Summary
THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.
This National Guard position is for a PERSONNEL SECURITY SPECIALIST, Position Description Number D2481000 and is part of the NE G3, National Guard.
This job is open to
Internal to an agency
Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.
National Guard and reserves
Current members, those who want to join or transitioning military members.
Clarification from the agency
Nebraska National Guard Area 1 and 2 applicants.
Duties
As a PERSONNEL SECURITY SPECIALIST, GS-0080-9, duties include:
1. As the state's Primary Adjudicator performs suitability adjudications/determinations for the fitness and suitability of civilian employees, contractors and/or applicants for initial and continuing employment retention. Ensures all investigative files are available prior to reviewing and rendering a suitability adjudicative/determination in accordance with suitability guidance and guidelines. Orders any missing investigative files and upon receipt, reviews and analyzes all investigative files for derogatory information. Provides feedback regarding minor derogatory information found in the investigative file. Executes established policies and procedures required for the personnel security program. Implements and executes policies and procedures in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, instructions, and policies. Ensures that sensitive, classified and Privacy Act information is not unnecessarily disclosed and is safeguarded in accordance with regulatory guidance.
2. Receives, reviews, and submits requests for personnel clearances for serviced civilian, contractor, and military personnel. Checks the request for completeness and accuracy and contacts the Unit Security Manager, Supervisor, points of contact at the serviced units, and/or the individual subject of the background/clearance investigation for any questions or corrections that are required. Returns those forms requiring further documentation or correction. Screens personnel, as well as local police records and finance documents for disclosed and undisclosed derogatory information. Questions the subject for clarification on responses that are considered derogatory. Forwards completed form to the appropriate agency for investigation and clearance determination. Coordinates with the Office of Personnel Management and Central Adjudication Facility for updates on the status of the background investigations as required. Notifies the unit security managers of individuals requiring reinvestigation and resubmission of documentation.
3. Establishes relationship and maintains constant contact with US Army Intelligence and Security Command Security Operations Center (ISOC) to receive, respond and process Continuous Evaluation (CE) Alerts in regards to derogatory incidents discovered by ISOC. Ensures initial, follow-up and final incident reports are submitted into JPAS and reported to the Central Adjudication Facility (CAF) for processing through the Defense Information Security System (DISS) for review and security clearance eligibility determination. Advises unit security managers and supervisors on processing documentation for Statements of Reason (SOR), Requests for Information (RFI) or intentions of denial or revocation of security clearances by the CAF. Receives and reviews documentation for completeness and accuracy and contacts the Unit Security Manager, Supervisor, points of contact at the serviced units, and/or the individual subject of the incident report for any questions or further information that is required. Returns forms requiring corrections and requests further documentation if needed.
4. Provides reports, as required, for status on pending or current investigations or periodic reinvestigations. Composes documentation, for supervisors' signature, verifying security clearances for those individuals going to other locations and requests the same of locations with individuals coming to their site. Documents all personnel suitability adjudicative determinations or recommendations in the relevant automated information systems. Ensures the Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS) and Central Verification System (CVS) accurately reflect the suitability adjudicative determination. Keeps abreast of emerging technologies and professional developments to remain current in the field and for being applicable to work assignments. Maintains a continuous liaison relationship with OPM, CAF, the Personnel Security Intelligence Center of Excellence (PSI-CoE), and ARNG offices.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Military membership in the Nebraska Army National Guard is required.
- Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
- Obtain/maintain the level of security clearance/background check required.
- Direct Deposit is mandatory.
Qualifications
NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED: This is a Title 32 excepted service position that requires membership in the Nebraska Army National Guard. Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform daily. Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment. Applicants who are not currently a member of the National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership and employment in the National Guard in the military grade listed in this announcement.
FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING ELIGIBILITY TO JOIN THE NEBRASKA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PLEASE CONTACT THE LOCAL RECRUITING OFFICE AT 402-309-7458.
OPEN AREAS OF CONSIDERATION: AREA 1 and 2
DEFINITION OF AREA(S) OF CONSIDERATION:
AREA 1: Current permanent and indefinite technicians of the Nebraska Army or Air National Guard; and current Title 5 employees of the Nebraska Military Department who are military members of the Nebraska National Guard.
AREA 2: All Drill Status/M-Day members and temporary technicians of the Nebraska Air or Army National Guard.
AREA 3: Current military service members who are willing and eligible to become members of the Nebraska Air or Army National Guard.
AREA 4: All qualified candidates eligible and willing to become a member of the Nebraska National Air or Army National Guard prior to the effective date of hire.
Military Grades: Maximum: E9/CW4/O3; Minimum: E4/WO1/O1; Military Grade inversion within the full time work forces is not permitted. The military grade of the full time supervisor must equal or exceed the military grade of the personnel supervised.
Compatibility will be followed in accordance with 32 USC 709(b) and 10 USC 10216. Compatibility requirements must be met prior to appointment to the position.
Security Clearance/Background Check requirements:
In order to comply with US DOD requirements and ensure the safety and security of the missions, programs, property and personnel of the Nebraska Military Department, employees must obtain the appropriate background investigation and maintain the level of security clearance assigned to their respective work.
Failure to obtain, within one year of appointment, and maintain the designated type of security clearance/background check required for the respective work may result in a job offer being rescinded, separations of employment, or other actions as may be deemed in the best interest of the agency.
Prior to appointment individuals must meet the security clearance requirements for the position or submit the required documents of the Nebraska National Guard, Personnel Security Manager for processing the appropriate investigation. Required forms: SF86, PSIP Initiation Form, Fingerprints, OF306 and Application/Resume.
Nebraska National Guard Personnel Security Manager - Please send all inquires to ng.ne.nearng.mbx.persec@army.mil
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Experience, education or training in collecting and analyzing data effectively, efficiently, and accurately. Able to apply procedures and directives by reading and interpreting technical material. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing, using presentation and report formats. Demonstrated ability to follow directions, to read, understand, and retain a variety of instructions, regulations, and procedures. Learned ability to assess the surrounding environment to recognize immediate risk levels. Must have the education and validated understanding of the basic principles and concepts of the occupational series and grade for one of the seven organizational program disciplines and its applicable Security Series career.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
GS-09: Do you possess at least 1 year experience at the previous lower grade or equivalent experience and education, knowledge of personnel security concepts, principles, and their application to administer state personnel security programs. This includes a thorough understanding of how to initiate, process, track, and adjudicate required clearance investigations, with proficiency in using security systems like JPAS, CATS, and DISS. The role requires thorough knowledge of analytical methods to evaluate security clearance eligibility, identify and resolve derogatory or conflicting information, and determine eligibility for access to classified and controlled unclassified information. Furthermore, the candidate must have advanced oral and written communication skills to report findings, conduct presentations, and clearly communicate sensitive personnel security processes. This expertise is supported by a practical knowledge of a wide range of DoD and other federal security programs, their interrelationships, and practices.
Education
Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified in the table, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11.
*You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your Educational claims. To receive credit for Education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the Education requirements for this position.*
Additional information
If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).
Individuals with military incentive bonuses may be subject to recoupment.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & NOTES:
1. Attend the ARNG Security Manager Course within 12 months of hire.
2. Obtain the Security Professional Certification(s) within 24 months of hire.
3. This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
4. Must be able to obtain and maintain a top secret clearance with eligibility to access sensitive compartmented information (TS-SCI).
*5. Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day.
6. This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may be subject to duty in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration.
7. This is an Army National Guard dual status technician position which requires military membership.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. Your answers to the assessment questionnaire will be verified against information provided in your resume and other supporting documentation. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position.
In describing your experience, please be clear and specific, we will not make assumptions regarding your experience. If, after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experiences, your rating will be adjusted or you may be excluded from consideration for this position.
Your qualifications will be evaluated against general and specialized experience under the "Qualifications" section.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume showing:
- Contact Information-your name and the best way to contact you.
- Relevant work experience-include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and describe how you meet the required qualifications of the job. Federal jobs should include series and grade.
- Education, certifications or licensures.
2. Other supporting documents (optional)
- Cover Letter
- DD-214
- Other (to include Veterans' Preference Claims)
- SF-50
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link:
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted; you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
Qualified candidates will be referred to the selecting official in the following order:
1. Fully qualified Area 1 applicants
2. Fully qualified Area 2 applicants
The initial cut-off date for first consideration is 11:59 pm, CST, 11 MAR 2026; applications received by this date will have the first opportunity for review. Applications received after this date will be given consideration only if there is a need for further review. If further reviews are required, they will occur weekly or until a certificate of eligibles is exhausted.