Investigator

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Personnel Security Division (PSD). The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the authority on investigations as they relate to suitability determinations and the adjudication of personnel security clearances, plans and conducts investigations covering character, practices, suitability, or qualifications of persons seeking or maintaining Federal employment. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.

There are no individual occupational requirements for this position. To qualify you must meet the Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-13 grade level the applicant must possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal government, performing duties such as: Planning and conducting complex administrative investigations, adjudications, or suitability determinations for applicants, contractors, or federal employees in accordance with federal security standards and regulations; conducting detailed interviews with subjects, witnesses, and other sources to elicit, clarify, and accurately document highly sensitive personnel security or investigative information; analyzing conflicting or incomplete information, following up on complex investigative leads, and querying database systems to verify the validity of background data and assess individual suitability or trustworthiness; and preparing comprehensive, legally defensible investigative reports and summaries that clearly document all findings, evidence, and investigative activities for decision-makers. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience will not be used for this grade level. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement. Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job. DO NOT submit cash award SF50s they will not be used to verify time in grade). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE. 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.