Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Commerce, Office of Security, Honolulu, Hawaii, Norfolk, Virginia, and Washington, District of Columbia. The incumbent will serve as a Security Specialist and will support and implement policy and programmatic efforts by advising operating unit heads on matters related to personnel, information and physical security, as well as other security related programs and procedures.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• Initiating and adjudicating personnel security investigations, reviewing national security clearances and special accesses, and ensuring compliance with Executive Orders, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Department of Commerce policies and procedural requirements.
• Conducting risk assessments and occupant emergency plan reviews for Department of Commerce facilities, and evaluating and recommending measures designed to safeguard personnel to prevent unauthorized access to equipment, facilities, material, and documents, safeguarding them against espionage, sabotage, damage, and theft.
• Ensuring the protection and safe handling of National Security Information (NSI) and sensitive but unclassified information, and ensuring appropriate controls and procedures are in place for access to and storage of Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
• Conducting analytical, planning, and advisory work to develop and evaluate policies and procedures critical to accomplish Office of Security (OSY) mission.
• Supporting Foreign National Visitor/Guest Programs; which includes training sponsors, reviewing visit requests, and maintaining electronic records.

Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
3

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).
• A probationary period may be required.
• This position is subject to pre-employment drug testing and random drug testing thereafter.
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• License required: No
• Pre-employment physical required: No
• Bargaining Unit Position: No
• Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid.
• This position requires a Top Secret clearance. Any required investigations and clearances must be completed before the selectee can be placed in the position.

Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Minimum Qualification requirements as noted below.

Minimum Qualifications: ZA-02/GS-7-10: You qualify for the ZA-02 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the ZA-01/GS-05 grade level in the Federal government, performing the following duties:

• Assisting with performing security functions in various the areas (e.g. personnel, physical, information, communications, technical, and general security administration);
• Assisting with security awareness programs; and
• Assisting with analyzing security information.

OR Successfully completed 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement at the bachelors level in a degree related to this positions field of study.(You must provide transcripts); or a combination of the required experience and education for this grade level -You must submit transcripts.

Minimum Qualifications: ZA-03/GS-11/12: You qualify for the ZA-03 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the ZA-02/GS-09 grade level in the Federal government, performing the following duties:

• Performing security functions in various areas(e.g. personnel, physical, information, communications, technical, and general security administration);
• Providing advice and assistance regarding the establishment of security awareness programs;
• Analyzing security information; and
• Advising customers and leadership on security policies, procedures, and regulations

OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related or a combination of specialized experience and graduate level education. ( Must submit transcripts.)

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one), "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).

NOTE: 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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. For work in the federal service, include the grade level for the position(s).

Education

If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ .

Additional information

The Band 02 is equivalent to the grades 7-10 on the GS pay scale.
The Band 03 is equivalent to the grades 11-12 on the GS pay scale.

Positions may be available in: Norfolk, VA, Honolulu, HI; and the greater Washington, DC area. For Washington, DC, note that you may be required to work in any of the following areas: Washington, DC; Silver Spring, MD; Suitland, MD; Gaithersburg, MD; or Reston, VA.

Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Commerce requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for Top Secret Security clearance as a condition of placement in this Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions (you must submit a DD214-member copy 4).

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Career Transition Assistance Program: This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100 ; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview. The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:

• Skill in working within personnel, physical, information, and communications security programs, and programs associated with the protection of agency personnel.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate physical measures to prevent unauthorized access to equipment, facilities and materials.
• Skill in identifying materials, processes, and information that require protection.
• Skill in developing, analyzing, revising and implementing security policies and other subject matter material to ensure adherence to program requirements and regulations.
• Knowledge of organizational security administrative or management functions, including policies, precedents and procedures.

Based on your responses, you will receive a score from the Assessment Questionnaire. Those applicants who meets or exceeds the cut-off score will be referred to the hiring manager and may be called for an interview. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you will be removed from consideration or your score will be lowered.

Due Weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3), during the the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager.

For Competitive Merit Promotion and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) Applicants: The highest rated candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.

For Noncompetitive Appointment Eligibles: All qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.

To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10906671

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

Trust determination process

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your resume showing a detailed description of your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates with the month and year and hours worked per week (if less than 40) for each paid and non-paid work experience job title listed. FOR WORK IN THE FEDERAL SERVICE, INCLUDE THE GRADE LEVEL FOR THE POSITION(S).
2. Other supporting documents ( only submit if applicable to you) :

• Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) or a list of coursework with hours completed.
• Are you claiming veterans' preference? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 or other (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or notice form. Those applying for 10-Point preference must fill out the SF-15 and provide an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions.
• Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP)? If so, submit:
  • A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
  • A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.;
  • A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  • Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
• Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
  • Position title;
  • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
  • Agency; and
  • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
• Are you a current or former federal employee?
  • A copy of your latest SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'' documenting tenure, position occupied & highest grade/step is needed. You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to demonstrate that you meet time-in-grade requirements. Recommended SF-50s include: promotions and step increases (within grade increases).

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.