Citizenship and Immigration Services Logo
Position Title
Personnel Security Specialist
Agency
Citizenship and Immigration Services
Announcement Number
12268733-PSD-ST-24 Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, January 9, 2024 to Thursday, January 18, 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.

Do you wish to be considered under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) because you are a current DHS employee who has received an official notice stating that your position is no longer needed, or that you will be separated by reduction in force (RIF) and meet all of the following criteria?

  • Occupy a position in the same local commuting area of the vacancy, and
  • Occupy a position at or above the grade of the announced position and with no greater promotion potential, and
  • Have a current performance rating of at least "fully successful" or equivalent

For more information about CTAP eligibility, visit The Employee's Guide to Career Transition.

Proof is required. You must submit the following documentation to support your claim:

  • My most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), or equivalent, as stated in the job announcement that shows position occupied (block #34 of your SF-50); tenure; grade and step; salary; and, full performance level.
  • If my position occupied is "2 - Excepted Service" (block #34 of your SF-50), I have also included the initial SF-50, or other official Notification of Personnel Action, for that appointment.
  • Documentation of my Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a proposed removal/separation notice.
  • My latest performance rating of record.
(limit characters)
3. Do you wish to be considered as a current Federal employee who meets one of the following criteria?
  •  In a permanent position that is in the competitive service (see block #34 on your SF-50 for your position type)
OR
  • With an excepted service agency but can be hired into the competitive service because you meet the criteria of an Interchange Agreement. Additional information about current Interchange Agreements can be found here

Proof is required. You must submit the following documentation to support your claim:

  • Your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), or equivalent, as stated in the job announcement. It is recommended that you submit your most recent SF-50 that shows your position occupied (block #34 of your SF-50); tenure; grade and step; salary; and, full performance level.
  • If your position occupied is "2 - Excepted Service" (block #34 of your SF-50), it is recommended that you also include the initial SF-50, or other official Notification of Personnel Action, for that appointment.
(limit characters)
4. Do you wish to be considered as a current Federal employee who meets one of the following criteria?

I have held, or currently hold either: 
  •  A permanent position in the competitive service (see block #34 of your SF-50) with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised
OR
  • An appointment with an excepted service agency but can be hired into the competitive service because I meet the criteria of an Interchange Agreement, with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised. Additional information about current Interchange Agreements can be found here. 
Note: If your position referenced above is not on the GS pay scale, your pay must be at or above the representative rate (step 04) of the full performance level of this position. 

Proof is required. You must submit the following documentation to support your claim:
  • Your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), or equivalent, as stated in the job announcement. It is recommended that you submit your most recent SF-50 that shows your position occupied (block #34 of your SF-50); tenure; grade and step; salary; and, full performance level.
  • If your position occupied is "2 - Excepted Service" (block 34 of your SF-50), it is recommended that you also include the initial SF-50, or other official Notification of Personnel Action, for that appointment.
(limit characters)
5. Do you wish to be considered as a former Federal employee who previously held a permanent position that was in the competitive service (see block #34 of your SF-50) with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?

Note: If your position referenced above is not on the GS pay scale, your pay must be at or above the representative rate (step 04) of the full performance level of this position. 

Proof is required. You must submit the following documentation to support your claim:
  • Your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), or equivalent, as stated in the job announcement. It is recommended that you submit your most recent SF-50 that shows your position occupied (block #34 of your SF-50); tenure; grade and step; salary; and, full performance level.
  • If your position occupied is "2 - Excepted Service" (block 34 of your SF-50), it is recommended that you also include the initial SF-50, or other official Notification of Personnel Action, for that appointment.
(limit characters)
6. Do you wish to be considered as a former Federal Employee in the civilian service who previously held a position that was in the competitive service and is eligible to be reinstated? (See block #34 on your SF-50 for your position type) 

More information about the eligibility requirements for reinstatement can be found here

Proof is required. You must submit the following documentation to support your claim:
  • Your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), or equivalent, as stated in the job announcement. It is recommended that you submit your most recent SF-50 that shows your position occupied (block #34 of your SF-50); tenure; grade and step; salary; and, full performance level.
  • If your position occupied is "2 - Excepted Service" (block #34 of your SF-50), it is recommended that you also include the initial SF-50, or other official Notification of Personnel Action, for that appointment. It is also recommended that you submit the SF-50 showing your separation.
(limit characters)
7.

Do you wish to be considered under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) because you are a current or former Federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position and meet all of the following criteria?

  • Occupy a position in the same local commuting area of the vacancy, and
  • Occupy a position at or above the grade of the announced position and with no greater promotion potential, and
  • Have a current performance rating of at least "fully successful" or equivalent

For more information about ICTAP eligibility, visit The Employee's Guide to Career Transition.

Proof is required. You must submit the following documentation to support your claim:

  • My most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), or equivalent, as stated in the job announcement that shows position occupied (block #34 of your SF-50); tenure; grade and step; salary; and, full performance level.
  • If my position occupied is "2 - Excepted Service" (block #34 of your SF-50), I have also included the initial SF-50, or other official Notification of Personnel Action, for that appointment.
  • Documentation of my Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a proposed removal/separation notice.
  • My latest performance rating of record.
(limit characters)
8. Do you wish to be considered under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) because you meet one of the following criteria?
  • Are a preference-eligible veteran,
OR
  • Are a veteran separated from the armed forces after three (3) or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. 
Note: Veterans claiming eligibility on the basis of service in a campaign or expedition for which a medal was awarded must be in receipt of the campaign badge or medal.

Proof is required. You must submit the following documentation to support your claim:
  • DD-214 showing character of service, and
  • If applying based on your preference as a disabled veteran, you must submit your letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) showing the combined service-connected disability rating, or other acceptable documentation. 
See OPM's Vet Guide or SF-15 for more information.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. I acknowledge the following conditions if I choose to submit my resume through the USAJOBS Resume Builder:
  • I understand that resumes submitted through USAJOBS Resume Builder are converted to a PDF format when they are transmitted to USA Staffing from the USAJOBS applicant interface and additional spaces/page gaps are added to resumes during the Resume Builder conversion process;
  • Based on the above conditions, I understand that USCIS strongly encourages me to save my resume to a PDF document and upload the PDF document instead of submitting my resume created through Resume Builder;
  • I understand that USCIS' human resources will only review the first 5 pages of my resume to determine eligibility/qualifications for this position;
  • By answering YES to this question, I am indicating that I have met this requirement for consideration.

(Note: Additional guidance regarding this requirement is available within the How to Submit Your Resume section of the USCIS Resume Requirement FAQs.)
(limit characters)
2. There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This residency requirement states that candidates must have, for three of the last five years immediately prior to applying for this position(s); (1) resided in the United States; OR (2) worked for the United States Government as an employee overseas in a Federal or Military capacity; OR (3) been a dependent of a U.S. Federal or Military employee serving overseas. Do you meet one of these requirements? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
1. GS-13 - Which of the following statements best describes your experience? (limit characters)
2. You must provide the position title(s) and dates of employment referenced in your resume that demonstrates the experience related to your response. (limit characters)
3. This position has a time-in-grade (TIG) requirement to qualify at the GS-13. Have you completed 52 weeks in a position at or above the GS-12 grade level or equivalent? (limit characters)
The following section contains a multitude of question types. If you see a radio button, you can only select one response. If you see a checkbox, you may select all that apply. (limit characters)
4. Which statement best describes your highest level of experience making recommendations for entry on duty (EOD) determinations for applicants, employees, and/or contract personnel? (limit characters)
5. Which actions have you independently performed while reviewing security considerations for contracts? (limit characters)
6. Which statement best describes your highest level of experience briefing high-level officials on security related matters? (limit characters)
7. Which statement best describes your highest level of experience writing a statement of reasons for an adverse determination (e.g., disqualifying applicants)? (limit characters)
8. I testified at a formal hearing regarding justification of adverse decisions. (limit characters)
9. Which statement best describes your highest level of experience developing and formatting written information in clear and concise communication documents for decision makers? (limit characters)
10. Which personnel security programs have you administered? (limit characters)
11. Which security disciplines have you coordinated for an organization? (limit characters)
12. Which statements best describes your highest level of experience reviewing case file documents to determine their status? (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
13. Have you resolved data discrepancies by analyzing information in case files and databases? (limit characters)
14. Which statement best describes your highest level of experience determining suitability/fitness eligibilities? (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
15. Have you determined the Sensitive Compartmented Information eligibility of individuals in specifically designated positions? (limit characters)
16. I have determined eligibility levels for the security clearance of individuals in national security positions. (limit characters)
17. Which sources have you referenced to determine applicant/employee suitability? (limit characters)
18. Which statement best describes your highest level of experience making recommendations for entry on duty (EOD) determinations for applicants, employees, and/or contract personnel? (limit characters)
19. Which statement best describes your highest level of experience developing action plans to achieve goals? (limit characters)
20. Which actions have you completed to implement strategic initiatives (e.g. enterprise-wide hiring reform, improving operating processes, developmental programs)? (limit characters)
21. Select the activities you have performed to ensure the data integrity of electronic systems. (limit characters)
22. If you are a Federal employee, is your most recent performance rating equivalent to a "pass," "satisfactory," or better? (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
23. Your ratings in this Occupational Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents and references you submit. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your ratings. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency. It is your responsibility to provide the responses, information, and documentation regarding your work history for us to determine your eligibility and qualifications for this position. By agreeing to the statement below, you are confirming that you: 1) understand this warning, 2) have reviewed your responses to this questionnaire for accuracy, 3) verify that your responses accurately describe your current level of experience and capability, and 4) that you have provided all of the information and documentation needed for us to determine your eligibility and qualifications for this position. (limit characters)