Personnel Security Specialist

About the role

The Division of Administration (DA) directs the innovative internal management of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's business, human resources, financial, technological, security, and strategic operational resources.

The Division's role is to effectively and efficiently ensure the fulfillment of the Commission's mission through continued success in continuity of operations. This position is located within the Security and Emergency Management Section, Business Operations Branch, in DA.

What you will do

• Serves as an administrator and Enrollment Official for the agency's Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12) Personal Identity Verification (PIV) credential program.
• Performs identity proofing, enrollment, activation, issuance, renewal, replacement, suspension, and revocation of agency PIV credentials in accordance with HSPD-12 requirements, Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 201, and agency procedures.
• Utilizes the General Services Administration (GSA) USAccess credential management system to support sponsorship, enrollment, identity verification, card issuance, status monitoring, credential lifecycle management, and other PIV-related activities.
• Reviews and validates applicant and employee information entered into USAccess and associated personnel security systems to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with federal credentialing standards.
• Provides guidance and assistance to employees, contractors, interns, and supervisors concerning credentialing requirements, enrollment procedures, card activation, PIN resets, certificate updates, credential renewal requirements, and replacement procedures.
• Operates electronic fingerprint capture equipment, associated software, and biometric enrollment technology in accordance with federal standards and agency procedures. •Schedules and conducts fingerprint collection appointments and ensures the proper handling and protection of personally identifiable information (PII).
• Prepares reports, correspondence, security documentation, and briefing materials related to personnel security operations.

Requirements

• Customer Service-Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers.
• Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement.
• Oral Communication-Makes clear and convincing oral presentations.
• Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
• Teamwork-Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
• Personnel Security-Knowledge of methods and controls of personnel, and security operations; investigation and inspection techniques; or rules, regulations.

Education

For GS09: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher- level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your Educational claims.

To receive credit for Education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the Education requirements for this position. If you are selected for a vacancy that requires a specific degree and/or coursework you will be required to provide official transcripts prior to appointment.

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages.

The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for the GS09 grade. Please refer to the OPM General Schedule Qualification Standards for the specific Education/Experience requirements for this position.

To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

You must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

For a list of schools that meet this criterion, see ***

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

For further information, visit: ***

How you will be evaluated

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire.

If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

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.

This recruitment will utilize the following assessment tools: Structured Evaluative Review Your application will be evaluated through an SME Evaluative Review. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will independently review your resume to assess how well your experience demonstrates the required competencies for this position listed in the "Requirements" section of this announcement.

SMEs will assign scores based on the strength, relevance, and clarity of the information provided in your resume. These individual evaluations will then be combined to determine your final score or rating category.

Quality Category Definitions: • Best Qualified – Applicants who substantially exceed the minimum qualifications and demonstrate exceptional proficiency across the core competencies. • Well Qualified – Applicants who clearly exceed the minimum qualifications and demonstrate strong competency across most areas. • Qualified – Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Documents you must provide

• Resume showing all relevant and related experience (two pages max).
• If selected, your resume will be used to determine your initial pay setting decision; Cover letter (optional); Most recent performance appraisal (optional); SF-50 showing you meet time in grade requirements, if applicable; Transcripts (unofficial final copy with date degree was awarded; unofficial copy is accepted for application package, but an official copy is required prior to firm offer letter being extended; Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
• If you want consideration under a Veteran's hiring authority (VEOA, 30%+ disabled, etc.), submit your supporting documents: DD‐214 (Member 4 preferred or any copy showing dates and character of service), VA letter, SF‐15, and any other required proof.
• Active-duty members must provide an official statement of service from their command.
• Other Special Hiring Authorities: If you are claiming eligibility under a Special Hiring Authority, you must submit supporting documents to receive consideration.
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): The ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.
• If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.
• To be well qualified, you must score 85 or better on established ranking criteria.
• You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority.
• Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: *** Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP).
• Provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the CFTC with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.
• If CFTC has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.
• To be well qualified, you must rate equivalent to the Well Qualified or better category using established rating criteria.
• You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application.
• Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: ***
• ICTAP/CTAP Candidates MUST submit: 1.
• A copy of their agency reduction-in-force notice; 2.
• A copy of your most recent Performance Rating; 3.
• A copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current or last position held, the grade level, and the duty location; and 4.
• A copy of your notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area or documentation showing you were separated as a result of RIF or declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area.
• These links provide information on eligibilities for various hiring authorities: 1.
• 30% or more disabled veteran 3.
• Individuals with disabilities 4.
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA 9.

What to expect next

For information on what each Application Status means, visit: *** Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement.

Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

Additional information

This position is not in the Bargaining Unit. Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Security Clearance: Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (T/S SCI) Probationary/Trial Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary or a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: Your performance and conduct; The needs and interests of the agency; Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary/trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Time-in-Grade: You must meet time-in-grade requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, if applicable.

More than the number of positions listed may be filled through this vacancy announcement. The overall salary range is provided for informational purposes as it represents the full range that is applicable to current employees in this occupation/grade.

A new hire's direct and overall experience are critical factors in determining a salary offer, therefore, it is important that your resume fully reflects all of your work experience.

Note that the upper end of each range is typically applicable only to candidates with significant years of work experience and qualifications Please review the CFTC Compensation Program website for additional information. The law prohibits public officials from appointing, promoting, or recommending their relatives.

The law prohibits requesting, making, transmitting, accepting, or considering political recommendations for employment or other personnel actions for non-political positions. This includes recommendations from Members of Congress, Congressional employees, elected state or local officials, and political party officials and any recommendation based on party affiliation.