Personnel Security Specialist

Washington DC, DC
Full Time
Mid Level

Come make your mark with Watermark!

🎖️ FOUNDED BY USAF VETERANS in 2007, we are proud to be a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business.
🌎 SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS specializing in security and risk management. We’re intimately familiar with DOD security programs and mission requirements.
⭐ OUR CORE VALUES drive every action we take as a company. We strive to exhibit PERSPECTIVE, PASSION, COMMUNICATION, INTEGRITY AND ETHICS, and BALANCE in all we do.
💲 COMPETITIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE to address our employees’ physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being. This includes 100% employer- paid medical insurance, ample paid leave, a free employee assistance program, and a competitive 401k savings plan.  At Watermark, our people come first! 

Personnel Security Specialist

Watermark is seeking a Personnel Security Specialist to review and analyze Tiers 1-5 background investigations, assess pre-employment eligibility in accordance with 5 CFR 731, and utilize systems such as e-QIP, CVS, and ISMS. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong analytical and communication skills to prepare adjudicative reports, provide suitability recommendations, and deliver exceptional customer service while ensuring compliance with federal guidelines. This is a 100% on-site position, reporting to Coast Guard Headquarters (St. Elizabeth's Campus). 

In this role you will….

  • Perform in-depth analysis and evaluation of Personnel Suitability/Security Investigations, security files and other source documents, Evaluate and analyze all available information to determine its authenticity and pertinence, Review suitability documents and related material for information adversely reflecting on individual’s conduct and character, and Package adjudicative cases that are complex requiring management to make final suitability eligibility determinations.
  • Analyze data (e.g., applicant correspondence, court dispositions, and applicable credit reports), highlight key findings and communicate issues/problems (oral and written) for recommendation of determining suitability for pre-employment based on 5 CFR 731 suitability criteria.
  • Conduct supervisory reviews of completed adjudication reports and correspondence activities.
  • Provide a positive customer service experience, communicating regularly with individuals/organizations both internally and externally.
  • Effectively articulate sensitive issues regarding applicants and subjects of investigation.
  • Develop PERSEC materials, such as briefing slides, reports and process guides/manuals with the ability to review and edit materials for content, style, grammar, completeness, technical accuracy, and audience understanding.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned
  • Required travel minimum 10% of the time or up to 4 times per year
Experience Requirements:
  • 10 years relevant experience in personnel security
  • Recent experience (within the last two years) providing pre-screening background investigative support services of Tiers 1-5 (or equivalent background investigation) of SF-85/85P/86, OF-306, fingerprint results and FBI Criminal History Check Results.
  • Advanced proficiency with various types of information technology applications, such as Microsoft Office, including MS Word, Access, Excel and PowerPoint
  • Experience utilizing the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) system and the Office of Personnel of Management (OPM)/Defense Counterintelligence Security Agency (DCSA) Central Verification System (CVS)/Personnel Investigations Processing System (PIPS) to validate the need for background investigation and identify where reciprocity may be applied based on OPM policy.
  • Desirable: experience utilizing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Integrated Security Management System (ISMS) or similar agency systems
  • Excellent Customer Service skills
Education Requirements:
  • A bachelor’s degree in a security related discipline or a minimum of five years documented experience in adjudication, customer service, and PerSec automated systems
Security Clearance Requirements:
  • DOD Secret Clearance
  • Ability to obtain DHS Suitability
Certification Requirements: 
  • Must have completed the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Essentials of Suitability Adjudication Program and/or Basic Adjudication courses or similar applicable training related to suitability and/or adjudication.
Other Requirements:
  • Reports to a physical location and requires the ability to traverse between buildings
  • 10% Travel Required
  • May require sedentary work at least 50% of the time
  • Must be able to regularly lift up to 50 lbs
  • Ability to manage stress with a high degree of maturity/professionalism
  • Demonstrated critical thinking and leadership skills and the ability to work well with others
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills

KEYWORDS: personnel security, PERSEC, Tiers, OF306s, CVS, DISS, Excel, Investigations, Adjudication

The anticipated compensation range for this position is $90,000 -$105,000. Multiple considerations are taken into account when determining the final salary/hour rate, including but not limited to, Contract Wage Determination, education and certifications, relevant work experience, related skills and competencies, as well as Federal Government Contract Labor categories.  Central to Watermark’s employment philosophy is the wellbeing of our employees which is why we offer a robust benefits package and wellness program alongside of annual base compensation.

Watermark is an equal opportunity employer.  All terms and conditions of employment are established without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws
 

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