Clearance Coordinator

Overview

The Investigative Case Specialist will conduct and/or initiate initial pre-employment background investigations conducted for the purpose of determining suitability and security clearance eligibility, inclusive of Presidential Appointees and Foreign/Civil Service and Wage Grade applicants, contractors, and periodic updates and “for cause” reinvestigation of employees and/or post-employment special access program eligibility.

 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Directs the timely conduct of investigations and evaluates national record results and reports of investigations for compliance with prescribed Federal Investigative Standards and criteria. Work assigned includes some of the most sensitive case types.
• Enable the recommendation of interim and/or final security clearance and public trust certification determinations in accordance with established investigative and adjudicate standards. The specialist recommends certification of sufficiency of investigative coverage before referring cases for review.
• Responsible for processing timely routine updates, for cause, and special postemployment personnel security investigations.
• Analyzes cases to determine the scope of the investigation required, potential issues requiring investigative clarification.
• Prepares instructional remarks and/or clarifies investigative standards, criteria and procedural guidelines for applicants, employees, and other personnel involved in the background investigation process, such as investigation requesting officials, contract investigators, Special Agents in Charge of the DS Field Offices, and the Regional Security Officers at oversees posts that are responsible for the actual conduct of the investigation at the specific location.
• Recommends further investigation when warranted to resolve conflicting information or unanswered questions raised before certifying complete coverage. Guidance may also be utilized by other Personnel Security Specialists directing or conducting investigations.
• Ensures that the investigative security package includes caveats regarding any classified material, material from sources who request confidentiality, and material that includes reports/information from other agencies that are restricted from being released without permission from the originator.
• Assists in developing criteria for identifying and analyzing trends in investigative problem areas; and methodologies for ensuring investigative sufficiency.
• May assist in developing information required by the supervisor for program planning, and in developing policies, procedures, and criteria for implementation of national directives and Departmental requirements in the Departments’ Personnel Security Program.
• Assists in the conduct of training classes and seminars for investigative personnel locatedboth domestically and overseas.
• Assists in the professional development of lower-level specialists and assistants.
• Maintains authoritative knowledge of all aspects of the assigned systems and applications.
• Maintains all required documentation. 

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS: 

• Must be a US citizen with a valid US passport and possess or maintain a minimum a SECRET clearance, with the ability to qualify for a TOP SECRET as program designates.
• Must have High School Diploma and at least and at least 5 – 7 years of professional job-related experience, preference in conducting or directing background investigations.
• Knowledge of security requirements established in legislation, regulations and various policy statements pertaining to Personnel Security. These may include E.O. 12968, E.O. 13467, ICD 704, Personnel Security Standards and Procedures Governing Eligibility forAccess to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Other Controlled Access Program Information, the 2012 Federal Investigative Standards, and Security Executive Agent Directive(s) (SEAD) 1 through 8.
• Knowledge of factors which might affect the suitability of applicants for employment with the Federal Government, and the Department of State, ass codified in 5 CFR 731, 732, 736 and 3 FAM 622.
• Knowledge of security regulations and policies affecting employment of individuals in the Department of State.
• Specialist must be able to apply guidance to each case; this requires analyzing the individuals’ unique background against suitability requirements while also considering unique characteristics of the position being applied for. This process requires judgment and discretion in order to evaluate nation security implications while also precluding any injustice in determinations.
• Specialist utilizes knowledge of the organization and operation of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and the Department of State and of the mission, goal