Personnel Security Specialist

About the role

This vacancy is for a Personnel Security Specialist position located at the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland. The Census Bureau is accessible from the Metro Rail Green Line - Suitland Station. This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Personnel Security Specialist, 0080-9/11/12, FPL GS-12, positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience. To qualify for the position of Personnel Security Specialist, at GS-0080-9/11/12, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below. Specialized Experience: For the GS-09, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes: Assisting with personnel security background investigation processing; Reviewing investigative reports for completeness and discrepancies under guidance; Applying established adjudicative procedures in support of determinations; Maintaining case files in personnel security databases/systems; and Providing customer service or onboarding support related to security processing. OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.B. or J.D., if related. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of specialized experience and graduate-level education that, when combined, meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position. Only graduate education in excess of the first year may be used in combination. Specialized Experience: For the GS-11, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes: Conducting or supporting personnel security investigations and adjudication; Reviewing investigative reports and resolving discrepancies; Applying adjudicative guidelines and suitability criteria; Using personnel security systems/databases; Coordinating onboarding or credentialing activities; and Communicating case status and requirements. OR Education: 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 Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of specialized experience and graduate-level education that, when combined, meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used in combination. Applicants qualifying based on education must submit transcripts. Specialized Experience: For the GS-12, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes: Independently adjudicating Federal personnel security background investigations for suitability or fitness determinations under 5 CFR Part 731 using Federal adjudicative guidelines; Applying personnel security laws, regulations, policies, and adjudicative standards to make employment or access recommendations; Utilizing personnel security systems and databases to manage investigative and adjudicative casework; Reviewing and resolving complex or derogatory investigative information and initiating additional investigative actions when necessary; and Coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, including Federal agencies, regarding personnel security matters and case resolution. Education: Education may not be substituted for specialized experience at this grade level. 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. After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement, 07/08/2026, to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.

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