This position is in the Personnel and Document Security Division (PDSD), Office of Homeland Security (OHS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This position supports PDSD with development and implementation of agency-wide personnel security policy, projects and initiatives to include Trusted Workforce 2.0 implementation. PDSD administers the Department's Personnel Security Program and is responsible for USDA-wide personnel security policy and operations.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions and specialized experience, as defined below. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. Specialized Experience:GS-14: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service or equivalent responsibility in the private sector/pay systems that has equipped the candidate with the particular competencies to successfully perform as a Personnel Security Specialist. For this position, the specialized experience is experience developing, coordinating, and managing Personnel Security policy issuances on Suitability/Fitness, national security eligibility due process and implementation of Continuous Evaluation program, in compliance with established regulations, executive orders, and public law. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Physical Demands The work is primarily sedentary. For the most part, the incumbent may sit comfortably to do the work. There may be some short periods of walking, standing, bending, carrying light items such as papers, books, small parts, driving an automobile, etc. no special physical demands are required to perform the work. Work Environment The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, libraries, residences, or commercial vehicles. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.
Authors, reviews, and analyzes new or amended Personnel Security policies, procedures, practices, reports, etc, and initiates necessary action.
Assesses agency Trusted Workforce 2.0 strategic and operational capabilities, processes, and procedures to measure policy compliance.
Provides authoritative interpretation and guidance on laws, regulations, policies, and procedures concerning all phases of personnel security and national security information access.
Maintains and ensures agency-wide personnel security accuracy and consistency in interpreting and applying Federal personnel security standards and regulations.
Directs the development and implementation of integrated Continuous Evaluation (CE) and associated security programs for the entire agency.
Provides technical advice and oversight in the review of difficult and complex personnel security practices and procedures.
Coordinates with standing and ad-hoc security and intelligence organizations from across the agency to ensure personnel security integration into the overall, integrated agency security program.
Represents PDSD and the Personnel Security Branch on various ad hoc teams or committees who have responsibility for revising or developing procedures.
Coordinates and collaborates with subject-matter experts to ensure all assigned issuances are up-to-date and are properly routed through the issuance process.
Identifies data trends and provides training or written instructions to alleviate errors or issues in the application of established policies, procedures, and/or processes.
Develops training guides, user instructions/manuals, and customer support documentation.