Personnel Security Specialist - Open to all U.S. Citizens Job in Alexandria, VA

Vacancy No. OCSM-2120-DE-12587972-25 Department National Credit Union Administration
Salary $130,623.00 to $205,078.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/30/2024 Close Date 11/14/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Alexandria, VA


Summary

The NCUA is ranked #9 for the 2023 best places to work in the Federal government (mid-size agencies).

This position is at the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) in the Office of Continuity and Security Management (OCSM). This position serves as a Personnel Security Specialist.

Duties

As a Personnel Security Specialist, you will:

  • Assists senior Personnel Security Specialists in the development and implementation of policies and programs to assess and enhance personnel security for applicants, appointees, employees, and contractor staff.
  • Review and evaluate reports of investigations conducted by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), and other agencies to adjudicate for personnel suitability/security and identify the presence of unfavorable information.
  • Completes designation of position descriptions for public trust risk and National Security sensitivity.
  • Provides guidance and instruction regarding the NCUA and DCSA vetting process to include the requirements of a background investigation to NCUA managers, specialists, employees, contractors, and liaisons.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Suitable adjudication of background/security investigation is required.
  • A probationary/trial period may be required.
  • Drug testing is required.
  • A financial disclosure is required.
  • Must complete initial online questionnaire.
  • Applicants must complete an assessment battery (i.e., Assessment Questionnaire and USA Hire Assessment) via the USA Hire platform if notified to do so.
  • This position requires a Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).

Qualifications

Specialized experience is the experience that has equipped you with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

All applicants applying for the CU-13 level must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the CU/GS-12 level obtained in the private or public sector.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience:
  • Performing suitability adjudications and rendering a determination.
  • Preparing written material related to personnel security matters. AND
  • Providing guidance on personnel security policies or processes.

You must meet the qualifications for this position by the closing date of this announcement.
Please note, all experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

YOUR RESUME MUST provide specific details as to how your experience meets the specialized experience and support your responses to the online questionnaire as described in the vacancy announcement. When describing your experience in your resume, please be specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. Please ensure that your resume includes the grade (if you are a current or previous federal employee), month, and year that you began and ended for each position held or that position may not be credited toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. Full-time employment will be assumed unless otherwise stated on your resume. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Failure to provide details will result in an ineligible rating.

Your resume must also support your responses to the online questionnaire. Failure to provide support may result in a lower rating and/or you may be excluded from consideration. Your latest resume submitted for this vacancy announcement will be used to determine qualifications and supersedes previous submissions.

Education

Education may not be used in lieu of experience for this opportunity.

Additional information

SALARY: Pay will be set within the advertised pay range to align with the selectee's skills and experience and the requirements of the position in accordance with NCUA's compensation policy.

The salary range shown is NCUA's Local Pay Rate (LPR) which includes the locality rate for the Alexandria, Virginia geographical area. Please click here to review all salary ranges based on locality.

SELECTIVE SERVICE: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. You may register or check the status of your registration by visiting the Selective Service website at http://www.sss.gov/.

This position is not in the bargaining unit.

Effective January 1, 2010, OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES (political) employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the point of contact listed on this vacancy announcement.

The Fair Chance Act: In accordance with the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (Fair Chance Act), 5 U.S.C. Sec. 9202, and 5 C.F.R. Part 920, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) may not request, in oral or written form, that an applicant for employment disclose criminal history record information before the NCUA makes a tentative offer of employment, absent an exception. Complaints that the NCUA violated the Fair Chance Act must be submitted to LaborEmpRelations@NCUA.GOV or to the Office of Human Resources, Employee Relations, National Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 within 30 days from the agency's alleged non-compliance with the Fair Chance Act.

Illegal drug use by individuals working for or on behalf of the federal government, whether on duty or off duty, is contrary to the efficiency of the service and in direct violation of the Controlled Substance Act and the Drug-Free Workplace Act.

NCUA IS A COMPETITIVE SERVICE FEDERAL AGENCY.

NCUA uses E-Verify, a web-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more aboutE-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

More than the number of positions listed may be filled through this vacancy announcement.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

For Category Rating: Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the competencies required for this position.

Your application package will be reviewed for completeness (resume, completed assessment questionnaire, and supporting documentation). You will not be considered if you fail to submit all the required documents as outlined in this vacancy announcement.

If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of three categories:
Best Qualified - Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position.
Well Qualified - Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position.
Qualified - Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position.

The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

The self-assessment questions have been developed to evaluate your competency in the following areas:
Accountability, Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Flexibility, Influencing/Negotiating, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Oral Communication, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, Teamwork, Technical Competence, and Written Communication

Reference Checks: Reference checks must be conducted for the top candidate(s) before a tentative offer may be extended. The reference checks will need to be conducted with current and former supervisors, if applicable, as a part of NCUA's selection assessment process.

If you are found to be among the highly qualified candidates, your application will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, please click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12587972

Application of Veterans' Preference: The category rating process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the CU-09 level or higher).

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package which includes:
1. Resume (required)
2. Other supporting documentation:

  • Cover letter (optional)
  • Veterans' documentation (see below for requirements)
  • CTAP/ICTAP documentation (see below for requirements)
  • Most recent performance appraisal, optional
VETERANS:
If you wish to receive consideration for veteran's preference you must submit a copy of your veteran's documentation including a DD-214 (member 4 copy preferred, however, the documentation provided must contain dates and character of service) along with a VA letter, SF-15, etc., if applicable. If you are a current active duty service member, please submit an official statement of service from your command.

If you are a current active duty military member who does not have a DD-214 and is claiming preference under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces indicating that you will be discharged or released under honorable conditions from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. Certifications must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, the character of service, military rank, type of discharge, and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by, or by the direction of military members' military personnel offices, unit commanders or higher headquarters.

CTAP/ICTAP: Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof of their eligibility:
  • Copy of agency notice;
  • Most recent performance rating; and
  • SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location or Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction In Force separation notice.
To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above on the rating criteria for this position. For additional information, click CTAP.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the "Required Documents" section.

Click here for tips and information on how to apply for federal jobs.

YOUR APPLICATION AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ( i.e. TRANSCRIPTS, CERTIFICATIONS, etc.) MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59:59 P.M. ET ON 11/14/2024 TO RECEIVE CONSIDERATION.

To begin, click "Apply Online" to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account. You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for reasonable accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for reasonable accommodations must be received before starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for reasonable accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need reasonable accommodations, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here:
https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire

Those who self-identify as meeting the requirements of the position (e.g. education, certification, specialized experience, etc.) will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. The invitation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments will be sent from the email address assessments@USAHire.opm.gov. Please plan to set aside at least three (3) hours for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the "Additional Application Information" page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the "Application Status" link, and then select the "More Information" link for this position. The "Application Status" page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

Agency contact information

Amanda Brown
Address
National Credit Union Administration
1775 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments.

Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.