Supervisory Personnel Security Specialist (Deputy Director, Personnel Security) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. HHS-ONS-DE-26-12855762 Department Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services
Salary $142,488.00 to $185,234.00 Grade 14 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/8/2026 Close Date 1/13/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Immediate Office of the Secretary, headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia.

Please note that this JOA will close at 11:59PM on the date that the 50th application has been received.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Military spouses

Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Duties

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING DAY TO DAY

As an Supervisory Personnel Security Specialist (Deputy Director, Personnel Security) , you will use your knowledge and experience to optimize business results and customer experience by:

  • Formulates policies and procedures to be approved by senior management from a personnel security and suitability standpoint and are designed to meet personnel requirements of HHS and satisfy the provision of existing statutes and executive orders governing federal government programs.
  • Makes final determinations and recommendations for national security clearance
    requests/access to the Director of PSD and requests to the Agency for SCI
    access/eligibility for HHS employees as necessary.
  • Makes similar decisions relative to keeping security clearances updated for HHS employees who have been the subject of a special investigation or inquiry.
  • Provides leadership to a subordinate staff of highly technical and administrative personnel, including Federal Government employees and contractors through subordinate supervisors and/or team leaders.
  • Performs critical analyses and evaluation of background investigative reports and other information obtained from a multitude of sources related to national security and the suitability of applicants being considered for employment with HHS.
  • In addition to exercising supervisory authority over subordinate staff, the incumbent exercises delegated managerial authority to develop both short-term and long-range program plans; identify and integrate requirements; and generate and guide the development of strategies to address evolving counterintelligence efforts and the development and implementation of security programs for national security information.
  • As DAD, the incumbent fully shares in the supervision of the PSD with the AD by
    managing, planning, directing and executing all Personnel Security Directorate
    operations.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service - http://www.sss.gov
  • Suitable for federal employment
  • Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. All information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.
  • Documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.
  • All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date.
  • Probationary (or trial) period may be required.
  • Appointment to the position will be contingent upon a negative applicant drug test result and be subject to random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident drug testing upon hiring.

Qualifications

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Minimum Qualifications: You must have one year specialized experience to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service performing at least ALL of the following:

  • Developing policies and procedures to strengthen personnel security and background review processes.
  • Making final decisions on cases involving derogatory background findings, including approving or denying access authorizations.
  • Leading a subordinate staff of technical and administrative employees and contractors, managing their work through supervisors and team leaders.
  • Providing expert guidance on personnel security and background review matters.
  • Developing long-term plans to reduce risks related to personnel security and background investigations.
  • Managed a personnel security program to ensure compliance with national security federal regulatory requirements.

Documenting experience: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational application questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above.

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; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited.

OPM Qualification General Policies Website

Education

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov.

Note: Applications can be accepted from students who expect to complete qualifying education within 9 months from the date of application. Education was completed successfully before the applicant can be appointed.

Additional information

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon multiple factors, including funds availability. If authorized, certain incentives may require you to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a period of up to 3 years. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Incentives may include the following: moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentive; student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc.

Bargaining Unit Position: NO

Research position: NO

Drug Screening Required: YES
Applicants selected for this position will be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring.


Veterans' Preference - https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/

Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP/ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an CTAP/ICTAP eligible see http://opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85.0 or above on the rating criteria for this position.

Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. 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 Human Resources Office.

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.

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.

After the application period closes, we will review your resume and supporting documents and compare them to your responses to the application questionnaire to determine whether you meet the qualifications for this position. If it is determined that you have overstated or misrepresented your qualifications or experience, you may be removed from consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully, as errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this announcement. Evaluation will be based on your application materials (such as your resume and supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and the results of all required assessments.

Resume Requirement
Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages in length.

Minimum Qualification Question
As part of the application process, you must answer a minimum qualification question addressing whether you meet the Specialized Experience required for this position, as described in this announcement.

Applicants who respond "No" to the minimum qualification question will be screened out and will not receive further consideration. Your response must be supported by the experience documented in your resume. If your resume does not demonstrate the required Specialized Experience, you may be found not qualified.

Assessment Process

SME Resume Review
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine whether you meet the required Specialized Experience.

SME Structured Interview
If you pass the resume review, you may be invited to participate in a structured interview with one or more SMEs to further assess the required competencies.


Applicants who successfully pass both the resume review and the structured interview and are ranked among the best qualified will be referred to the Hiring Manager for consideration.

You must complete all required steps in the process, including submitting an application and resume and participating in the structured interview, to be considered for this position.

Category Rating
We will use category rating procedures to evaluate and rank qualified applicants based on how closely their experience matches the required competencies:

  • Best Qualified: Experience closely matches the position requirements

  • Well Qualified: Experience is very similar to the position requirements

  • Qualified: Meets the minimum qualification requirements

Only applicants in the highest category will be referred to the hiring agency.

Veterans' preference does not add points but places eligible veterans ahead of non-preference applicants within each category. Preference-eligible veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more will be placed in the highest category, except for certain GS-9 or higher scientific or professional positions.


You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

    • Decisiveness
    • Leadership
    • Policy Development
    • Strategic Thinking
    • Technical Credibility

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12855762

Overstating qualifications or cheating on an assessment may result in removal from consideration.

Required Documents

Failure to submit a resume and any other required documentation identified in this announcement will result in removal from further consideration.

Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. You must provide a complete online Application Package which includes:

  • Your Resume: Resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length. Application requirements are clearly stated in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Your resumemust clearly articulate how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the qualifications section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the application questionnaire. For each position you must describe your duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities. Your resume must also include the day, month, and year that you began and ended for each position held. Full-time employment will be assumed unless otherwise stated on your resume. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Not providing this information may result in the lowering of your assessment score or an ineligible rating.
  • Other required supporting documents.
Other Supporting Documents: (Only Submit if applicable to you.)
  • College transcript (if qualifying all or in part based on your education)
  • Veterans' Preference documentation:
    • Discharged Veterans: If you are claiming 5 point preference, you must submit a copy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the armed forces that supports dates of service and discharge status; if claiming 10 point preference, an application for 10-Point Veterans Preference (SF-15) and an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference.
    • Active Duty Members: Under the VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, if claiming 5 point preference, submit written documentation from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package.
  • CTAP/ICTAP Documentation
    • A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
    • A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.;
    • A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
    • Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
  • Military Spouse Documentation
    • Overseas Military Spouse: You are required to submit a copy of your Military sponsor's PCS orders and a valid marriage certificate or other documentation verifying marriage (such as any official documentation verifying a recognized common law marriage). Additionally, if applicable, a copy of your most recent SF-50.
    • Certain Military Spouse: You may be eligible to apply non-competitively under three categories of military spouses. For all categories, you are required to submit a valid marriage certificate or other documentation verifying marriage (such as any official documentation verifying a recognized common law marriage). Additional supporting documentation requirements differ for each category.
      • 1) If you are applying as a spouse of a service member on active duty, you are required to submit a copy of the service member's current orders or a Statement of Service letter. The Statement of Service must be signed by the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of the service member's unit or higher headquarters, AND the Statement of Service letter must include dates of active duty service. Additionally, if you are a current federal employee, you must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50.
      • 2) If you are applying as a spouse of a service member who incurred a 100% disability because of the service member's active duty service, you are required to submit a copy of your spouse's DD-214 and a copy of documentation from the Department of Veteran's Affairs or the Department of Defense indicating the service member has a disability rating of 100% due to a service connected disability.
      • 3) If you are applying as a spouse of a service member who was killed while on active duty, you are required to submit a copy of your spouse's DD-1300 documenting the service member was killed while on active duty and a statement certifying that you have not remarried.

You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

For Résumé Tips visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk

For Application Tips visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqYkibnuiJU

For additional information about USAJOBS visit the Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/

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

Resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length. Application requirements are clearly stated in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Failure to submit a resume and any other required documentation identified in this announcement will result in removal from further consideration.

*To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

*Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
*It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.


To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/13/2026.

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions within HHS in the same local commuting area. By applying, you agree to share your application with HHS selecting officials. CTAP/ICTAP clearance will be applied, as applicable.

Agency contact information

SROC Help Desk
Phone
-----
Email
SROCHelpDesk@hhs.gov
Address
Immediate Office of the Secretary
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20201
US

Next steps

When the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) completes its selections, the remaining list of qualified candidates may be shared with other federal agencies. You will have an opportunity to opt in if you would like your name, application material, and assessment results shared for consideration of employment with additional agencies. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore other job opportunity announcements.

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. The best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement.

You will receive notice via email or by mail, if no email address was provided by you during the application process, once this process is completed (generally 4-6 weeks).

You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).

HHS has a Critical Preparedness and Response Mission: we protect the American people from health threats, research emerging diseases, and mobilize public health programs with domestic and international partners. HHS' 24/7 Secretary's Operations Center (SOC) unites highly trained experts, well established processes, and state-of-the-art technology to coordinate resources and information as HHS responds to emergencies worldwide.

Every HHS employee has a role in supporting public health emergency management, whether through voluntary temporary assignments to emergency responses or sustaining other HHS programs and activities while colleagues respond.

In addition to their everyday work, HHS offers employees the opportunity to contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.


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