Personnel Security Officer

Personnel Security Officer

Organization

Secretary of the Senate

Department

Senate Security

SALARY RANGE :

SEC-8 : $82676-$128147

FEDERAL RELAY SERVICE :

Speech / Hearing impaired persons may contact the Federal Relay Service at1-800-877-8339 TTY

TELEWORK :

This position is not telework eligible.

FLSA STATUS : Non-Exempt

DEADLINE FORAPPLICATIONS :

Open until filled

JOB DESCRIPTION : NATURE OF WORK

This is professional work administering the U.S. Senate’s personnel security program. Work is bound by Executive Branch policies and directives; Secretary of the Senate policies and procedures; the U.S. Senate Handbook; and the Senate Ethics Manual but requires independent judgment in setting priorities and handling assignments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Administer the Senate personnel security program for assigned Senate offices, with direction provided by the Personnel Security Manager; process Senate staff for security clearances and additional accesses; review sensitive information concerning applicant’s background; prepare correspondence regarding clearance processing; coordinate with all agencies in the personnel clearance process; and provide updates to office security managers.

Help to schedule and prepare informational and educational security briefings for Senate personnel exposed to classified material; conduct standard security de-briefings and security awareness briefings to ensure proper handling of classified material and staff awareness of obligations and reporting requirements as clearance holders; file and submit cleared staff required reporting forms to the appropriate external agencies.

Work with external agencies to transmit clearance verification for Senate staff visiting outside facilities for classified briefings; process security clearances and access for Executive Branch Fellows and Detailees assigned to the Senate.

Provide instructions and guidance to security managers regarding Senate processes for requesting access to classified information; provide guidance to Senate staff who are submitting applications for security clearances and accesses; process and transmit fingerprints for Senate staff to external agencies for national security background investigations.

Collaborate with internal and external agency partners to execute personnel program requirements and processes in accordance with relevant laws and guidelines.

Maintain current knowledge of the Office of Senate Security’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan; participate in periodic exercises and drills. Provide support to COOP programs as needed.

As part of the Secretary’s customer service initiative (known as R.A.T.E.), provide all customers with the highest level of customer service.

Perform other duties as assigned, to include assistance with front desk coverage, coordination of secure video teleconferences and secure calls, and classified document control as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in an office environment, and involves everyday risks or discomforts, requiring normal safety precautions when performing the work. Work requires frequent walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds, as well as regular use of typical office equipment, software programs, and methods of communication such as a computer, email, telephone, photocopier, and fax machine. Work may require flexible hours or changes in schedule, including late night hours. Regular, predictable and punctual attendance are required for performance of duties. Work also requires physical presence in the office, except as otherwise required by the Office of the Secretary of the Senate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Work requires a High School Diploma or G.E.D; college degree preferred. In addition, applicant should have 2 to 5 years of experience handling personnel security information the following knowledge, skills and abilities :

Demonstrated knowledge of security requirements and practices for safeguarding sensitive information.

Knowledge of the Senate as an institution.

Demonstrated knowledge of current events pertinent to personnel security.

Demonstrated ability to use computer and relevant computer software programs and electronic searches.

Ability to work with multiple databases simultaneously.

Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive and classified information.

Ability to use tact and diplomacy when dealing with others and provide good customer service.

Ability to work across functional, organizational and agency lines.

Ability to collect information from various sources and determine its relevance to the Senate environment.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to present relevant material to members of the Senate community as needed.

Ability to process, sort, file and destroy documents, forms and records.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

United States citizenship required.

Active Top Secret security clearance preferred.

Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance with SCI and RD access within 90 days of hire.

Veteran'sPreference :

Hiring for this position will be governed by the Veterans EmploymentOpportunity Act of 1998 (“VEOA”), as made applicable by the CongressionalAccountability Act of 1995. Pursuant to the VEOA, qualified applicants who arenot current employees of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate and who aredisabled or who have served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certainspecified time periods or in certain military designated campaigns (“veterans”)may be eligible to receive a preference over non-veterans in hiring decisions.Family members of veterans may also be eligible to receive a veterans’preference if the veteran cannot claim his or her veterans’ preference.

To be eligible for a veterans’ preference, applicants must meet all of therequirements set forth in the VEOA and applicable regulations. Thoseeligibility requirements are summarized in the Application for Veterans’Preference, which may be obtained by visiting :

If claiming a veterans’ preference, an applicant must indicate that he / she ispreference eligible on the application or resume and must submit a completedcopy of the Application for Veterans’ Preference along with the supportingdocumentation specified on that form. If the Office of the Secretary of theSenate does not receive the Application for Veterans’ Preference and supportingdocumentation by the closing date, the applicant’s claim for a veterans’preference may be denied.

Applicants may obtain a copy of the Office’s Veterans’ Preference inAppointments policy by submitting a written request to [email protected] .

Individuals who are entitled to a veterans’ preference are invited toself-identify voluntarily. This information is intended solely for use inconnection with the Office of the Secretary of the Senate’s obligations andefforts to provide veterans’ preference to preference-eligible applicants inaccordance with the VEOA. An applicant’s status as a disabled veteran and anyinformation regarding an applicant’s disability, including the applicant’smedical condition and history, will be kept confidential and will be collected,maintained and used in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of1990, as made applicable by section 102(a)(3) of the CAA, 2 U.S.C. §1302(a)(3).An applicant who declines to self-identify as a disabled veteran and / or toprovide information and documentation regarding his / her disabled veteran’sstatus will not be subjected to an adverse employment action, but theindividual may be ruled ineligible for a veterans’ preference.