Personnel Security Specialist

The primary purpose of this Personnel Security Specialist responsible for determining employment suitability (fitness) and security clearance eligibility; and supports the personnel security program and assists others in all aspects of the work necessary to complete background investigations.

This Personnel Security Specialist position is located in the Personnel Security Section (PSS), Chief Security Office (CSO), Security and Operations Management (SOM), Law Enforcement (LE), Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to: suitability factors and adjudicative guidelines and makes discretionary recommendations effecting final suitability and security clearance eligibility. Prepares clear, concise policies, regulations, notices and briefings for all levels of the Division. Writes letters of interrogatories, case summaries, eligibility notifications, and notices of adverse actions. Provides guidance and training to lower level staff; ensure compliance with established standards; manages individual caseload and various projects with minimal supervisory guidance; ensures metrics and timelines are satisfied across the unit; identifies training deficiencies. May represent TSA to communicate policies and procedures. Support the personnel security program, objectives and initiatives associated with all aspects of background investigations. Reviews security forms to identify the presence or absence of derogatory information, evaluates the impact of various kinds of derogatory information and makes decisions on the granting, denying, or revoking of security clearances, removals and unsuitability for employment; provides second-level review and concurrence of junior Personnel Security Specialists' recommendations Reviews requests for personnel or facility security clearances to assure that all required information is provided, evaluating appropriate sensitivity designation, requesting missing information from the originators, and granting clearances when derogatory information is absent or mitigated. Adjudicates complex background and reports of investigations; interprets and applies