experience, including any volunteer experience. Qualifications Minimum Qualification Requirements You may meet the minimum qualifications if you meet the specialized experience below: Specialized Experience for the GS-06 One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-05 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments: 1. Experience reviewing initial employment background investigation forms for accuracy and completeness. 2. Experience in receiving and processing employment background investigation documents within timely deadlines. 3. Experience corresponding to the contractor, employee, and applicant employment background investigation related inquiries in a professional and courteous manner. Specialized Experience for the GS-07 One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-06 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments: 1. Experience in utilizing personnel security computer applications and resources to ensure regulatory compliance with security policies, programs, or operating instructions. 2. Experience in conducting employment pre-screening determinations by reviewing and evaluating criminal history, fingerprint results and/or complete background investigations. 3. Experience in evaluating suitability of security applications by obtaining arrest disposition information, analyzing case information, or composing documents regarding the issuance, suspension, denial and/or revocation of security clearances. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement). GS-06 1. Knowledge of the OPM e-Qip system; position risk and sensitivity levels as they relate to background investigations. 2. Knowledge of the Credentialing, Suitability and security clearance Decision Making Guide. 3. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing to present recommendations and coordinating efforts with Department staff. 4. Ability to analyze and make decisions using own judgment in any situation. GS-07 1. Knowledge of personnel security processes and of personnel investigations processing systems necessary to perform background investigations. 2. Ability to use analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to complete reports, accomplish projects, and evaluate results for the management and completion of programs. 3. Knowledge of a wide range of security specialties, concepts, principles, criteria, requirements, technology, and practices. 4. Skill in using computers and computer applications effectively to analyze and communicate personnel security related information in the appropriate forms. Education Education cannot be substituted for experience for this position and grade level. Additional Information Veterans' Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email careers@ed.gov to schedule a session with a career counselor ("Veterans Counseling Session" should be placed in the subject line of the email). Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment. Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and successfully complete a pre-appointment investigation/background check. Essential/Non-Essential: This position is considered non-essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures. Financial Disclosure: This position does not require) financial disclosure. Bargaining Unit: This position is not included in the bargaining unit. Selections: Agencies have broad authority under law to hire from any appropriate source of eligibles and may fill a vacancy in the competitive service by any method authorized. We may make additional selections from this vacancy announcement within 90 days from the date the selection certificates are issued, should vacancies occur. We may also share selection certificates amongst program offices across the agency.
