Duties

Summary

About NRO:
NRO Focuses on designing, building, launching, and maintaining America's intelligence satellites. Whether creating the latest innovations in satellite technology, contracting with the most cost- efficient industrial supplier, conducting rigorous launch schedules, or providing the highest-quality products to our customers, we never lose focus on who we are working to protect: our Nation and its Citizens. For more information about NRO click "Learn more about this Agency" link below.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The NRO will make selections at the GG-13 level for this position.

FOR CURRENT CIVILIAN FEDERAL EMPLOYEES APPLYING PLEASE SEE THE QUALIFICATIONS SECTION BELOW.

As a SECURITY SPECIALIST (POLYGRAPH) you will be responsible for the following duties:
- Functions as a certified polygraph examiner, conducting polygraph examinations ranging from the apparently innocuous to more complex, highly sensitive security issues.
- Ensure polygraph examinations strictly comply with legal and regulatory requirements, and meet the security requirements for the NRO.
- Position conducts examinations of high profile examinees, and/or as necessitated specialized tests following repetitively unresolved examinations.
- Applies DoD Directive 5210.48; DODI 5210.91, ODNI policy and NRO Directives relating to polygraph and personnel security.
- Coordinates with other polygraph examiners and supervisors for guidance as needed.
- Reviews available supporting documents to assess best course of action for polygraph testing when discrepancies occur.
- Serves as an on-site team lead, reporting accountability and daily activities back to a geographically-separated Supervisor.
- Participates in special projects and initiatives, and performs special assignments.
- Provides technical advice to the Supervisor or peers on topics ranging from proper testing formats, test questions, test data analysis or interview approaches.
- Protects classified materials through use of sound security practices for ensuring the safeguarding of classified information.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a US citizen
• SELECTIVE SERVICE REQUIREMENT: Male born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service http://www.sss.gov
• Resume and supporting documents received by 11:59PM EST will be considered
• This is a Drug Testing designated position
• Position is a (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 1601
• Must obtain/maintain Critical Sensitive TS/SCI clearance w/polygraph
• WORK SCHEDULE: Full Time
• OVERTIME: Occasionally
• TOUR OF DUTY: Flexible
• PCS (Permanent Change of Station): Not Authorized.
• FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA): Exempt
• FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Required
• TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: This position is NOT telework eligible
• MOBILITY AGREEMENT: Required NOTICE: Selectee will be required to sign a mobility agreement as a condition of employment.
• SECURITY SPECIALIST (POLYGRAPH) REQUIREMENT: All polygraph examiner candidates must graduate from the National Center for Credibility Assessment (NCCA) Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (PDD) training program.
• Incentives (Recruitment/Retention/Relocation): Yes (may be eligible)

Qualifications

This position is a Senior Level DCIPS position. DCIPS Senior Level positions include GG-13. The NRO is accepting applications from U.S. Citizens and current GS/GG-13 Federal Government employees for this position. Federal government employees, who are currently at a GS/GG-13 or equivalent may ONLY apply for a lateral reassignment at their current grade level, and step.

**Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 2006.

Must be a current federally certified Polygraph Examiner OR certified polygraph examiner with at least two years of experience as a Polygraph Examiner. Once certified, the candidate must meet the minimum standards for DoD Certification continuation as a Polygraph Examiner.

The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0000/security-administration-series-0080/ 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 by02/01/2021.

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, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience is typically in or directly related to the work of the position to be filled. Experience must be reflected in your resume.

Specialized experience required for this position is:

• Applies knowledge of Counterintelligence and Specific Issue polygraph principles and practices to support security and counterintelligence.
• Perform operational counterintelligence (CI), counterespionage (CE) and personnel security polygraph examinations.
• Utilize data-gathering, analytical and evaluative techniques to identify, consider, and resolve issues concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of program policy and operations.
• Utilizes safety and security regulations, practices and procedures to ensure the safeguarding of classified information.
• Prepare reports, provide briefings, and training lessons on a wide-range of issues and topics relating to Intelligence Community (IC) program activities.

Specifically you will be evaluated on the following competencies:
1. Organizational Awareness

2. Counterintelligence

3. Technology Application

4. Information Management

5. Communication

This position has a Basic Requirement for the Security Specialist (Polygraph): All polygraph examiner candidates must graduate from the National Center for Credibility Assessment (NCCA) Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (PDD) training program. Admission to the NCCA PDD training program requires: A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees.

*NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

Education

***NOTE: All polygraph examiner candidates must graduate from the National Center for Credibility Assessment (NCCA) Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (PDD) training program. Admission to the NCCA PDD training program requires:
- U.S. Citizenship
- At least 25 years of age
- Earned baccalaureate degree from a four-year college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education (transcripts must be provided)
- At least two years investigative experience with a recognized U.S. Government agency or other law enforcement agency
- Successful completion of a Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (PDD) examination.

Foreign Education: For further information, click on the following link: FOREIGN EDUCATION

For further information, click on the following link:
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

This position is a Senior Level DCIPS position. DCIPS Senior Level positions include GG-13. The NRO is accepting applications from U.S. Citizens and current GS/GG-13 Federal Government employees for this position. Federal government employees, who are currently at a GS/GG-13 or equivalent may ONLY apply for a lateral reassignment at their current grade level, and step.

**Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 2006.

VETERANS PREFERENCE CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL
In accordance with DoD Instructions 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: http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

All current and former civilian Federal employees must submit a copy of your latest SF50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, salary, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs: This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Other Notes:

• 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.
• Selection under this appointment authority does not confer civil service competitive status.
• All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.
• This is not a Delegating Examining announcement.
• This is a DCIPS excepted service announcement.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. The score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills and abilities required of this position. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

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
National security

Required Documents

The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying as a veteran, applying as a current permanent Federal employee, applying as a reinstatement, etc).

Your complete application includes your COMPLETE resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

The following documents are REQUIRED
1. Your resume:

• Your resume may be submitted in any format. It must include your name and contact information and support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
• For qualifications determinations your resume must contain the dates of employment (i.e.,Month/Year to present").
• For additional information see: What to include in your resume.

2. Transcripts

• This position has a CERTIFICATION requirement so you are required to submit a copy of your transcript.
• College transcript(s), required. We accept unofficial transcripts, as long as they contain the applicant's name, the name of the school, the date and degree that was AWARDED/CONFERRED, and the list of classes and credits earned.
• Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

3. SF-50

• All current civilian Federal employees must submit a copy of your latest SF50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, salary, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc.

4. Veteran's Documents

• DD214 showing character of service, SF-15 Form and VA letter showing final percentage, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty.
• In accordance with DoD Instructions 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.

PLEASE REVIEW THE BELOW LINK FOR OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS needed for proof of eligibility: https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/FourthEstateRequiredSupportingDocumentation%2011-16-2020.pdf?ver=Lgkkn1HW9a8is7V2lyCS2Q%3d%3d

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.