Personnel Security Specialist - Senior

Amentum is a global leader in advanced engineering and innovative technology solutions, trusted by the United States and its allies to address their most significant and complex challenges in science, security and sustainability. Our people apply undaunted curiosity, relentless ambition and boundless imagination to challenge convention and drive progress. Our commitments are underpinned by the belief that safety, collaboration and well-being are integral to success. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, we have approximately 50,000 employees in more than 70 countries across all 7 continents.

Job Description

This position is contingent upon several items including, but not limited to, contract award, security processing, ability to pass a CI polygraph and position availability, which may lead to a lengthy hiring process.

The PSS provides support for security assessment investigations, including background investigations, periodic reinvestigations, and security clearances. Employment suitability determinations and continuous evaluation of employees to ensure eligibility for employment.

• Independently develops various types of manuals, forms, instructions, and the like, to facilitate operation of the FBI Security Program. Participates in special projects such as planning the implementation of new or revised programs.

• Conducts exhaustive and extensive checks in accordance with the FISs, Federal guidelines, policies and procedures. Demonstrates innovative and imaginative approaches to problem solving that adds to the quality and quantity of relevant data recovered in assigned cases.

• Provides direct support and service to the administration of the FBI Security Program by participating in the direction, from inception to completion, of highly sensitive and complex security assessment investigations conducted by the FBI FO’s and rendering appropriate adjudication recommendations regarding the same. Acts as the technical expert in one or more security programs, serve as an assistant to a program manager and provide expert advice and assistance in formulating and implementing policies and procedures.

• Requests, receives, scrutinizes and analyzes FBI Investigative files and related material to determine, isolate, develop and extract all possible identifying or linking information, matching records, questionable/overlapping elements, and viable avenues of investigative pursuit which could have a bearing on individual's ability to hold a security clearance. Analyzes material to develop and detect misrepresentations of facts, any criminal, immoral, or suspicious conduct, any signs of mentally disabling illness, indications of any type of association with hostile intelligence individuals, organizations, or persons of known or suspected questionable character, or fragments of information which furnish reason to sustain suspicion that the subject could be a security risk and/or significant target for coercion.

• Conducts critical analysis of incoming material/correspondence outlining possible serious and/or very sensitive security concerns relating to the most complex security assessment issues for the purpose of determining merit for granting, continuing, and/or revoking security clearances and access authorizations.

• Provides on–the-job training, instruction, guidance and advice to lower-level specialists; assists in the resolution of issues and other problems being encountered during processing of cases. Assists UCs, supervisors, and/or the GPM to provide continuing direction and assistance to other specialists for case(s) particularly sensitive and/or complex in nature; such cases may be reassigned to incumbent to resolve and complete. Reviews cases and routine correspondence to the FOs and/or outside agencies prepared by specialists for transmittal authorization by Government lead.

• Prepares in-depth summaries of data obtained and determined to be pertinent or relevant to a case at hand and compose necessary correspondence to appropriate FO(s) for initiation of an investigation. Provides detailed outlines of background of individual case and information developed from extensive initial research and of the subsequent analysis of same. Defines security vulnerabilities, set forth specific recommendations for the initiation of investigations, recommend leads which are to be addressed and followed, and advise of any restricting regulations, instructions, or information which may hamper the investigation.

• Coordinates with FBI Divisions on foreign nexus/concerns to exploit intelligence for the purpose of making adjudicative determination recommendations.

• Provides an in-depth, high-risk analysis of high risk (potentially serious or high impact) investigations so that the Government lead can make a security and suitability determination. 

• Evaluates reports of investigations, personnel files, and other records to recommend suitability/security determinations. 

• Provides a recommendation regarding the adequacy and completeness of the investigation and of other means by which data were collected, and evaluate the authenticity, veracity, and pertinence of the data to the case, and request additional information as required. 

• Recommends whether a security clearance should be granted, denied, revoked, or suspended, as appropriate. 

• Recommends and then coordinates the execution of polygraph examinations and/or interviews to be conducted based upon acute analysis of all data developed. Composes appropriate communications to pertinent FBI HQ Divisions and FOs to initiate same, providing detailed justification as to recommendations that same be carried out and setting forth any specific instructions which should be followed in regard to same (i.e., particular areas in question which need to be addressed/resolved; special qualifications desired of interviewer; sensitive areas to avoid; and the like).

• Correlates and assimilates all data obtained and developed, prepares a formal written analysis of the security concerns, vulnerabilities, risks, and their resolutions. Provides thorough consideration to information developed, degree of security risk involved, special staffing requirements/hiring needs of the FBI at the time, individual's specialized qualifications and the "whole-person" concept, provides recommendation for proper adjudication decision on a caseby-case basis as to the approval, denial, or revocation of security clearance and/or access authorization which will ultimately lead to the firing or retention of an individual, as well as, any necessary remedial administrative action or precautionary measures to meet the minimum standards to obtain/maintain a security clearance/access authorization.

• Coordinates and correlates investigative activity, information gathering, and matters of mutual interest between FOs, Legal Attaches, other Government agencies, and private industry. Make appropriate contacts, either written or telephonically, to provide guidance, obtain and relay information, identify specific objectives, and help resolve complex problems, and/or conflicting information which may otherwise impede the successful accomplishment of efficient, effective, and complete information gathering. Remains alert to, correlate information regarding, and identifies undesirable trends; keeps Government lead informed of such developed information.

• As required, advises of the need for follow-on actions and/or participates in and/or conducts security briefings as individual situations require. Ensure that all FBI employees and contractors are properly advised of potential security risks/vulnerabilities in which approved level of security clearance/access authorizations may expose them to and follow through to ensure individuals are properly debriefed as necessary.

• Receives and follows guidance from Government lead who assigns cases and projects. Processes assignments independently for all aspects of the investigations and preparation of finished reports. Applies general policy in initiating actions or in providing information to FOs for the resolution of unusual problems or difficulties; advises Government lead supervisors of such actions. Consults the Government lead on policy matters that are inherently governmental functions.  Ensuring that all work products submitted to the Government lead are technically accurate and ready for appropriate disposition.  Ensuring all correspondence going to UCs and/or higher - level executives for informational purposes reflects soundness of judgment and follow FBI policy and procedures.

• Analyzes the results of investigations to include results of interviews and polygraph examinations to ensure that all issues have been resolved, that gaps in information have been adequately covered, and that areas of concern have been completely addressed in order to efficiently and effectively support a determination of an individual's eligibility for access to national security information as defined in the SEAD 4 or access to FBI spaces.  

• Ensure cases are handled in compliance with FBI policies and legal requirements. Determines the adequacy of reporting information to develop and set forth leads and provides guidance to the field during course of investigations.

• Adheres to DOJ Orders and FBI regulations and instructions affecting the conduction of background investigations.

 Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have an Active Top Secret US Government Clearance. Note: US Citizenship is required to maintain a Top Secret Clearance.

• Bachelor’s degree 

• 10 years of experience in federal law enforcement or 15 years of experience in the personnel security investigative or investigative analyst field.  Alternative: Associate’s degree with 12 years of experience in federal law enforcement or 17 years of experience in the personnel security investigative or investigative analyst field). *Must be approved by the CO of the Order

• Technical training/certification as an investigator and/or adjudicator is required. 

• Prior security management experience preferred.  

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in any field of study.

• Knowledge of DOJ and FBI regulations regarding the personnel security process.

• Experience conducting interviews and security briefings, discussing analysis and opinion in a concise, logical and objective manner, and preparing written communications setting forth analyses and recommendations.

• Previous experience in security leadership role.

• Strong understanding of security disciplines.

• Demonstrated understanding of the following security – related / investigative guidelines:

• Federal Investigative Standards (FISs)

• Security Executive Agent Directives (SEADs)

• Executive Orders (EOs)

• U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (US CFR)

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Computer skills required: MS Office Suite skills

• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a team environment and relate well to others

• Ability to show initiative and commitment to the company’s goals

• Ability to readily adapt to changing requirements

• Strong commitment to performing and producing at the highest level of quality at all times

• Ability to manage individual workflow effectively and improve processes when necessary

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with coworkers both in written and verbal communications

• Positive attitude focused on customer satisfaction

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in any field of study.

• Detailed knowledge of the FBI Security Program (Security Access / Clearance), its goals and objectives, tenets, and procedures in order to effectively and efficiently plan and carry out assignments and discern and develop new methods of approach.

• Extensive knowledge of the processes and procedures involved with conducting sensitive, complex security matter investigations, from inception to completion, to instigate security BIs;

• Extensive knowledge of FBI's methods of communications and experienced skill in correlating, organizing, and evaluating data in order to compose and prepare necessary documentation to higher authorities to include DOJ and other Government agencies, members of the Intelligence Community, and private industries.

• Thorough understanding of the personnel security analysis interrelationships between FBI components, DOJ, IC, and other agencies to obtain, develop, resolve, and correlate information and efforts, as required.

• Experience and capability to assist others to ensure compliance with FBI procedures and regulations, so that work is complete in an efficient and timely manner.

• Experience in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with representatives of other Government agencies and supervisory and agent personnel of the FBI in order to ensure effective and efficient coordination of matters involving the safeguarding of National Security Information.

Work Environment:

This position is performed in a traditional office environment. 

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand and/or walk; handle or feel objects; and write. Ability to lift up to 25 pounds, bend, reach, carry, stoop, kneel, climb, etc.