Personnel Security Specialist

ORAU is currently seeking a Personnel Security Specialist for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This is a one-year base contract with 4 option years. The Personnel Security Specialist provides support for security assessment investigations, including background investigations, periodic reinvestigations, and security clearances. By assessing trustworthiness and reliability, Personnel Security Specialists protect sensitive information, secure operations, and support the FBI's mission to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution.

• Independently develops various types of manuals, forms, instructions, and the like, to facilitate the operation of the FBI Security Program. Participates in special projects, including planning the implementation of new or revised programs.
• Conducts exhaustive and extensive checks in accordance with the FISs, Federal guidelines, policies, and procedures. Demonstrates innovative and imaginative approaches to problem-solving that add to the quality and quantity of relevant data recovered in assigned cases.
• Requests, receives, scrutinizes, and analyzes FBI Investigative files and related material to determine, isolate, develop, and extract all possible identifying or linking information, matching records, questionable/overlapping elements, and viable avenues of investigative pursuit which could have a bearing on an individual's ability to hold a security clearance. Analyzes material to develop and detect misrepresentations of facts, any criminal, immoral, or suspicious conduct, any signs of mentally disabling illness, indications of any association with hostile intelligence individuals, organizations, or persons of known or suspected questionable character, or fragments of information which furnish reason to sustain suspicion that the subject could be a security risk and/or significant target for coercion.
• Conducts critical analysis of incoming material/correspondence outlining possible serious and/or very sensitive security concerns relating to the most complex security assessment issues for the purpose of determining merit for granting, continuing, and/or revoking security clearances and access authorizations.
• Provides on–the-job training, instruction, guidance, and advice to lower-level specialists; assists in the resolution of issues and other problems being encountered during the processing of cases. Assists UCs, supervisors, and/or the GPM to provide continuing direction and assistance to other specialists for case(s) particularly sensitive and/or complex in nature; such cases may be reassigned to the incumbent to resolve and complete. Reviews cases and routine correspondence to the FOs and/or outside agencies prepared by specialists for transmittal authorization by the Government lead.
• Provides direct support and service to the administration of the FBI Security Program by participating in the direction, from inception to completion, of highly sensitive and complex security assessment investigations conducted by the FBI FOs and rendering appropriate adjudication recommendations regarding the same. Acts as the technical expert in one or more security programs, serves as an assistant to a program manager, and provides expert advice and assistance in formulating and implementing policies and procedures.
• Prepares in-depth summaries of data obtained and determined to be pertinent to a case at hand, and composes necessary correspondence to appropriate FO(s) for initiation of an investigation. Provides detailed outlines of the background of the individual case and information developed from extensive initial research and of the subsequent analysis of the same. Defines security vulnerabilities, sets forth specific recommendations for initiating investigations, recommends leads to be addressed and followed, and advises of any restricting regulations, instructions, or information that may hamper the investigation.
• Coordinates with FBI Divisions on foreign nexus/concerns to exploit intelligence for the purpose of making adjudicative determination recommendations.
• Provides an in-depth analysis of high-risk (potentially serious or high-impact) investigations so the Government lead can make a security and suitability determination.
• Evaluates reports of investigations, personnel files, and other records to recommend suitability/security determinations.
• Provides a recommendation regarding the adequacy and completeness of the investigation and of other means by which data were collected, and evaluates the authenticity, veracity, and pertinence of the data to the case, and requests additional information as required.
• Recommends whether a security clearance should be granted, denied, revoked, or suspended, as appropriate.
• Recommends and then coordinates the execution of polygraph examinations and/or interviews to be conducted based upon an in-depth analysis of all data developed. Composes appropriate communications to pertinent FBI HQ Divisions and FOs to initiate same, providing detailed justification as to recommendations that same be carried out and setting forth any specific instructions which should be followed regarding same (i.e., particular areas in question which need to be addressed/resolved; special qualifications desired of interviewer; sensitive areas to avoid; and the like).
• Correlates and assimilates all data obtained and developed, and prepares a formal written analysis of the security concerns, vulnerabilities, risks, and their resolutions. Provides thorough consideration to information created, degree of security risk involved, special staffing requirements/hiring needs of the FBI at the time, individual's specialized qualifications and the "whole-person" concept, provides recommendation for proper adjudication decision on a case-by-case basis as to the approval, denial, or revocation of security clearance and/or access authorization which will ultimately lead to the firing or retention of an individual, as well as, any necessary remedial administrative action or precautionary measures to meet the minimum standards to obtain/maintain a security clearance/access authorization.
• Coordinates and correlates investigative activity, information gathering, and matters of mutual interest between FOs, Legal Attaches, other Government agencies, and private industry. Makes appropriate contacts, either written or telephonically, to provide guidance, obtain and relay information, identify specific objectives, and help resolve complex problems, and/or conflicting information which may otherwise impede the successful accomplishment of efficient, effective, and complete information gathering. Remains alert to, correlates, and identifies undesirable trends; keeps the Government lead informed of such trends.
• As required, advises of the need for follow-on actions and/or participates in and/or conducts security briefings as individual situations require. Ensures that all FBI employees and contractors are adequately advised of potential security risks/vulnerabilities to which approved levels of security clearance/access authorizations may expose them, and follow through to ensure individuals are debriefed adequately as necessary.
• Receives and follows guidance from the Government lead who assigns cases and projects. Processes assignments independently for all aspects of the investigations and preparation of finished reports. Applies general policy in initiating actions or in providing information to FOs for the resolution of unusual problems or difficulties; advises the Government lead supervisor of such actions. Consults the Government lead on policy matters that are inherently governmental functions. Ensures that all work products submitted to the Government lead are technically accurate and ready for appropriate disposition.  Ensures that all correspondence sent to UCs and/or higher-level executives for informational purposes reflects sound judgment and is in compliance with FBI policy and procedures.
• Analyzes the results of investigations to include results of interviews and polygraph examinations to ensure that all issues have been resolved, that information gaps have been adequately covered, and that areas of concern have been thoroughly addressed to efficiently and effectively support a determination of an individual's eligibility for access to national security information as defined in the SEAD 4 or access to FBI spaces.
• Ensures cases are handled in compliance with FBI policies and legal requirements. Determines the adequacy of reporting information to develop and set forth leads and provides guidance to the field during the course of investigations.
• Adheres to DOJ Orders, FBI regulations, and instructions affecting the conduct of background investigations.

• Bachelor’s degree
• 15 years of experience in federal law enforcement or 17 years of experience in the personnel security investigative or investigative analyst field
• Alternative: Associate’s degree with 17 years of experience in federal law enforcement or 19 years of experience in the personnel security investigative or investigative analyst field (Based on the type of experience, and would need approval before hiring)
• Must have a Top Secret Clearance, Poly is a plus.
• Technical training and/or certification as an investigator and/or adjudicator is required.
• Prior security management experience preferred.