Personnel Security Specialist

Summary
The position is located with the Navajo Area Indian Health Service (NAIHS) under the Navajo Region Human Resources, Division of Personnel Security, with a vacancy at Northern Navajo Medical Center, Shiprock, NM. The incumbent will support the Personnel Security function of their respective locations and will report to the Supervisory Personnel Security Specialist located in St. Michaels, AZ.
This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
• Federal employees - Competitive service
  Current or former competitive service federal employees.
• Federal employees - Excepted service
  Current excepted service federal employees.
• Individuals with disabilities
• Land & base management
  Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
• Native Americans
  Native Americans or Alaskan Natives with a tribal affiliation.
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
• Veterans

Clarification from the agency
The IHS is required by law to give absolute preference to qualified applicants who meet the Secretary of the Interior's definition of Indian for appointment to vacancies within the IHS in accordance with established IHS policy as outlined in the Indian Health Manual Part 7, Chapter 3. The IHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Duties

• Provides authoritative guidance, information, and assistance on Personnel Security policies and procedures.
• Responsible for all aspects of the pre-employment screening process in Navajo Area.
• Conducts research of Personnel Security information using OPM's Clearance Verification System to verify an individual selected has a prior background investigation and/or security clearance as well as checks the Office of Inspector General (OIG) exclusion list.
• Verifies the appropriate level of background investigation being requested and ensures the position sensitivity designation/record is included in the case file.
• Ensures that electronic fingerprints (SAC) are initiated and pre-employment clearance determination is made prior to entry on duty.
• Serves as electronic questionnaire initiator, reviewer, and approver ensuring that all new applicants/appointees complete electronic questionnaire processing prior to entry on duty.
• Educates Individuals on the pre-clearance process and what will be expected of them; assists with the completion of the necessary paperwork.
• Reviews and ensures that all submitted paperwork meet acceptability criteria and takas appropriate action to resolve discrepancies or incomplete information.
• Maintains a Personnel Security tracking system/database in accordance with department requirements.
• Reviews derogatory and/or conflicting information from Personnel Security application documents and SAC reports. Seeks additional information/documentation from the individual to clarify questionable or discrepant Information. Analyzes totality of information obtained and makes recommendations.
• Provides preliminary finding of unsuitability e.g. with non-compliance issues.

Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Selectee may be subject to a probationary/trial period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required.
Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities.
COVID-19 vaccination is required for all selectees prior to entrance on duty.
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
GS-09:

• Master's or equivalent graduate degree -OR-
• Two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or, LL.B. or J.D. -OR-
• One (1) year specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level. Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Experience coordinating background investigations assuring appropriate initiation, processing and adjudication. Providing technical advice and guidance to employees, contractors, affiliates, and volunteers regarding a background clearance form submission (e.g. electronic questionnaire) and reviewing forms for accuracy and completeness. Provide advice and guidance to customers on submitting required documents for background investigations.

GS-11:

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree -OR-
• Three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or, LL.M. -OR-
• One (1) year specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level. Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Assist in interpreting and developing policy and procedures in Personnel Security issuances and directives. Gathering and coordinating records of evidence in support of proposed Personnel Security and suitability actions and decisions. Submitting disposition requests to the appropriate court, law enforcement agency, or other source in order to obtain clarification or additional information regarding cases.

GS-12:

• One (1) year specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level. Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Experience providing recommendations regarding the hiring of applicants, retention of incumbents and termination of those determined unsuitable for Personnel Security eligibility. Make recommendations or make determinations to grant, deny, revoke, suspend or restrict Personnel Security clearances consistent with suitability issues. Experience using the Federal information Processing Standard (FIPS) 201, Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), etc. to ensure activity in issuing credentials are compliant with rules and regulations. Experience planning, coordinating, and providing guidance on Personnel Security regulations, directives and policies.

Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).
You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
Education
If you are substituting education you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.
Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation.
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
Per IHS policy (SGM 21-04) IHS selectees to positions located in Federally operated hospitals, health centers, and clinics must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before entry on duty or have IHS approve a medical or religious exemption. If an exemption is approved then wearing a face mask and regular testing for COVID-19 will be required. Your Human Resources Specialist will provide a list of documents acceptable as vaccination proof and instructions on how to submit your vaccination documentation or how to request a medical or religious exemption, if needed.
This position is eligible for workplace flexibilities which may include remote work or telework options, and/or flexible work scheduling. These flexibilities may be requested in accordance with the HHS Workplace Flexibilities policy. https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/asa/ohr/hr-library/990-1/index.html.
Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.
Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.
This position is NOT covered by a Bargaining Unit.
Government housing is NOT available.
Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. A 1 year service agreement will be required.
This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration. For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at: https://www.usphs.gov/.
The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines. This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process. Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds. For additional information please visit:
For IHS - http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/
For NHSC - https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/
For HRSA Nurse Corps - https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps
This position has promotion potential to the GS-12 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.

• Benefits
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.
To determine if you are qualified for this position, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against the qualifications as defined in the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement and your responses to the assessment questions.
You will be further evaluated/rated based on the information provided in your resume (your resume must state specific duties that relate to this p...