To qualify for the Personnel Security Specialist position at the GS-9/11/12, you must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Minimum Qualifications GS-09 To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) by the closing date of this announcement. Specialized experience is demonstrated experience, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in resume. Specialized experience must include all of: Applying personnel vetting processes, suitability factors and adjudicative criteria used in security and suitability determinations; AND Initiating and reviewing background investigations using SF 85, 85P, 86, and Personnel Vetting Questionnaires as part of personnel security vetting processes; AND Conducting continuous vetting record checks to identify derogatory information which may impact an individual's eligibility. OR Completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or at least 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related to the requirements of the position. GS-11 To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) by the closing date of this announcement. Specialized experience must include all of: Applying personnel vetting processes, suitability factors and adjudicative criteria used in security and suitability determinations; AND Initiating and reviewing background investigations using SF 85, 85P, 86, and Personnel Vetting Questionnaires as part of personnel security vetting processes; AND Conducting continuous vetting record checks to identify derogatory information which may impact an individual's eligibility; AND Interpreting and applying personnel security regulations, federal investigative standards and adjudicative guidelines to resolve complex security concerns. OR Completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or at least 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related to the requirements of the position. GS-12 To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) by the closing date of this announcement. Specialized experience must include all of: Applying personnel vetting processes, suitability factors and adjudicative criteria used in security and suitability determinations; AND Initiating and reviewing background investigations using SF 85, 85P, 86, and Personnel Vetting Questionnaires as part of personnel security vetting processes; AND Conducting continuous vetting record checks to identify derogatory information which may impact an individual's eligibility; AND Interpreting and applying personnel security regulations, federal investigative standards and adjudicative guidelines to resolve complex security concerns; AND Handling sensitive information and communicating security findings and recommendations to management; AND Assisting team leads with providing on the job training and performing quality assurance audits. Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume. After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement (07/02/2026) to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.