PERSONNEL SECURITY SPECIALIST (ADJUDICATOR) at Department of Defense

Top Secret

Duties

As a PERSONNEL SECURITY SPECIALIST (ADJUDICATOR) you will be responsible for the following duties: Reviews and evaluates personnel security investigations, incident reports, and continuous evaluation alerts for derogatory information. Determines or makes a recommendation whether or not the granting, denial, or revocation of a clearance is in the best interest of national security. Uses "whole person" concept when making such recommendations. Under HSPD-12, the incumbent reviews security related information and makes a recommendation on whether or not an individual is eligible for access to DoD controlled facilities and information systems. Determines the sufficiency of personnel security investigations. Resolves situations complicated by discrepant or insufficient data, evidence, or testimony by initiating requests for (any of the following): additional investigations, drug/alcohol evaluations; medical/psychological evaluations; credit reports; military records; and/or subject interviews. Analyzes the results of subsequent investigations and makes a recommendation to grant, deny, or revoke a security clearance. Documents all personnel security determinations or recommendations in the relevant automated information systems. Uses computer software such as analysis tools to research and facilitate work. Keeps abreast of emerging technologies and professional developments to remain current in the field and for application to work assignments. Maintains an Adjudicator Experiences Checklist.

Qualifications

The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: Security Administration Series 0080 (opm.gov) for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 10/13/2025 Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, and will typically be demonstrated by working at, or immediately below the level of the job being advertised, for a year or more. The previous work experience must clearly demonstrate the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position. For the GG-07: You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade GS/GG-05 in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility. Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience. Specialized experience for the GG-07 position includes: Assisting with the review of personnel security questionnaires that contain issues concerning national security. If substituting education for experience, at the GG-07 level, you must possess a bachelor's or equivalent degree. For the GG-09: You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade GS/GG-07 in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility. Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience. Specialized experience for the GG-09 position includes: Reviewing personnel security questionnaires that contain issues concerning national security; Preparing correspondence on Continuous Evaluation and Personnel Security matters; Developing materials for briefings aimed at providing guidance, resolution of problems, and assurance of coordinated/uniform personnel security operations. If substituting education for experience, at the GG-09 level, you must possess a Master's or equivalent degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such as degree or LL.B. or J.D. Specifically you will be evaluated on the following competencies: 1. Decision Making: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change. 2. Personnel Security: Apply personnel security principles and methods to process initial investigations, clearances, periodic re-investigations, and clearance upgrades/downgrades, suspension, revocations, terminations, reinstatements and to complete the adjudication, and appeals processes. Evaluate internal and external security clearance requests and ensures applicant's actions are consistent with regulatory requirements. Analyze and report on clearance and appeals findings to senior security officials and makes appropriate notifications. 3. Self Management: Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.

Education

If substituting education for experience, transcripts MUST be provided with conferred date. Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position. Superior Academic Achievement does not apply to DCIPS positions. Foreign Education: For further information, click on the following link: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Other Information

VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria. Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period. If selected, Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for a DCIPS excepted service positions. If selected, non-DCIPS candidates must acknowledge in writing that the position they have been selected for is in the excepted service and covered by DCIPS. All Defense Intelligence positions under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) are in the excepted service by specific statue, 10 U.S.C. 1601. This position is in the excepted service and does not confer competitive status. For more information on the DCIPS occupational structure click here. For more information about career advancement in DCIPS click here.