Clearance Coordinator; DC)

Overview

The Clearance Coordinator will support 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.

The Clearance Coordinator will receive direct government oversight, assignments, and directions from the assigned Government Office/ Program Director, through an assigned team leader.

• Analyze and apply applicable federal policies and laws, such as the Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD) 7 and 5 CFR 731 and use available databases and resources to identify candidates who may be eligible for reciprocity.
• Conducts quality assurance and assessment of requests for investigation and adjudication in accordance with standardized office and bureau procedures, FAM requirements, and other policies, as applicable.
• Combines security and adjudicative policy with varying suitability or position-specific requirements to determine if a full background investigation is required or if reciprocity or another abbreviated transfer of eligibility may apply.
• Serves as a technical authority on the interpretation and implementation of personnel security guidelines, policies and regulations, and the organizations which administer them.
• Utilizes various federal databases and resources to research candidates’ investigative history. Prepares reports and maintains records of research to support the subsequent investigative and adjudicative process.
• Provides exemplary customer service support to candidates for access and eligibility determinations with the U.S. Department of State. Serves as the direct point of contact for assigned clients and regularly communicates via phone and email. The Clearance Coordinator will answer questions, resolve emerging problems, and collect required paperwork in a timely manner to support the investigative and adjudicative process.
• Address client complaints or concerns as they arise and adhere to Department policy and procedure while creating an amicable solution that satisfies both the customer and the Department of State.
• Builds rapport with clients to improve the customer experience and positively represent the Office of Personnel Security, the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, and the U.S. Department of State.
• Reviews requests from internal Department sources, such as human resources personnel, Diplomatic Security personnel (Regional Security Officers, DS Special Agents, DS/SI/PSS staff), hiring managers, and other Department of State personnel, then triages and redirects inquiries using a foundational knowledge of personnel security.
• Maintains a knowledge of biometric data policy and advise candidates on how and where to fulfill fingerprinting prerequisites to support background investigations and Trusted Workforce 2.0 requirements.
• Supports other government agencies who have agreements with DS/SI/PSS for their on boarding and personnel security review process, such as Millennium Challenge Corporation, U.S. Trade and Development Agency, contract companies party to a contract with the U.S. Department of State. Liaise with agency personnel as required and provide priority processing and customer service for candidates.
• Manages an assigned caseload to direct the timely initiation of investigations. Evaluates submitted paperwork for accuracy in compliance with prescribed Federal Investigative Standards and criteria, ensuring sufficiency of coverage of often complex and controversial investigative information. Drafts follow-up questions for cases where insufficient information was provided.
• Works independently on assigned caseload and applies organizational and time management skills including proactive planning and systematic scheduling. Responsible for creating and adhering to a personal schedule of daily phone calls, candidate email inquiries, case processing, and other required tasks, as assigned.
• Conducts and analyzes results of a variety of National Agency Checks…