Supervisory Peronnel Security Specialist

Summary

This position is located in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Security and Emergency Management Division (SEMD). The incumbent is responsible for preparing, analyzing, formulating, developing, reviewing and implementing security policies, standards, processes and procedures in accordance with Executive Orders, federal law, regulations, policies, rules, and requirements. Directs and oversees the work of federal personnel security specialists and contractors.

Duties

• The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia. Presence at the Alexandria, VA campus is required for this role, as it includes on site functions that must be performed in person. Position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy/business unit discretion. The agency currently allows for 52 hours of telework per leave year. This is the job for you if: You're excited to perform the duties and responsibilities as the Personnel Security Branch Chief for the USPTO. You'll thrive executing a variety of business and administrative responsibilities related to managing the personnel security program at USPTO, negotiating and preparing interagency agreements (IAA) with Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, and other agencies as required. You're excited to function as the USPTO program manager and senior technical authority on all matters pertaining to personnel security, security clearances, and Agency special access programs (i.e., Sensitive Compartmented Information, Department of Energy "Q," North Atlantic Treaty Organization clearances, and clearances granted by the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office). You excel in adjudicating national security clearances for high level mission critical employees and also adjudicating contractor cases for suitability, adjudicating sensitive suitability cases that contain national security information and that may require coordination with federal intelligence and law enforcement entities. You're energized by managing and ensuring the granting of all country clearances and national security clearances for USPTO employees traveling and/or visiting other federal agencies and overseas USA posts. You enjoy advising the Chief Administrative Officer, Deputy Under Secretary, and Under Secretary as required on matters related to personnel security and special access programs.

Qualifications

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. OPM Qualifications Standards are available at Security Administration Series 0080 Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped applicants with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 in the Federal service: For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS- 13. Specialized experience for this position includes: Experience managing the operational activities and programs related to an Agency's national security, special access programs, and personnel security; Experience implementing procedures to safeguard sensitive information; conducting security and suitability adjudications related to background investigations; and Experience managing the duties associated with Office of Personnel Management's Investigative Services (OPMIS), secure web portal programs (i.e. National Background Information Services (NBIS), Central Verification System (CVS) and the Personnel Investigations Processing System (PIPS)). 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, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Education may not be substituted for specialized experience at this grade level.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 2 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/howto/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.