Job Description
The Criminal Division, Office of Administration, Security Programs workforce is hiring a Personnel Security Specialist to manage personnel security, physical security, details security, and emergency management programs.
You’ll carry out and assess investigative verifies, evaluate background investigation paperwork for completeness and derogatory info, and form complicated adjudicative decisions within established timelines.
This role suits existing Department of Justice employees with competitive status who have specialized expertise in security investigations and adjudication. The role is located in Washington, DC, with restricted situational telework open.
As a Personnel Security Specialistyou’ll collaborate with a group to resolve challenging security matters, assist as a liaison for security-related activities, and help with carrying out operational policies and standards.
The Security Programs team is responsible for the full span of security functions across the Criminal Division, making this role central to protecting sensitive data and personnel.
Salary & Compensation
Salary: $102,415 per year.
Qualification
To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must have one year of specialized know-how at or equivalent to GS-11. For GS-13, one year at GS-12. Specialized background covers initiating and processing security investigations, independently reviewing waivers, evaluating investigation results, assessing fitness, and adjudicating cases. There’s no education need.
- GS-12: One year of specialized expertise at or equivalent to GS-11, such as initiating and processing security investigations for employees and contractors. Independently reviewing waivers, evaluating investigation effects, assessing fitness, and adjudicating cases under established guidelines; assisting in developing SOPs, analyzing policy adjusts, and getting ready recurring reports.
- GS-13: One year of specialized know-how at or equivalent to GS-12, covering managing security investigations for employees and contractors and continuous evaluation/vetting procedures. Reviewing and resolving involved derogatory details and discrepancies; assisting in developing SOPs, interpreting policy modifies, and recommending strategic remedies; advising managers and applicants on complex or non-standard i…
- Time-in-Grade: Federal employees must gather time-in-grade requirements by the closing date.
- You must be a U.S. Citizen.
- You must undergo a pre-employment security investigation.
- Selective Solution Registration is required, as suitable.
- You must meet status eligibility: present DOJ employees with path or career-conditional appointments in the competitive offering, or displaced Federal employees eligible under CTAP.
- There’s no education requirement for this role.
Role Responsibilities
Run and examine investigative inspects; evaluate background investigation paperwork for completeness, errors, and derogatory info.
- Offer recommendations to crew lead and supervisor about assessment and resolution of severe derogatory data.
- Review, evaluate, and build intricate adjudicative decisions within established timelines.
- Collaborate with a team of personnel on resolving tricky security matters.
- Cater to as a liaison to arrange security-related activities within the body.
- Finalize day-to-day operational activities to back the security plan.
- Help with rolling out operational policies, procedures, programs, and standards.
Conditions & Requirements
You must meet all qualification needs by the closing date of this announcement.
- You must encounter status eligibility for this announcement (current DOJ competitive service employees or CTAP eligible).
- Frank Deposit: All federal employees must have federal pay payments created by straight deposit.
- The Criminal Division participates in E-Verify.
- A one-year probationary period may be needed.
Benefits
A profession with the U.S. State provides a finish gains package.
- Access to a variety of benefits designed to create your federal path rewarding.
- Eligibility for advantages depends on the sort of role (full-time, part-time, or intermittent).
- Contact the hiring agency for more information on precise upsides offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you gather the role qualifications.
- If basically qualified, you’ll be invited to complete a structured meeting.
- The structured meeting will assess: Attention to Detail, User Solution, Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Reasoning, and Self Management.
- You’ll obtain an additional detail added to your closing score for your most latest completely successful or higher performance rating.
- An additional aspect will also be added for any one performance award received within the past three years that relates to the role.
- To get credit, you must give a copy of your performance rating and a copy of your performance award SF-50, if relevant.
Required Documents
Resume (no more than 2 pages; must include month/year kick off/close dates and full-time or part-time status with hours per week).
- Include letter (optional).
- SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if putting in as a status applicant with existing or former federal offering) showing type of solution appointment, tenure cluster, grade, and pay. If registering for a higher grade, supply SF-50 showing length of time in present/highest grade.
- Most Recent Performance Appraisal (if applicable).
- Any Applicable Performance Award (must attach SF-50, if suitable).
- Documentation of Eligibility for Distinct Hiring Authorities (if relevant), e.g., Peace Corps volunteer letter, military spouse hiring authority documentation.
- Existing or Former Political Appointees (if suitable): note on resume and attach an SF-50.
- Schedule A Documentation (if applicable): The Criminal Division welcomes submissions from persons with disabilities; eligible Schedule A you may also submit resumes straight to [email protected].
- CTAP Documentation (if applicable): copy of agency observe, most current performance appraisal, and most new SF-50.
How to Apply
Assess the assessment questionnaire preview before early your submission.
- Log in to your the authorized submission portal account (or generate one) and click Register Online for this announcement.
- Wrap up the assessment questionnaire and click 'Submit My Answers' at the finish.
- Attach your resume (no more than 2 pages) and all called for documents (SF-50, performance appraisal, etc.) from your the formal submission portal account.
- Ensure your submission package is finalize and handed in by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 07/23/2026.
Additional Information
This role is unseal to present Department of Justice employees with competitive status.
- Displaced Federal employees eligible under CTAP may also put in and must be rated well-qualified (score 85 or above) to receive picking priority.
- Additional selections may be made from this vacancy to load subsequent vacancies.
- The Criminal Division participates in the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
- If you’re unable to register online, contact [email protected] or (202) 514-0361 for assistance.
- You should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government and upholding the guideline of law.
- For questions about sensible accommodation, email [email protected].
About Company
The Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice is responsible for enforcing federal criminal laws and developing policies related to criminal justice. The Security Programs workforce within the Office of Administration manages personnel security, physical security, details security, and emergency management for the division. This role backs the division's mission by making sure that only trusted people have access to sensitive info and facilities. The Criminal Division gives a structured federal profession environment with clear advancement paths and complete gains.
Criminal Division employment opportunities
FAQs
What does a Personnel Security Specialist at the Criminal Division do day-to-day?
You’ll run and assess investigative checks, evaluate background investigation paperwork for completeness and derogatory data, form adjudicative decisions, collaborate with a group on security matters, and help with rolling out security policies and procedures.
Can I put in if i’m not a existing DOJ employee?
No, this role is only unseal to present Department of Justice employees with competitive status. Displaced Federal employees eligible under CTAP may also apply.
Is there an education requirement for this role?
No, there’s no education condition. Qualification is located solely on specialized experience and time-in-grade needs.
What is the selection process after I put in?
After the submission due date, your resume and documents will be reviewed. If basically qualified, you’ll be invited to a structured meeting assessing competencies like Attention to Detail and Oral Communication. Additional points may be added for performance ratings and awards.
Is telework on offer for this role?
Yes, narrow situational telework is open under agency policy. This isn’t a remote role; you’ll work in Washington, DC.
What documents must apply?
You must hand in a resume (no more than 2 pages), an SF-50 showing your existing federal offering, and if suitable, a performance appraisal, performance award SF-50, and any distinct hiring authority documentation.