Supervisory Security Specialist (Intake Branch Chief)

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service (FPS), Springfield, Virginia.

Duties

The primary purpose of this position is to supervise and direct personnel security intake operations, including the review, validation, and processing of background investigations and related personnel security actions. The position provides technical oversight, policy guidance, and program management to ensure compliance with applicable security requirements. These responsibilities support the Federal Protective Service's mission by promoting workforce integrity, safeguarding sensitive information, and ensuring appropriate personnel security screening. Duties performed: Plans, directs, and supervises Personnel Security Intake Branch operations, establishes priorities, assigns work, evaluates performance, and ensures personnel security requirements and mission objectives are met. Oversees the receipt, review, validation, and processing of background investigations, reinvestigations, continuous vetting referrals, and personnel security actions for applicants, employees, and contractors. Directs reviews of complex personnel security cases to identify discrepancies, evaluate risk indicators, determine investigative requirements, and ensure cases are complete and ready for adjudication. Develops and implements personnel security intake policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with federal regulations, DHS directives, and FPS security requirements. Advises senior leadership and represents FPS in interagency meetings and working groups to resolve complex personnel security issues, recommend policy improvements, and coordinate security program activities. Directs the preparation and review of security correspondence, case summaries, technical guidance, and operating procedures to ensure accuracy, regulatory compliance, and accountability. Manages branch budgets, staffing resources, and contractor support; evaluates workload trends and processing performance to improve operational efficiency and meet mission requirements.

Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Specialized Experience requirements as noted below. Specialized Experience: GS-14: Applicant must demonstrate one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-13 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties: Supervising security program staff by planning and assigning work, setting priorities, managing performance, and/or making personnel decisions; Providing technical advice, recommendations, and guidance to management or stakeholders to address personnel security issues; Leading or overseeing personnel security intake operations, including activities such as reviewing investigations, resolving deficiencies, or assessing case readiness for adjudication; and Evaluating personnel security program policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, investigative standards, and agency requirements. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Limit your resume to two pages. Only resumes 2 pages in length will be accepted to determine eligibility and qualifications. 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 competitive service 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). You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to comply. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification. 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. Conditions of Employment: This is a Drug Testing Designated Position (TDP) and is covered by the Department of Homeland Security Headquarters Drug-Free Workplace Program. The incumbent is required to sign a Condition of Employment form (for certain positions identified as critical under the drug testing program) and must pass urinalysis testing, as required prior to appointment, reassignment, or transfer, and employee will be subject to random testing while employed with the Department in a TDP. Travel: The work may require up to 10% of travel promoting the personnel security program and attending meetings/conferences located throughout the United States.