- Position Title
- Personnel Security Specialist
- Agency
- Customs and Border Protection
- Announcement Number
- OPR-SMP-10964898-RJS Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, November 30, 2020 to Friday, December 4, 2020
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
To verify your eligibility, you must submit:
- have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR
- are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit:
- Copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (Member Copy 4 indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service; AND
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Disability award letter dated 1991 or later, or supporting documentation as listed in the SF-15.
- For information on how to request your veterans documentation please contact the Veterans Affairs Benefits and Services at 1-800-827-1000 or online via https://iris.custhelp.va.gov/app/ask/
2.
(1) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who is currently on Active Duty?
-OR-
(2) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating at the time of retirement of 100 percent or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?
-OR-
(3) Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?
To verify your eligibility for option 1 identified above, you must submit official supporting documentation (i.e. copy of the Active Duty orders or statement of service)
To verify your eligibility for options 2 and 3 identified above, you must submit the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15 and all supporting documentation identified on that document (e.g., Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (Member 4 copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service; death certificate and documentation identifying marital status at the time of death; disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc.). For information on how to request veterans documentation please contact the Veterans Affairs Benefits and Services at 1-800-827-1000 or online via https://iris.custhelp.va.gov/app/ask/
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans Resources.
-OR-
(2) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating at the time of retirement of 100 percent or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?
-OR-
(3) Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?
To verify your eligibility for option 1 identified above, you must submit official supporting documentation (i.e. copy of the Active Duty orders or statement of service)
To verify your eligibility for options 2 and 3 identified above, you must submit the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15 and all supporting documentation identified on that document (e.g., Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (Member 4 copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service; death certificate and documentation identifying marital status at the time of death; disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc.). For information on how to request veterans documentation please contact the Veterans Affairs Benefits and Services at 1-800-827-1000 or online via https://iris.custhelp.va.gov/app/ask/
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans Resources.
3.
Are you a current federal employee who has received notice that you will be displaced from the Department of Homeland Security? If yes, confirm:
- you occupy a position in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND
- you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
- you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
- Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice, AND
- Copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
4.
Are you a current or former Federal civilian employee that meets one of the following criteria:
To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting:
- Is currently employed with the Federal government in a permanent competitive service position; OR
- Was previously employed with the Federal government with career status in a competitive service appointment; OR
- Was previously employed with the Federal government with career-conditional status in a competitive service appointment, and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are Veterans' Preference eligible?
To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting:
- Tenure: Career or career-conditional (1 or 2)
- Position Occupied: Competitive service (1)
5.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency? If yes, confirm:
- you occupy (or have been separated from) a position located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy;
- you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent
- Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice, AND
- Copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
6.
Are you eligible for non-competitive consideration under Miscellaneous Authorities?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit:
- Postal Career Service Employees
- Postal Rate Commission Employees
- Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employees
- Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employees
- Peace Corps Volunteer or Vista Member: Were you a Peace Corps Volunteer or Vista Member who has completed your service within the past twelve months, or are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position? or are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years? -To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.
- Certain Former Overseas Employee: Were you employed overseas as an Appropriated Fund employee AND did you:complete 52 weeks of creditable overseas service in an appropriated fund position(s) as a family member during the time you accompanied a sponsor officially assigned to an overseas area; AND receive a fully successful or better (or equivalent) performance rating; AND return to the United States to resume residence less than 3 years ago?-To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50, and performance appraisal. For more information, review USAJOBS Former Overseas Employees resources.
- Certain Present and Former Foreign Service Officers: Have you completed at least 1 year of continuous service immediately before separation from one or more nontemporary Foreign Service appointments; AND, your separation from a Foreign Service career-type appointment occurred in the last 3 years (individuals entitled to veterans' preference do not need to meet this 3-year requirement)? OR Have you completed at least 3 years of substantially continuous service under one or more nontemporary appointments in the Foreign Service immediately before separation from an unlimited, career-type appointment in that Service? -To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 reflecting your nontemporary status. If you are outside of the 3-year requirement but are entitled to veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.
- Other Miscellaneous Authorities not included above
To verify your eligibility, you must submit:
- The specific authority for which you are claiming; AND
- Documentation supporting your eligibility for your claim, such as a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 reflecting your status. AND
- Any specific documentation noted above in the hiring authority
7.
Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities Resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your eligibility for a Schedule A appointment.
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities Resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your eligibility for a Schedule A appointment.
8.
The following question applies to current or former Federal employees. If you are not a current or former federal employee, select No. Applicants who claim only the Promotion Potential eligibility will not receive further consideration.
Do you hold or have you previously held a permanent position in the Federal competitive service (or in another merit system with which OPM has an interchange agreement) with a Full Performance Level (FPL) equivalent to or higher than the FPL of the position being announced?
Applicants who competed for and currently hold or have previously held a permanent position with the same FPL or higher as the position being announced, may be referred for selection without competition under our agency promotion procedures. Details and temporary promotions are not considered permanent positions.
To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form that reflects:
Do you hold or have you previously held a permanent position in the Federal competitive service (or in another merit system with which OPM has an interchange agreement) with a Full Performance Level (FPL) equivalent to or higher than the FPL of the position being announced?
Applicants who competed for and currently hold or have previously held a permanent position with the same FPL or higher as the position being announced, may be referred for selection without competition under our agency promotion procedures. Details and temporary promotions are not considered permanent positions.
To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form that reflects:
- career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
- status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1); or if with another merit system which OPM has an interchange (Position Occupied field is 2); AND
- Full Performance Level equivalent to or higher than the grade level being announced.
9.
Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service. For information on how to request your veterans documentation please contact the Veterans Affairs Benefits and Services at1-800-827-1000
- served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (NOTE: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
- are entitled to veterans' preference?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service. For information on how to request your veterans documentation please contact the Veterans Affairs Benefits and Services at
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
2.
Are you a current political Schedule A or Schedule C Executive Branch employee or a former political Schedule A or Schedule C Executive Branch employee who held the position within the last five years applying to a competitive or non-political excepted service position under Title 5 of the United States Code or are you a current non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) Executive Branch employee or a former non-career SES Executive Branch employee who held the position within the last five years applying to a competitive or non-political excepted service position under Title 5 of the United States Code?
To verify, please submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) or other relevant documentation reflecting your status as a Political Appointee.
To verify, please submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) or other relevant documentation reflecting your status as a Political Appointee.
3.
There is a time-in-grade (TIG) requirement for promotion into this position for any individual who holds or within the previous 52 weeks held a General Schedule (GS) position under nontemporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch. Have you completed 52 weeks in a position at or above the GS-11 grade level?
If you are a current federal employee or former federal employee within the past 52 weeks, submit one or more SF-50s that support your selected response below showing you meet or are exempt from time-in-grade requirements.
If you are a current federal employee or former federal employee within the past 52 weeks, submit one or more SF-50s that support your selected response below showing you meet or are exempt from time-in-grade requirements.
4.
There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years, before completing an application for CBP employment.
If you do not meet the residency requirement as stated above and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency wavier by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
Exceptions may be granted to applicants if they can provide complete state-side coverage information required to make a suitability determination. Examples of state-side coverage information include: the state-side address of the company headquarters where the applicant's personnel file is located, the state-side address of the Professor in charge of the applicant's "Study Abroad" program, and/or the state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with the applicant while overseas. If selected for a position, you must provide documentation to support a request for an exception.
Do you meet the residency requirement?
If you do not meet the residency requirement as stated above and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency wavier by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
- Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
- A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
- Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
- Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government
Exceptions may be granted to applicants if they can provide complete state-side coverage information required to make a suitability determination. Examples of state-side coverage information include: the state-side address of the company headquarters where the applicant's personnel file is located, the state-side address of the Professor in charge of the applicant's "Study Abroad" program, and/or the state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with the applicant while overseas. If selected for a position, you must provide documentation to support a request for an exception.
Do you meet the residency requirement?
5.
Are you receiving a retirement annuity from OPM based on retiring from the Federal government? If you select yes and you are selected for this position, your salary will be off-set by the amount of your retirement annuity.
To verify, please submit a copy of your retirement SF-50 with your application package.
To verify, please submit a copy of your retirement SF-50 with your application package.
6.
I have read and understand the following statement: You will be considered for the highest grade level for which you qualify for. Eligibility will be verified based on your resume and transcripts. You must have gained the work experience by the closing date of this announcement. Full-time work experience is 35 or more hours worked per week and must be clearly stated on your resume. Qualifications based on work experience will be determined by what is listed on your resume. Work experience refers to both paid and unpaid experience, such as volunteer work.
Your resume must include the following:
Your resume must include the following:
- Be in English
- Include full legal name
- Address
- Phone number
- Complete work history (which includes job titles)
- Detailed description of your duties (including tasks performed)
- The dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY - MM/DD/YY)
- Hours worked per week for any position you worked that was not full time (less than 35 hours per week)
For Federal employment experience, your resume must also include:
- Series
- Grade level(s)
- Salary
Do you agree to provide a resume that contains the necessary requirements listed in the instructions above?
7.
This vacancy has a local commuting area requirement, as defined below (This restriction does not apply to VEOA eligibles):
- The area surrounding the duty station by which people reasonably travel back and forth from home to work; Or
- The employee's permanent duty station is located within the reasonable travel area surrounding the duty station of this vacancy; Or if applicable
- For employees who are detailed or temporarily promoted (for less than 1 year) to another duty location, the permanent duty location is considered to be the duty location of record for commuting area purposes.
- For employees who are detailed or temporarily promoted (for more than 1 year) to another duty location, the detailed or temporary duty location is considered to be the duty location of record for commuting area purposes.
8.
There is a time-in-grade (TIG) requirement for promotion into this position for any individual who holds or within the previous 52 weeks held a General Schedule (GS) position under nontemporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch. Have you completed 52 weeks in a position at or above the GS-9 grade level?
If you are a current federal employee or former federal employee within the past 52 weeks, submit one or more SF-50s that support your selected response below showing you meet or are exempt from time-in-grade requirements.
If you are a current federal employee or former federal employee within the past 52 weeks, submit one or more SF-50s that support your selected response below showing you meet or are exempt from time-in-grade requirements.
Assessment 1
The following questions will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position. You may wish to consult the vacancy announcement for a description of those requirements.
1.
Which of the following best describes your experience and/or education to qualify for the GS-11 level?
2.
Which of the following best describes your experience to qualify for the GS-12 grade level?
The following knowledge, skill and ability (KSA) questions will be used to rate applicants who meet the minimum eligibility and qualification requirements. You will be rated based on your responses to the following questions that support each KSA listed.
KSA- Knowledge of personnel security federal regulations, agency policies, procedures and requirements to advise agency management on personnel security investigation cases.
3.
Indicate the extent to which you have applied your knowledge of personnel security requirements (Federal laws, regulations, Executive Orders, policies and/or procedures).
4.
Indicate the extent to which you have applied your knowledge of investigative requirements.
KSA- Ability to use various communication techniques to solicit specific information from candidates who may not be cooperative, and to prepare a detailed adjudicative evaluation of the relevant information.
5.
Indicate the extent to which you have demonstrated your ability to orally communicate information to others.
6.
Indicate the extent of your experience in prepare letters of interrogatory in derogatory cases to address issues of suitability/security concerns.
Skill in the use of investigative techniques in order to verify compliance and adequacy of the investigation through audit reviews.
7.
Indicate the extent of your experience in collecting additional information from applicants and employees when it is necessary to decide or recommend a suitability determination.
8.
Indicate the extent of your experience adjudicating the results of background investigations for applicants, appointees, employees, and contractors for security clearances or to occupy sensitive positions.
KSA: Skill in utilizing various personnel security related information technology systems (e.g., ISMS, PIPS, e-QIP, IABI) to conduct research and training.
9.
Indicate the extent of your experience in using automated systems to obtain and transmit fingerprint results, background investigation case initiation, reports and findings.
10.
Indicate the extent of your experience in using a variety of automated security systems such as Information Security Management System (ISMS); Electronic Questionnaire Investigation processing (EQip) and Office of personnel security systems.