Personnel Security Specialist (Title 32)

Duties

As a Personnel Security Specialist (Title 32) with the Texas National Guard, your duties will include, but will not be limited to:

• As the state's Primary Adjudicator performs suitability adjudications/determinations for the fitness and suitability of civilian employees, contractors and/or applicants for initial and continuing employment retention. Ensures all investigative files are available prior to reviewing and rendering a suitability adjudicative/determination in accordance with suitability guidance and guidelines. Orders any missing investigative files and upon receipt, reviews and analyzes all investigative files for derogatory information. Provides feedback regarding minor derogatory information found in the investigative file. Executes established policies and procedures required for the personnel security program. Implements and executes policies and procedures in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, instructions, and policies. Ensures that sensitive, classified and Privacy Act information is not unnecessarily disclosed and is safeguarded in accordance with regulatory guidance.
• Receives, reviews, and submits requests for personnel clearances for serviced civilian, contractor, and military personnel. Checks the request for completeness and accuracy and contacts the Unit Security Manager, Supervisor, points of contact at the serviced units, and/or the individual subject of the background/clearance investigation for any questions or corrections that are required. Returns those forms requiring further documentation or correction. Screens personnel, as well as local police records and finance documents for disclosed and undisclosed derogatory information. Questions the subject for clarification on responses that are considered derogatory. Forwards completed form to the appropriate agency for investigation and clearance determination. Coordinates with the Office of Personnel Management and Central Adjudication Facility for updates on the status of the background investigations as required. Notifies the unit security managers of individuals requiring reinvestigation and resubmission of documentation.
• Establishes relationship and maintains constant contact with US Army Intelligence and Security Command Security Operations Center (ISOC) to receive, respond and process Continuous Evaluation (CE) Alerts in regards to derogatory incidents discovered by ISOC. Ensures initial, follow up and final incident reports are submitted into JPAS and reported to the Central Adjudication Facility (CAF) for processing through the Defense Information Security System (DISS) for review and security clearance eligibility determination. Advises unit security managers and supervisors on processing documentation for Statements of Reason (SOR), Requests for Information (RFI) or intentions of denial or revocation of security clearances by the CAF. Receives and reviews documentation for completeness and accuracy and contacts the Unit Security Manager, Supervisor, points of contact at the serviced units, and/or the individual subject of the incident report for any questions or further information that is required. Returns forms requiring corrections and requests further documentation if needed.
• Provides reports, as required, for status on pending or current investigations or periodic reinvestigations. Composes documentation, for supervisors' signature, verifying security clearances for those individuals going to other locations and requests the same of locations with individuals coming to their site. Documents all personnel suitability adjudicative determinations or recommendations in the relevant automated information systems. Ensures the Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS) and Central Verification System (CVS) accurately reflect the suitability adjudicative determination. Keeps abreast of emerging technologies and professional developments to remain current in the field and for being applicable to work assignments. Maintains a continuous liaison relationship with OPM, CAF, the Personnel Security Intelligence Center of Excellence (PSI CoE), and ARNG offices.
• May supervise AGR, Title 32, Title 5, contractors, and/or state employees directly, and through subordinate supervisors. Interviews prospective employees. Approves personnel actions, counsels, and evaluates subordinate employees. Assures compliance with Federal and local personnel management policies. Hears employee grievances and complaints; takes necessary informal disciplinary actions and when warranted, proposed formal actions. Implements the provisions of the equal opportunity program and employee/labor relations program and keeps employees informed on all aspects of the personnel program. Reviews positions descriptions and recommends changes where needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Appointment Factor(s): This is an Excepted Service position that requires active membership in a compatible military assignment in the Texas Army National Guard (TXARNG) and wear of the military uniform.

Areas of Consideration: Nationwide Excepted. This includes:

• All currently employed full-time permanent, indefinite and temporary personnel of the Texas Army National Guard.
• All current members of the Texas National Guard and individuals eligible for membership in the Texas Army National Guard.

Remarks:

• Trial period required (see additional information)
• The Texas National Guard is an Equal Opportunity employer.
• Veterans' preference is not applicable to this position.
• Texas Army National Guard Membership is required.
• Direct deposit is mandatory.

Military Requirements :
For Dual-Status Technician positions service affiliation under Title 32 USC 709 is required.

Military skill set is determined by AFSC/MOS requirements. Upon selection, individuals must be assigned to a compatible military AFSC/MOS in accordance with statutes and National Guard Bureau regulations and must obtain/maintain all requirements of the AFSC/MOS.

MOS/AFSC: Army MOS 35 or 42 series preferred, AFSC 1N or 3F series preferred.

Military Grades:
Enlisted: E-4/SPC not to exceed E-7/SFC
Warrant Officer: W-1/WO1 not to exceed W-2/CW2
Officer: O-1/2LT not to exceed O-3/CPT
Other Requirements:

For positions requiring the operation of motor vehicles, candidates must have a valid state driver's license for the state in which they live or are principally employed.

For positions requiring a security clearance (Secret or Top Secret) the applicant must possess or be able to obtain a clearance within one year of appointment.

Qualifications

Helpful Hints for Creating a Two-Page Resume Prioritize most relevant and recent experience. Use concise, results focused language. Align language from the job announcement. Focus on demonstrating skills and competencies. Remove outdated or unrelated experience.

In describing your experience in your resume, please be clear and specific. Assumptions regarding your experience will not be made.

To be considered for qualification, your resume must include relevant experience with beginning and ending dates of employment/experience reflecting the following:

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

Experience, education or training in collecting and analyzing data effectively, efficiently, and accurately. Able to apply procedures and directives by reading and interpreting technical material. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing, using presentation and report formats. Demonstrated ability to follow directions, to read, understand, and retain a variety of instructions, regulations, and procedures. Learned ability to assess the surrounding environment to recognize immediate risk levels. Must have the education and validated understanding of the basic principles and concepts of the occupational series and grade for one of the seven organizational program disciplines and its applicable Security Series career.
Specialized Experience :

At least 1-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-07). With comprehensive knowledge of personnel security concepts, principles, and application for the purpose of administering the states personnel security programs, determining appropriate actions to take for violations of adjudicative guidelines, and adjudicating clearance determinations. Comprehensive understanding of how to initiate, process, track, and adjudicate required clearance investigations- Proficient in the use, operation, and application of a variety of security related automated systems such as JPAS, CATS, CVS, TASS, and other state and federal systems. Thorough knowledge of analytical methods used to evaluate application packets for security clearance eligibility, identification and corrective actions of derogatory information, resolution of conflicting information. Ability to determine eligibility for access to classified and controlled unclassified information and granting personnel security clearance and access in the presence of derogatory information Advanced skills in oral and written communication to write reports, conduct presentations, and/or clearly communicate personnel security processes, regulations, or training, present information that may be sensitive in nature concerning. Practical knowledge of a wide range of DoD and other federal security programs their interrelationships, and practices.

-OR-

A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.

-OR-

A combination of successfully completed post-high school education and experience that may be used to meet total qualification requirements.
Quality of Experience:

Length of time is not of itself qualifying. Candidates' experience should be evaluated on the basis of duties performed rather than strictly on the rank of the individual; however, established compatibility criteria/assignments must be followed. The applicant's record of experience, training, and education must show possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to fully perform the duties of the position to be filled.

Education

Only experience/education gained by closing date of this position will be considered.

If you are using education to qualify for this position, you must provide transcripts to support your educational claims.

A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.

Additional information

Trial Period:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to serve a 1- 2 trial year 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 trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & NOTES:

1. Attend the ARNG Security Manager Course within 12 months of hire.
2. Obtain the Security Professional Certification(s) within 24 months of hire.
3. This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
4. Must be able to obtain and maintain a top secret clearance with eligibility to access sensitive compartmented information (TS-SCI).
*5. Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day.
6. This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may be subject to duty in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration.
7. This is an Army National Guard dual status technician position which requires military membership.