Internal Revenue Service Logo
Position Title
Personnel Security Specialist DIRECT HIRE
Agency
Internal Revenue Service
Announcement Number
23-11766397P-HCD-0080-7T14 Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, January 6, 2023 to Friday, January 5, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. IRS CTAP Candidate - Are you a current displaced or surplus IRS employee and:
 
  • you are located either within or outside the local commuting area of this vacancy, AND
  • your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of this vacancy, AND
  • your position has the same or higher promotion potential of this vacancy, AND
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent?

If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of CTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES) AND a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal AND a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).

For more information, review Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP). (limit characters)
3. Treasury CTAP Candidate - Are you a current displaced or surplus Department of Treasury (non-IRS) employee and:
 
  • you are located within the same local commuting area of this vacancy, AND
  • your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of this vacancy, AND
  • your position has the same or higher promotion potential of this vacancy, AND
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent?

If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of CTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES) AND a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal AND a copy of your latest SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).

For more information, review Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP). (limit characters)
4. ICTAP Candidate - Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position and:
 
  • you are located within the same local commuting area of this vacancy, AND
  • your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of this vacancy, AND
  • your position has the same or higher promotion potential of this vacancy, AND
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent?
If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of ICTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice AND a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal, AND a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent personnel action form.
 
For more information, review Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP). (limit characters)
5. U.S. Citizen Candidate - Are you a U.S. citizen (either by birth or naturalization) or national of the United States? (limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
  • No matches found
2. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
3. Employees of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must demonstrate the highest level of ethics and integrity. Former employees will be subject to a screening of their prior performance and conduct with the Service, and all other applicants may be subject to reference checks of prior employment. Your responses to the following questions will be verified; Applicants providing false information may be made ineligible and will be subject to debarment for future employment opportunities with the IRS.

Please select the response that best describes your current or prior employment with the IRS. If you never worked for the Internal Revenue Service, you must select the last response "Not applicable." (limit characters)
4. Employees of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must demonstrate the highest level of ethics and integrity, and must be in compliance with all Federal Tax requirements. Applicants being considered for employment with the IRS will be subject to a tax check. You can "Get Your Tax Record" at http://www.irs.gov/ (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript) and check the status of your account, balance owed, payment history, make a payment, or review answers to tax questions. Applicants not in compliance will be determined unsuitable for employment with IRS. Your responses to the following questions will be verified; Applicants providing false information may be made ineligible and will be subject to debarment for future employment opportunities with the IRS.

Please select the response that best describes your compliance with all Federal Tax requirements. You will be subject to a tax check that will verify your response to this question. (limit characters)
5. The following question is regarding your Selective Service status. If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, and are at least 18 years of age, civil service employment law (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must be registered with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. If you are required to register but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for appointment by executive agencies of the Federal Government (5 CFR 300.704). Visit http://www.sss.gov/ for additional information. (limit characters)
6. If you are a current Federal employee, by what agency and organization are you employed? (limit characters)
7. If you selected "Other", please enter the agency and organization. (limit characters)
8. If you are a current Federal employee, what is your duty station? [City, State] (limit characters)
9. If you are a Federal employee, under what type of appointment are you currently serving? (limit characters)
10. If you are, or ever were a Federal civilian employee, please provide your current or last pay plan, series, and grade level or pay band. For example: GS-0303-05, IR-0343-02, WG-5400-04. (limit 250 characters)
11. If you are, or ever were a Federal civilian employee, indicate the pay plan and grade level or pay band of the highest graded position you have ever held. For example: GS-05, IR-02, WG-04. (limit characters)
12. Are you a current or former Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility? (limit characters)
13. Are you a retiree receiving a Federal annuity, either military or civilian?

Note: If you are an annuitant, your salary or annuity may be reduced upon employment. (limit characters)
14. Have you accepted a buyout from a Federal agency within the past 5 years? (limit characters)
15. Regarding the effectiveness of our recruitment strategies; how did you first hear about this job? (limit characters)
16. If you answered "Posting on a job board or search agent other than USAJOBS (Monster, CareerBuilder, Indeed, LinkUp, etc." please indicate the name of the job board or search agent other than USAJOBS you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Social Media posting (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, on-line job fairs, etc.)" please indicate the name of the Social Media platform you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Attended a recruitment event (Job/Career Fair, Open House, Meet & Greet, Meetup, etc.)" please indicate the name and state of the recruiting event.

If you answered "School/University announcement/career counselor" please indicate the name of the school/university of the announcement where you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Third party referral, such as diversity or community organization, or employment office (Federal, state or local)" please indicate the name of the third party referral and the state you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Newspaper (print/online)" please indicate the name of the newspaper and the state you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Radio" please indicate the name of the radio station and state you heard the advertisement.

If you answered "Transit/Bus Advertisement" please indicate the city and state you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Banner Advertisement - Major News Websites" please indicate the website.

If you answered "Banner Advertisement - Movie Theater Websites" please indicate the website.

If you answered "Classified Advertisement Website (Craigslist, Angie's List, etc.)" please indicate the name of the website, city and state.

If you answered "Other" please specify. (limit characters)
17. Were you referred by a current IRS employee to this job announcement? (limit characters)
18. Please provide the name of the current IRS employee that referred you to this announcement. If not applicable type N/A. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  To qualify for this position, you must meet the qualification requirements outlined below:

GS-07: To qualify for this position at this grade level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes researching and gathering information and analyzing a set of facts, reviewing and evaluating applications or background information such as arrest records, credit reports, or tax records, and knowledge of security-related policies and regulations. Experience composing documents, reports, and correspondence involving non-technical information. OR You may qualify based on education as follows:
one (1) full year of graduate level education (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) at an accredited college or university in a related field of study such as: national security studies, information technology, criminal justice, or management. OR Superior Academic Achievement may be met by having a Bachelor's degree, with one of the following: A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last 2 years of study, or a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all courses in the major field of study or those courses in the major completed in the last 2 years of study, or rank in the upper one third of the class in the college, university, or major subdivision, or membership in a national honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. OR You my qualify with an equivalent combination of qualifying graduate education and experience.

GS-09: To qualify for this position at this grade level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes experience that demonstrates knowledge of security program concepts, policies, and practices. Experience analyzing and evaluating factual information derived from investigations and applying regulations and policies affecting employment of individuals in an organization. Experience preparing oral and written summaries of investigative information. OR You may qualify based on education as follows:
A master's or equivalent graduate degree in a related field of study such as: national security studies, information technology, criminal justice, or management. OR Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a graduate degree in a related field of study such as: national security studies, information technology, criminal justice, or management. OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. OR You my qualify with an equivalent combination of graduate education and experience.

GS-11: To qualify for this position at this grade level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes experience that demonstrates broad knowledge of security program concepts, policies, and practices; ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, and guidelines for the protection of classified, non-classified, and security related information in accordance with appropriate regulations; knowledge of personnel security principles, techniques and procedures. Experience conducting background investigations and personnel security clearance designation reviews and recommending actions based on established methods and procedures. Experience preparing oral and written summaries of investigative information. OR You may qualify based on education as follows: A Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field of study such as: national security studies, information technology, criminal justice, or management fields. OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a graduate degree in a related field of study such as: national security studies, information technology, criminal justice, or management. OR LL.M., if related. OR You my qualify with an equivalent combination of education and experience.

GS-12: To qualify for this position at this grade level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes experience that demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of security principles, concepts, techniques, and methods sufficient to assist in managing a data security program for an organization and/or maintaining security applications for assigned systems. Experience initiating investigations of security incidents and/or investigating and resolving complex background investigation issues and providing technical assistance, advice, and consultation regarding security measures and effectiveness. Experience developing and maintaining policy and process documentation, and standard operating procedures (SOP) for personnel security programs and services; implementing procedures for granting and verifying sensitive position clearances and clearances for access to classified information and designating levels of position sensitivity and risk. Experience with oral and written communication techniques to effectively communicate with managers, employees, and other customers.

GS-13: To qualify for this position at this grade level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes experience that demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of a wide range of personnel security (PS) concepts, practices, standards, procedures, systems, and programs; experience with PS case processing and systems sufficient to provide support for issues/problems that arise during the background investigation process. Experience utilizing analytical and evaluative techniques to conduct studies, identify and evaluate potential problems, and recommend resolutions to management; and project management principles and methods to develop plans and schedules, estimate resource requirements, define deliverables, monitor activities, and evaluate and report on accomplishments. Experience developing personnel suitability and security guidelines, policies and regulations, and assisting lower graded personnel in the proper processing of cases; oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization on extremely sensitive and confidential information; providing guidance and direction to customers and stakeholders; consulting/negotiating and meeting and dealing tactfully and persuasively with others to resolve issues which are often controversial and sensitive in nature.

GS-14: To qualify for this position at this grade level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes experience that demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge and skill in communicating and applying advanced personnel security (PS) concepts, laws, regulations, principles, and practices. Experience utilizing PS systems to provide expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to management and other technical specialists on critical issues in the areas of applications software and internet technologies. Advanced knowledge of PS organizational structure to ensure guidance is directed to the appropriate responsible function; in-depth knowledge of PS processes to provide expert technical advice on alternative processing methods and procedures. Experience developing personnel suitability and security guidelines, policies and regulations, and assisting lower graded personnel in the proper processing of cases. Experience with project management principles and methods, sufficient to develop plans and schedules, estimate resource requirements, define deliverables, monitor activities, and to evaluate and report on accomplishments. Oral and written communication skills to prepare reports/documents, to conduct/facilitate formal or informal meetings, to identify and resolve problems, and to formulate and articulate policies and viewpoints to executives, management, employees, and other persons both within and outside PS. (limit characters)
Thank you for your interest in applying for this position. Your responses to the following questions supplement the information provided in your resume. (limit characters)
1. Which of the following is true about your education and/or experience for the GS-7 level? (limit characters)
2. Which of the following is true about your education and/or experience for the GS-9 level? (limit characters)
3. Which of the following is true about your education and/or experience for the GS-11 level? (limit characters)
4. Which of the following is true about your specialized experience for the GS-12 level? (limit characters)
5. Which of the following is true about your specialized experience for the GS-13 level? (limit characters)
6. Which of the following is true about your specialized experience for the GS-14 level? (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
7. To qualify for this position and receive full credit for your relevant experience you must list the month/year and number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. Your resume must support your responses to the questions. Do you understand that failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified determination? (limit characters)
8. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
Failure to agree or respond to the statement below will disqualify you from further consideration for the position. Select the most appropriate response below. (limit characters)
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