GovCentral

OPM Security Clearance Reforms Ahead of Schedule

Alex M. Parker | Government Executive — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:17:00 -0700

Despite concerns from the Government Accountability Office and frustration from lawmakers, the head of the Office of Personnel Management on Tuesday said the government is on track to reduce the average length of time required to process security clearance applications by the end of the year.

OPM Director John Berry told lawmakers on a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee he was optimistic government will meet a 2004 Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act mandate to reduce the average processing time for security clearance applications to 60 days by the end of 2009 for 90 percent of all cases.

"I am very proud to come before you and report, we are ahead of schedule," said Berry, during a hearing of the subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia.

Berry said OPM has eliminated a backlog in cases referred from other agencies for background investigations, and cut the time required for investigations significantly since 2007. That year, initial investigations took an average of 115 days in 90 percent of cases; by the second quarter of 2009 the average time was 42 days.

A more centralized computer database of cases, methods of automatically deciding cases without red flags and other reforms helped streamline the process, according to Berry.

Jeffrey Zients, deputy director for management at the Office of Management and Budget, said a new Standard Form 86, used to investigate applicants in national security positions, would be available for public comment by the end of September. The form has taken longer than anticipated to roll out because the Obama administration was concerned it oversimplified necessary levels of security, he said.

Berry and Zients said continued emphasis on transparency and consistency would increase reciprocity of clearances, so agencies could rely on and trust investigations completed for other agencies.

A GAO witnesses noted that despite these improvements, the Defense Department's security clearance process remains a high risk to the government. While the Pentagon has made progress on speed, more attention must be paid to the quality of investigations, said Brenda Farrell, director of defense capabilities and management at GAO. "Timeliness alone does not provide a complete picture of the security clearance process," she said.

Citing past GAO reports and a newly released update, Farrell chided OPM and other agencies for failing to report information about all security clearance applications -- as opposed to the fastest 90 percent -- and said government could benefit from a better roadmap for reform. She also noted a previous report that found many investigations had been closed despite incomplete information about the applicants.

Berry vowed that by the end of 2010 the issue would be removed from GAO's list of federal initiatives and programs at high risk of management problems. "We're not at the goal line yet, but we're within 10 yards," he said.

Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio -- who plans to retire in 2011 and said he wants to see the issue resolved before he leaves -- expressed frustration at the beginning of the hearing that it was taking so long to improve the clearance process.

"I see little evidence of progress thus far, in furtherance of these security clearance reform mandates," Voinovich said. "This is serious business."

Obtaining a Government Security Clearance and the Background Check

Derrick Dortch | The Washington Post — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:34:00 -0700

Finally, after months of searching and interviewing for government and government contractor jobs, you get the good news -- you won the position -- with a condition attached.

The condition: The job is yours following the successful completion of a background check that will determine your suitability for a U.S. government Top Secret, Secret or Confidential security clearance.

This is called a "conditional offer," meaning that there is no guarantee that the job is yours until your background investigation is complete and you are cleared. Given the importance of this process to your career, there are a few facts you should know about it and how it works.

What it All Means

Background checks, conducted in the interest of national security, are required to determine if a person is reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and of complete and unswerving loyalty to the United States. Not all government and government-related jobs require such checks, as it depends on whether or not the position requires a security clearance to access classified information.

The type of clearance required, meanwhile, depends on the information used to perform each job's duties. There are three primary types of clearances, determined by the agency that handles the information (or the president and vice president) and generally described as follows:

● Confidential clearances are for positions accessing information with the potential for damage to national security.

● Secret clearances are for positions accessing information with the potential for serious damage to national security.

● Top Secret security clearances are for positions accessing information with the potential for exceptionally grave damage to national security.

Individuals holding higher-level clearances are allowed to see lower-level information -- so, for example, someone with Top Secret clearance can also see information marked Secret and Confidential.

Two other types of specialized clearances are worth noting. Sensitive Compartmented Information clearances provide access to all classified information handled within a specific "compartment" -- essentially, a group working on specific matters, such as cryptography or nuclear weapons. Special Access Programs clearances, meanwhile, allow access to particularly sensitive information beyond the Top Secret level.

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The Investigation

Clearances are required by the government based on the specific needs of certain positions. This means you can't apply for them on your own: The government or its contractors are the only groups that can start the clearance process, and as such you (and the employer) don't foot any of the bill.

The check begins when an offer is extended. You'll be asked to fill out the National Security Questionnaire, which when submitted kicks off the process. (Experts insist that it is in your interest to be as honest and thorough in your answers as possible so that no inconsistencies are unearthed by investigators later. If they believe you're withholding information or, worse, lying, that could mean rejection.)

Two separate procedures follow: the background investigation and the adjudication process. (Neither is conducted by your hiring manager, who won't see any of the information or details involved -- only professionals who conduct clearances do.)

The background investigation, conducted by employees of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) or its contractors, involves:

● A National Agency Check, during which investigators review records held by federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigations and OPM.

● A Local Agency Check, which calls in criminal history records held by local law enforcement agencies such as police departments and sheriffs with jurisdiction over the areas where you have lived, gone to school or worked.

● Financial checks.

● Field interviews of individuals including co-workers, employers, friends, educators and neighbors. The candidate provides a list of contacts, though the investigator may (and often does) talk with others beyond the names submitted.

● Checks of records held by employers, courts and rental offices.

● A personal interview with you.

The Decision

After the background investigation, the investigators give every report to adjudicators, who begin their work -- "an examination of a sufficient period of a person's life to make an affirmative determination that the person is eligible for a security clearance," according to the Adjudication Desk Reference, a tool developed to assist security clearance adjudicators, investigators and security managers.

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Adjudicators are interested in information on the following topics:

● foreign influence

● foreign preference

● sexual behavior

● personal conduct

● financial considerations

● alcohol consumption

● drug involvement

● emotional, mental and personality disorders

● criminal conduct

● security violations

● outside activities

● potential for misuse of information technology systems

Based on the background investigation, adjudicators look for conditions that raise security concern and might be disqualifying -- as well as conditions that could mitigate the security concerns. When concerns are identified, adjudicators are asked to consider:

● the nature, extent, and seriousness of the conduct

● the circumstances surrounding the conduct, to include knowledgeable participation

● the frequency and recent occurrence of the conduct

● the individual's age and maturity at the time of the conduct

● the voluntary nature of participation

● the presence or absence of rehabilitation and behavioral changes

● the motivation for the conduct, and

● the potential for pressure, coercion, exploitation, or duress; and the likelihood of continuation or recurrence.

Based on their evaluation, a final determination is made. If an application is denied, notification is usually sent by letter, and failed applications can generally be appealed. Candidates can also reapply -- for the same position or a new one -- after a year, and are often subsequently cleared if they can demonstrate improvement in the area or areas that held them back. (Of course, depending on the reasons for denials this may not be possible.)

If an application passes, a temporary clearance is issued. This process usually takes no more than 45 days; the interim clearance, awarded if no major red flags, such as serious criminal or financial issues, are found, stands until full clearance is awarded. That process can take anywhere from three months to two years, depending on the clearance factor or such factors as whether you have lived abroad.

Once awarded, the clearance is yours for as long as you hold the position. If you leave, it moves to a semi-active status -- you can no longer view classified information, but if you are hired for a new position you don't have to go through another check -- for 24 months. Individuals with clearances, meanwhile, must submit to reinvestigations every five years.

Derrick Dortch is president of Redford, Mich.-based career development firm The Diversa Group, which has a regional office in Washington, D.C.

A Day In The Life Of: Transportation Security Inspectors (TSI)

TSA Evolution of Security Blog | Guest Blogger Jim — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:16:00 -0700

In an effort to explain the many different positions we have in the field, I've asked a Transportation Security Inspector (TSI) from Cincinnati to talk a little about his position.

Jim is from the Aviation side of Inspections, so keep in mind that TSA has a cadre of inspectors in the field. We’ll highlight their jobs in the future as well.

Now, the next time you see the folks in the fancy "TSA Inspector" jackets, you'll know what they do. ~ Bob

When most people think about TSA, the dedicated men and women performing the duties of the Transportation Security Officer (TSO) come to mind; and why not? It is by far the most visible public component of TSA and usually the first thing we see as we approach the checkpoint. Much like the many layers that make up TSA’s security “system of systems”, other components of TSA are tasked with duties not so visible to the traveling public, but are just as fundamental to securing our nation’s transport systems. Today I will discuss one of those components...TSA’s Transportation Security Inspectors, or TSIs.

As with most things governmental, regulations abound! Especially with respect to airline operations, airport operations and the wide variety of security programs that these entities adopt and implement. That’s where the TSI comes in. I’m an aviation inspector, so I’ll refrain from commentary on the cargo inspection program or the surface (rail and mass transit) inspection program. The duties and responsibilities of a TSI are quite varied due in no small part to an industry that can be complex, market driven, evolving and critical to our nation’s economy. Bear with me as I reach deep into my mind-numbing facts hat and reference the actual regulations that drive what TSIs actually inspect. Our beloved Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) has many titles and parts, but for the aviation TSI, it’s all about 49 CFR part 1500 and the relevant subchapters. Within that body of work, those who find themselves regulated by TSA will know what is expected of them as well as what can be expected from us. If you find yourself unable to sleep on a given night, look them up on the web at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ under the executive resources portion.

So, what does it all mean? TSIs in the field conduct comprehensive inspections, assessments and investigations of regulated entities to determine how well they comply with the regulations as well as identifying areas of weakness that need to be fixed. Exactly how is it done? Well, TSIs will use a variety of methods to determine compliance which may include surveillance, interview, document review and/or testing. But it doesn’t end there. Those findings are archived so we can get a snapshot of trouble areas that are common and adjust our security priorities to meet those needs.

In addition to our normal inspection workload, TSIs conduct investigations into alleged violations of security regulations at the screening checkpoint. Normally this would be the result of a person attempting to bring something prohibited through the screening checkpoint – things like guns, explosives and incendiaries. On occasion, and it doesn’t happen all too often, someone will cause a fracas at the checkpoint that rises to level of interference with the screening process. When that happens, the TSI will investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged violation and determine what enforcement action is appropriate. An enforcement action may be administrative in nature (warning notice), or result in a monetary fine (civil penalty). However, if the investigation demonstrates that no violation occurred, the matter will be closed with no action and a letter advising the person of that determination will be mailed out. I could go on and on regarding enforcement actions because those can be thorny and it doesn’t simply end with a fine because the TSI recommends it. There is a process and I will defer to our legal team regarding the steps that it entails.

Lastly, TSIs conduct outreach activity with our industry partners and local/Federal agencies in order to foster that open relationship and share information critical to our mutual success. There is more to a TSI’s job than what I have written about today, but my post is getting long so I’ll wrap it up. Perhaps I can post another time with some more riveting TSI tidings. Until then, travel safe and thanks for checking out our blog!

Guest Blogger

Jim

Top Ten Federal Contractors in 2009

GovCentral | Data Source: USASpending.gov — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:37:00 -0800

Many federal job seekers seriously consider applying for open positions at federal contractors. These companies usually benefit from faster hiring processes, higher pay, and more vacancies. On the downside, government contractors cannot offer the job security that comes with federal employment and the open positions aren’t as diverse. Most growth has come in the IT and Engineering career fields as contracts for sustainable energy and homeland security have accelerated during this administration. There is also a high demand for medical personnel, even in a down economy.

Below is a list of the ten most profitable federal government contractors with links to a list of open positions at each company.

h4. 1) Lockheed Martin Corporation

Headquarters: Bethesda, MD

Total Contracts Amount (2009, Q1): $1,379,547,256 (6.57% of total)

Top Agencies: Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Bureau of the Census, Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, Federal Aviation Administration.

Top Products or Services: Operation of Government-Owned Facilities - Government-Owned Contractor-Operated (GOCO) R&D Facilities, Space Flight , Services , Space Vehicle Components, Other ADP and Telecommunications Services (includes data storage on tapes, compact disks, etc.)

Top States: New Mexico, Colorado, Maryland, New York, Louisiana

"Search for jobs at Lockheed Martin":http://govcentral.monster.com/careers/careers_search/search?commit=SEARCH&job_posted_within=&job_status=&location=&page=1&q=Lockheed+Martin+&radius=50&salary_range_max=&salary_range_min=&zip_code

h4. 2) Los Alamos National Security LLC

Headquarters: Los Alamos, NM

Total Contracts Amount (2009, Q1): $704,530,159 (3.36% of total)

Top Agencies: Department of Energy

Top Products or Services: Operation of Government-Owned Facilities - Government-Owned Contractor-Operated (GOCO) Research & Development Facilities

Top States: California, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, and Colorado

"Search for jobs at Los Alamos National Security LLC":http://govcentral.monster.com/careers/careers_search/search?q=Los+Alamos+National+Security&location=&zip_code=&radius=50&job_status=&job_posted_within=&salary_range_min=&salary_range_max=&commit=SEARCH

h4.

If you want to work in these advanced and growing fields,
get an advanced degree

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1) Lockheed Martin Corporation

2) Los Alamos National Security LLC

h4. 3) United Space Alliance LLC

Headquarters: Houston, TX

Total Contracts Amount (2009, Q1): $578,809,376 (2.76% of total)

Top Agencies: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Top Products or Services: Engineering and Technical Services, Space Flight - Operational Systems Development (R&D)

Top States: Texas

"Search for jobs at United Space Alliance LLC":http://govcentral.monster.com/careers/careers_search/search?q=United+Space+Alliance&location=&zip_code=&radius=50&job_status=&job_posted_within=&salary_range_min=&salary_range_max=&commit=SEARCH

h4. 4) Government of The United States

Headquarters: District of Columbia and all over the US

Total Contracts Amount (2009, Q1): $573,840,530 (2.74% of total)

Top Agencies: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Energy, National Labor Relations Board, Bureau of Prisoners/Federal Prison System, Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Top Products and Services: Space Science and Applications -- Applied Research and Exploratory Development (R&D), Electric Services, Financial Services , Printing, Duplicating, and Bookbinding Equipment , Print/Binding Services

Top States: California, Tennessee, District of Columbia, Texas, Georgia

"Search for jobs with the Government of the United States":http://govcentral.monster.com/careers/careers_search/search?q=&location=&category[]=550&zip_code=&radius=50&job_status=&job_posted_within=&salary_range_min=&salary_range_max=&commit=SEARCH

h4.

If you want to work in these advanced and growing fields,
get an advanced degree

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1) Lockheed Martin Corporation

2) Los Alamos National Security LLC

3) United Space Alliance LLC

4) Government of The United States

h4. 5) Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC

Headquarters: Livermore, CA

Total Contracts Amount (2009, Q1): $552,235,814 (2.63% of total)

Top Agencies: Department of Energy

Top Products and Services: Other Research and Development -- Basic Research (R&D)

Top States: California

"Search for jobs at Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC":http://govcentral.monster.com/careers/careers_search/search?q=Lawrence+Livermore+&location=&zip_code=&radius=50&job_status=&job_posted_within=&salary_range_min=&salary_range_max=&commit=SEARCH

h4. 6) Alliance For Sustainable Energy, LLC

Headquarters: Lakewood, CO

Total Contracts Amount (2009, Q1): $483,812,548 (2.31% of total)

Top Products or Services: Operation of Government-Owned Facilities -- Government-Owned Contractor-Operated (GOCO) R&D Facilities

Top Agencies: Department of Energy

Top States: Colorado

"Search for jobs at Alliance For Sustainable Energy, LLC":http://govcentral.monster.com/careers/careers_search/search?q=Alliance+For+Sustainable+Energy&location=&zip_code=&radius=50&job_status=&job_posted_within=&salary_range_min=&salary_range_max=&commit=SEARCH

Note: Also research on their website, as the job listings above were limited

http://www.allianceforsustainableenergy.org/

h4.

If you want to work in these advanced and growing fields,
get an advanced degree

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1) Lockheed Martin Corporation

2) Los Alamos National Security LLC

3) United Space Alliance LLC

4) Government of The United States

5) Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC

6) Alliance For Sustainable Energy, LLC

h4. 7) Merck & Co., Inc.

Headquarters: Lakewood, CO

Total Contracts Amount (2009, Q1): $384,200,606 (2.31% of total)

Top Agencies: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Asst. Sec. for Health except national centers, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs

Top Products and Services: Chemicals, Laboratory Equipment and Supplies, Laboratory Equipment and Supplies

Top States: Pennsylvania, Georgia, New York

"Search for jobs at Merck & Co., Inc.":http://govcentral.monster.com/careers/careers_search/search?commit=SEARCH&job_posted_within=&job_status=&location=&page=1&q=Merck&radius=50&salary_range_max=&salary_range_min=&zip_code

h4. 8) Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLC

Headquarters: Oak Ridge, TN

Total Contracts Amount (2009, Q1): $329,741,161 (1.57% of total)

Top Agencies: Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration

Top Products and Services: Operation of Government-Owned Facilities -- Miscellaneous Buildings

Top States: Tennessee

"Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLC":http://govcentral.monster.com/careers/careers_search/search?q=Babcock+Wilcox&location=&zip_code=&radius=50&job_status=&job_posted_within=&salary_range_min=&salary_range_max=&commit=SEARCH

h4.

If you want to work in these advanced and growing fields,
get an advanced degree

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h4. 9) Ut-Battelle, LLC

Headquarters: Oak Ridge, TN

Total Contracts Amount (2009, Q1): $329,685,336 (1.57% of total)

Top Agencies: Department of Energy, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Top Products and Services: Operation of Government-Owned Facilities - Government-Owned Contractor-Operated (GOCO) R&D Facilities, Chemicals

Top States: Tennessee

"Search for jobs at Ut-Battelle, LLC":http://govcentral.monster.com/careers/careers_search/search?q=Battelle&location=&zip_code=&radius=50&job_status=&job_posted_within=&salary_range_min=&salary_range_max=&commit=SEARCH

h4. 10) Ch2m Hill Companies, Ltd.

Headquarters: Oak Ridge, TN

Total Contracts Amount (2009, Q1): $283,498,666 (1.35% of total)

Top Agencies: Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Bureau of Reclamation

Top Products and Services: Maintenance, Repair or Alteration of Real Property - Waste Treatment and Storage Facilities, Operation of Government-Owned Facilities - Restoration of real property, Logistics Support Services, Architect - Engineer Services (including landscaping, interior layout, and designing), A&E Management Engineering Services

Top States: Washington, Idaho, Wisconsin, New York, California

"Search for jobs at Ch2m Hill Companies, Ltd.":http://govcentral.monster.com/careers/careers_search/search?q=Ch2m&location=&zip_code=&radius=50&job_status=&job_posted_within=&salary_range_min=&salary_range_max=&commit=SEARCH

Source: USASpending.gov

h4.

If you want to work in these advanced and growing fields,
get an advanced degree

Am I Eligible for Security Clearance?

Military.com — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:46:00 -0700

Introduction

The following guidelines are established for all individuals who require access to classified information. They apply to persons being considered for initial or continued eligibility, and are used by government departments and agencies in all final clearance determinations.

Investigative Process

The determination of whether the granting or continuing of eligibility for a security clearance is based upon careful consideration of the following:

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• Guideline A: Allegiance to the U.S.

• Guideline B: Foreign influence

• Guideline C: Foreign preference

• Guideline D: Sexual behavior

• Guideline E: Personal conduct

• Guideline F: Financial considerations

• Guideline G: Alcohol consumption

• Guideline H: Drug involvement

• Guideline I: Emotional, Mental, and Personality Disorders

• Guideline J: Criminal conduct

• Guideline K: Security violations

• Guideline L: Outside activities

• Guideline M: Misuse of information technology systems

When information of security concern becomes known about a person who is currently seeking security clearance, the investigator will consider several factors in determining if clearance should be granted or denied. These factors include:

• The person voluntarily reported the adverse information

• Was truthful and complete in responding to questions

• Sought assistance and followed professional guidance, where appropriate

• Resolved or appears likely to favorably resolve the security concern

• Has demonstrated positive changes in behavior and employment

• Should have his or her access temporarily suspended pending final adjudication of the information.

After evaluating information of security concern, the investigator decides whether security clearance will be granted or denied. It may be appropriate to recommend approval with a warning that future incidents of a similar nature may result in revocation of access.

5 Steps to Gaining a Security Clearance

Kyle Stone | GovCentral Editor — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:32:00 -0700

A security clearance is often essential to landing a job with government contractors or federal agencies who handle sensitive information. Since the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and a huge demand for internet security work, there has never been a greater demand for employees to work on classified programs. Therefore, qualified job seekers will find that they have a tremendous advantage over non-cleared candidates; they will benefit by receiving a salary premium.

Security clearances are special statuses assigned to people as a method of trusting them access to sensitive, classified, and confidential information.

Receiving a United States Security Clearance requires applicants to clear a formal vetting procedure; are you ready to gain your security clearance, and enter the highest tier of government job searchers? Or, if you already have clearance from a previous job or military position, do you know how you can ensure that you retain your clearance? We will walk you through the entire process from start to finish.

Step 1: Find Jobs Requiring Security Clearance

Step 2: Submit the Form 86

Step 3: Interview and Investigation

Step 4: Ensure Your Own Eligibility

Step 5: Clearance Granted

Already Cleared? Learn How to Retain Your Clearance

GovCentral's Security Clearance Center

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h3. Step 1: Find Jobs Requiring Security Clearance

You cannot simply ask the federal government for security clearance. Here's what you need to do:

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• You must first be offered a position at a company or agency that requires clearance. An excellent way to find these employment opportunities is to use the USAJOBS Job Database to find positions that have been posted directly by government hiring departments.

• Alternatively, you can search for jobs with a large government contracting unit, such as Northrop Grumman, Harris, EDS, or Lockheed Martin. These companies have all have large military contracts. Other options include searching in fields such as biochemistry, telecommunications, and financial services.

• Enlisting in the military is another way to gain a security clearance. Particular positions within the military may automatically confer a cleared status to the military employee, whereas others will not.

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h3. Step 2: Submit the Form 86

You will need to complete the appropriate security questionnaire, which is usually Standard Form 86. It is essential that job candidates complete the questionnaire and other required forms thoroughly, honestly, and with candor. The hiring office will submit the completed questionnaire to the DS's Office of Personnel Security and Suitability, which will contact you in case there are any questions about your forms.

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If you have already earned one level of security clearance in a past position, but must move up to a higher level, consider mentioning that you are "Eligible for US Security Clearances" on your resume. This will mean to the hiring agency that you have no prior drug record or felonies which could incriminate you, and may expedite the processing of your application.

Once your forms have been received, National agency record checks will be conducted, and your fingerprints will be scanned and checked. Your information will be entered into a case management system, and a background check on this information will be conducted by a case investigator.

As a general tip, make sure that your answers regarding addresses, previous employment, and visits to other countries remains consistent throughout the process of your application. Always keep copies of your paperwork to use as a reference guide.

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h3. Interview and Investigation

Especially if you're applying for a job involving more sensitive information, you are likely to undergo an interview with a government investigator. This interview is nothing to be afraid of. The questions you are asked will explore various areas of your personal and professional life. Investigators may also contact your neighbors and friends for basic fact-checking purposes. In some cases, you will take a polygraph test.

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The interview will be face-to-face, and provides you with a change to explain any information which might not be completely clear on your clearance application. Prepare yourself with a list of topics you want to bring up, if there is anything you are uncertain of.

Fasle information and omissions in an application can disqualify you from receiving a clearance; take advantage of GovCentral's Security Clearance Center to ensure that you understand exactly what is expected of you.

The only persons that will be allowed to see the information you submit are Personnel Security, Suitability, and Investigations professionals who have been investigated and have a demonstrated need to review the information. You may request a copy of your investigation file by writing to:

OPM-IS, FOIP

Post Office Box 618

Boyers, PA 16018-0618.

You must include your full name, Social Security Number, date and place of birth, and you must sign your request.

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h3. Step 4: Ensure Your Own Eligibility

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Government Human Resources may use the results of an investigation to assist in determining a job candidate's suitability for employment. Once investigators have completed an investigation report, highly trained clearance adjudicators will weigh the results against existing investigation guidelines to ensure that a candidate is eligible for security clearance.

The more work you do on your own to determine whether or not you meet these guidelines, the more likely you are to actually get cleared. Read "Am I Eligible for Security Clearance?" for more information about this.

The Office of Personnel Security and Suitability conducts about 25,000 personnel security clearances each year for the State Department and other federal agencies alone.

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h3. Step 5: Clearance Granted

Most candidates and applicants will be granted clearance; sometimes, complicating factors and derogatory findings are more likely to delay or decision than to result in the immediate denial of a security clearance.

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What Can Prevent Me from Obtaining a Clearance?

Prior felonies, drug use, bad credit, extensive travel overseas, living in frowned upon countries, mental health conditions — these types of things can slow down the investigation process and may prevent you from receiving a clearance altogether.

If a lifestyle review is conducted, your ability to answer truthfully to legal questions is taken into account. Personal conduct, sexual behavior, alcohol consumption, foreign preference (dual citizenships), outside activities and associations are all topics that are fair game.

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Interim Security Clearances

If issues of concern surface during any phase of security processing, coverage is expanded to resolve those issues. At lower levels, interim clearances may be issued to individuals who are presently under investigation, but whom have passed some preliminary, automatic process. Such automatic processes include things such as credit checks, felony checks, and so on. An interim clearance may be denied (although the final clearance may still be granted) for having a large amount of debt or having admitted to seeing a doctor for a mental health condition.

Formal clearances usually are processed and investigated in less than 90 days.

Learn more about the security clearance process by reviewing official FAQs concerning security clearances.

What is a Background Investigation?

Office of Personnel Management — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:09:00 -0700

Q: Why are you going to investigate me? I'm only applying for an entry level job and I don't need a security clearance.

A: The interests of the national security require that all persons privileged to be employed in the departments and agencies of the government shall be reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and of complete and unswerving loyalty to the United States. This means that the appointment of each civilian employee in any department or agency of the government is subject to investigation. The scope of the investigation will vary, depending on the nature of the position and the degree of harm that an individual in that position could cause.

The requirement to be investigated applies whether or not the position requires a security clearance (in order to have access to classified national security information).

Q: Do I have to answer all the questions on the form? A lot of that information is already on my resume.

A: Yes. The resume is part of the application process. The Security Questionnaire is part of the investigation process. All of the questions should be answered fully, accurately, and honestly.

Q: What will happen if I refuse to give you some of this personal information?

A: The investigation is a job requirement. Providing the information is voluntary, but if you choose not to provide the required information, you will not meet the requirements of the job and will therefore not be considered further. If you are already employed by the Federal government, your appointment will be terminated. The courts have upheld this principle.

Q: What should I do if I remember something later, after I've filled out the form and turned it in?

A: Immediately notify the security officials to whom you submitted the questionnaire.

Q: I'm not a criminal; why do you want my fingerprints?

A: So that we can verify your claim that you're not a criminal by checking the FBI's fingerprint files. And, Executive Orders require that all Federal employees be fingerprinted.

Q: My brother works for one of the largest companies in the world, but he didn't have to go through all this; why should I?

A: The rules, regulations, laws, and orders governing the hiring and retention of Federal employees are specific. There is no requirement for private employers to use the same guidelines as public employers. Of course, if your brother's job with the private employer required him to have access to classified national security information as a contractor to the Federal government, even your brother would have to be investigated.

Q: Will I get a chance to explain some of the answers I give you?

A: Yes. Many types of background investigation involve a personal interview. Moreover, you may submit information on extra pages with your questionnaire if you feel you need to more fully explain details or circumstances of the answers you put on the form.

Q: Who gets to see the report you prepare about me? Do I?

A: The only persons authorized to see this information are Personnel Security, Suitability, and Investigations professionals who have been investigated and have a demonstrated need to review the information. You may request a copy of your investigation file under provisions of the Privacy Act. For an OPM investigation request, write to OPM-IS, FOIP, Post Office Box 618, Boyers, PA 16018-0618. You must include your full name, Social Security Number, date and place of birth, and you must sign your request.

Q: I'm physically handicapped; will that hurt my chances for a job?

A: No. It is against Federal law to discriminate based on a handicapping condition.

Q: Who decides if I get the job or a security clearance?

A: Adjudications officials at the agency requiring the investigation will evaluate your case and communicate their recommendation to the appropriate personnel or security office.

Q: Are you going to tell my boss that I'm looking for a job?

A: It is a requirement of a background investigation that your current employer be contacted. We must verify your employment data and make other inquiries concerning your background. If you are a Federal employee or contractor, it may be that your current employer needs you to have a security clearance for the work you do. In other instances, generally you are asked to complete the investigative form for an investigation and clearance only after a conditional offer of employ-ment has been made for a position requiring a security clearance.

Q: Doesn't the FBI conduct all Federal background investigations?

A: Actually, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Defense, and a few other agencies share this responsibility. The FBI mostly conducts investigations of high level Presidential appointees (Cabinet Officers and agency heads) and staff who may work at the White House directly for the President.

Q: A lot of contractors say that you need a security clearance to apply for their jobs. How can I get a clearance in advance so I can apply for these jobs? Can I pay for it myself?

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A: The Office of Personnel Management has no procedure for an individual to independently apply for an investigation or security clearance. Clearances are based on investigations requested by Federal agencies, appropriate to specific positions and their duties. Until a person is offered such a position, the government will not request or pay for an investigation for a clearance. Once a person has been offered a job (contingent upon satisfactory completion of an investigation), the government will require the person to complete a Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions, initiate the investigation, adjudicate the results, and issue the appropriate clearance.

We know that some Defense Department contractors require applicants to already have a clear-ance, and they have the right to administer their personnel hiring procedures the way they want as long as they don't discriminate based on prohibited factors (such as race or religion). Persons who already have clearances are those who are already employed by a government contractor (or by the government itself) and are looking for other job opportunities.

Q: How long does a background investigation take?

A: Because of the number of variable factors involved, there is no definitive answer to this question.

The kind of investigation to be conducted (which, for example, can be based on the level of a security clearance needed) will depend on the reason for the investigation. Different kinds of background investigations have different requirements for the scope of the investigative coverage to be obtained.

Some persons have more complex backgrounds than other persons and, consequently, more time is required to conduct a complete investigation.

Sometimes, the investigative workload of the investigating agency is such that Investigators cannot work at their ordinary levels of efficiency and timeliness.

h3. Background Investigation Resources

For additional information about your OPM Investigation, contact:

*US Office of Personnel Management*

Federal Investigations Processing Center

PO BOX 618

Boyers, Pennsylvania 16018-0618

(724) 794-5612

3 Levels of Security Clearance

Military.com — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:46:00 -0700

h3. Classification Levels

National security information that requires protection against unauthorized disclosure are classified at one of the following three levels.

Top Secret Clearance

Top Secret is applied to information that reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security if disclosed to unauthorized sources.

This level needs to be reinvestigated every 5 years.

Secret Clearance

Secret is applied to information that reasonably could be expected to cause serious damage to the national security if disclosed to unauthorized sources.

This level is reinvestigated every 10 years.

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Confidential Clearance

Confidential is applied to information that reasonably could be expected to cause damage to the national security if disclosed to unauthorized sources. The vast majority of military personnel are given this very basic level of clearance.

This level needs to be reinvestigated every 15 years.

Clearance Reinvestigation

Reinvestigations are more important than the original investigation because those individuals who have held clearances longer are more likely to be working with increasingly critical information.

Don't Let Your Security Clearance Expire

Christopher Michel | Military.com — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:04:00 -0700

Eventually, the time comes for many of us to evaluate the marketability of the skills, qualifications, and experiences we have gained through government service. We hope a prospective employer will appreciate our proven leadership abilities, sharp intellect, and valuable training - fortunately, many do. One of the most valuable, and perpetually underestimated, qualifications that many of us bring to the table is our active security clearances. Today, thousands of employers are in a desperate hunt for cleared individuals to support a myriad of government agencies and programs.

Qualified job seekers will find they have a tremendous leg up on non-cleared candidates and, almost certainly, will benefit from a salary premium. Unfortunately, many people let their security clearances lapse. An active clearance is a commodity that must be actively maintained and managed.

With the global war on terror in full bloom, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, significant increases in defense spending, and the growing intelligence community, there never has been a greater demand for employees to work on classified programs. This strong demand has put a significant strain on the Defense Security Service (DSS), the government agency responsible for conducting background checks for the Department of Defense and other agencies. In fact, a recent report on DSS indicated it had a backlog of more than 500,000 applicants. Unfortunately for government and civilian employers, it can take noncleared employees between six months and two years to receive a new clearance -- an unacceptable time frame for many organizations that have significant contracts to deliver in the near term. In addition, the clearance process often is very expensive.

[widget:security_clearance]

A government security clearance requires a periodic reinvestigation every 15 years for a "confidential" clearance, every 10 years for "secret," and every 5 years for "top secret." When a clearance is inactivated (because of switching jobs or leaving the military), it can be fairly easy to reinstate within the first 24 months, as long as that falls within the periodic reinvestigation window. After that, it becomes significantly more difficult. In other words, if your clearance is going to lapse, it is important for you to consider some options to reactivate it within the first two years.

h3. How to Preserve Your Clearance

The easiest way to maintain security clearance is to take "cleared" positions with companies or government agencies. There certainly is no shortage of those opportunities today. A quick search among the nation's top job boards finds thousands of open positions for individuals with active clearances. The USAJOBS government job board lists more than 1,000 types of positions requiring some type of clerance - from the intriguing "supervisory intelligence officer" position at the Defense Intelligence Agency to the slightly more mundane "staff auditor". Utilizing this job search is both highly entertaining and might lead you to your next career.

There are specialty staffing companies that assist defense contractors and government agencies to fill temporary and full-time positions with cleared individuals. "We provide our employees the opportunity to work on tremendously important client projects. In addition to allowing flexible work schedules, we work actively to ensure our employees are able to maintain their security clearances," said Bob Merkl, president of Secure IT Services, a staffing firm specializing in connecting cleared people with public- and private-sector opportunities. Companies seeking cleared candidates, he said, often pay a 5-20% salary premium.

Your active security clearance is one of the hottest tickets in town, don't let it expire.

Insider's Guide to Homeland Security Jobs

Kyle Stone | Associate Editor, GovCentral — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 17:37:00 -0700

With a $44.9 Billion dollar annual budget and over 200,000 employees in the Department of Homeland Security alone, homeland security careers are some of the most stable, fastest growing, and most rewarding jobs available today.

There's only one thing growing faster than homeland security job offers - and that's job seekers who want careers in homeland security. In fact, in every job profile and industry breakdown we've run on GovCentral in the past two months has revealed that more GC members visit homeland security articles and DHS agency profiles than any other career field or agency profile - by a three to one ratio!

What does this mean for you? It means there's a lot of job opportunity, but an equal amount of competition. This article intends to reveal insider's information the homeland security career field, and to direct you towards the career advice you need to land the job you're looking for.

1. How to Apply to Homeland Security Positions

2. Career Profile

3. Which Agencies Are Hiring in Homeland Security?

4. How Can I Learn More?

[widget:homeland_security_links]

_Use the navigation at the bottom to click through each page of the Homeland Security Job Guide._
[page]

h3. How to Apply for Homeland Security Positions

[photo:27405]

1. Find the Job that is Right for You

Visit the Job Search page where you can search for current Homeland Security employment opportunities by job category, location, salary, and more.

2. Review the Job Announcement

Homeland Security job announcements will provide you important information about job qualifications, duties, salary, duty location, benefits, and security requirements. Here you will be able to determine if your interests, education, and professional background make you a good candidate for the job.

All Homeland Security jobs require U.S. citizenship and most require successful completion of a full background investigation. In addition, applicants may be required to submit to a drug test.

3. Apply for the Job

Carefully follow instructions on “how to apply” for the job. Instructions will guide you through the application process, providing you detailed information on the questions, forms, and format that must be addressed and used to capture your qualifications for the job. Be sure to submit all required documents and pay close attention to the application due date and application procedures, which will vary depending on the job and the department component.

Persons with Disabilities who hold a certification eligibility letter from a State Vocational Rehabilitation Office or the Department of Veterans Affairs may apply for Homeland Security employment opportunities through one of several special hiring authorities. Applicants with certification eligibility letters may apply directly to a Homeland Security Selective Placement Coordinator to be considered for a job.

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4. Interview for the Job

The names of best-qualified candidates will be forwarded to the supervisor or hiring official. If you are one of the best-qualified candidates, the supervisor or hiring official may interview you in person or by telephone, or in rare cases may hire you based solely on your application materials. Selection procedures are subject to Federal Civil Service laws, which ensure that all applicants receive fair and equal treatment in the hiring process.

[page]

h3. Career Profile for Homeland Security Work

This page intends to give GovCentral users an idea of what types of homeland security careers are in demand, and what type of work they are likely to perform.

h3. Noteworthy Facts

● DHS is the third largest Cabinet department in the U.S. federal government, after the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs.

● The US Coast Guard is actually part of the Department of Homeland Security, not the Department of the Navy.

● The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

● The government is hiring many Intelligence specialists as a response to new bioterror threats.

h3. What Are the Career Fields?

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● Security and Protection

● Acquisition & Business Management

● Computer/Electrical Engineering

● Computer Science

● Cryptanalysis

● Foreign Languages

● Human Resources

● Intelligence Analysis

● Mathematics

● Occupational Health

● Research

● Security (police)

● Signals Analysis

h3. What Are Some of the Job Titles?

● Security Guards

● Acquisition logistics specialist

● Budget analyst

● Emergency medical technician

● Private Detectives and Investigators

● Contracting specialist

● Transportation Inspectors

● Ambulance Drivers and Attendants

● Manpower management analyst

● Program manager

● Emergency Management Specialists

● Resource programmer

[page]

h3. Which Agencies and Departments Are Hiring?

Department of Homeland Security

Since 2003, the new Department has brought together 22 entities with critical homeland security missions, and for the first time provided us with a single federal department whose primary mission is to maintain the security of the US as a geopolitical nation. Responsible for many specific initiatives and effective in streamlining relations between the federal government and local and state governments, the DHS has created widespread change to the National Defense Strategy of the United States.

National Security Agency

The National Security Agency (NSA) is rapidly hiring experienced professionals, college seniors, and even high school graduates in multiple career areas. Unlike other federal agencies, the NSA is an Excepted Service Agency: this means that the NSA has more flexibility when it comes to creating jobs, recruiting, and hiring, since all three actions are completed within the NSA's own human resources system. This means more flexibility for you, too.

NSA is increasing its partnerships with industry and academia... expanding its research and development, and aggressively recruiting and hiring cryptologic professionals.

These changes are revolutionizing the Agency's capability to produce foreign signals intelligence and protect sensitive government communications in a digital age. These changes give warfighters and policymakers real-time insight into the adversary's mindset. These changes ensure that NSA's capabilities will continue to prevent conflict, shorten wars, and save lives.

Department of Defense

The Department of Defense contributes to homeland security through its military missions overseas, homeland defense, and support to civil authorities. Ongoing military operations abroad have reduced the terrorist threat against the United States.

There are three circumstances under which the Department would be involved in improving security at home:

1. In extraordinary circumstances, the Department would conduct military missions such as combat air patrols or maritime defense operations. The Department would take the lead in defending the people and the territory of our country, supported by other agencies.

2. Second, the Department of Defense would be involved during emergencies such as responding to an attack or to forest fires, floods, tornadoes, or other catastrophes. In these circumstances, the Department may be asked to act quickly to provide capabilities that other agencies do not have.

3. Finally, the Department of Defense would also take part in “limited scope” missions where other agencies have the lead - for example, security at a special event like the recent Olympics.

White House Office of Homeland Security

Even after the Department of Homeland Security was created, the White House Office of Homeland Security continues to play a key role advising the President and coordinating the interagency process. It will continue to work with the Office of Management and Budget to develop and defend homeland security budget proposals.

Other Federal Departments and Agencies

Many other government departments and agencies support homeland security as part of their overall mission.

The Attorney General, as America’s chief law enforcement officer, will lead our Nation’s law enforcement effort to
detect, prevent, and investigate terrorist activity within the United States.

The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection and Agricultural Research Services have important homeland security responsibilities for preventing agroterrorism.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health, both part of the Department of Health and Human Services, provide critical expertise and resources related to bioterrorism.

Several other federal entities have significant counterterrorism intelligence responsibilities, including the CIA’s Counterterrorist Center and the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division and Criminal Intelligence
Section.

[page]

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h3. How Can I Learn More?

Read the National Strategy for Homeland Security document in .pdf form, created in July of 2002.

Read the Career Voyages Career Opportunities in Security document.

Find a Career With the U.S. Border Patrol

Geoffrey Fox / Monster.com — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:39:00 -0700

The US Border Patrol offers a fast-paced, challenging law enforcement career in which fluency in Spanish is a definite advantage. Now part of the Department of Homeland Security, the Border Patrol is responsible for patrolling all 6,000 miles of the US land borders and 2,000 miles of coast around Florida and Puerto Rico. Its greatest focus, however, is on the border with Mexico, where economic conditions in that country and elsewhere have increased the pressure and violence of illegal immigration and smuggling.

Despite the dangers, Héctor Escamilla and Ramón Rojas, two Mexican American Border Patrol workers, speak passionately about their jobs. Escamilla, a 16-year veteran of the agency and now special operations supervisor in McAllen, Texas, says he was initially drawn by the opportunity to serve on "the front line of national defense" and got hooked on the ruggedness of what he calls "frontier-type work."

== Related Links ==
==

Do you want to learn more about careers with the federal government?
Find one here. ==

Looking for scholarships to take your skill set to the next level?

Find one here. ==

But to launch a Border Patrol career, you'll need to take some practical steps to prepare for the challenges ahead.

== How to Join ==

Today, recruits who pass the entrance exam are sent to the Border Patrol Academy, either in Brunswick, Georgia, or the satellite facility in Charleston, South Carolina, where they undergo a 21-week program that focuses on military discipline with training in law, firearms, driving (a big part of the job in rough terrain) and Spanish, which is required of all agents.

While in the academy, the new agent receives full base pay at the GS-5 level, starting at around $25,000 per year, with step increases over time. After seven months, the new agent takes an exam to move up to GS-7, a year later to GS-9, and a year after that to GS-11, where base salary is generally $50,000 or more, depending on the area and the individual's step within each grade. Bonuses and overtime pay can bring that up considerably.

An insider's perspective might help you decide whether the risks and rewards balance out.

== A Day on the Job ==

"Usually you're with a partner at night, but in the daytime you'll go out alone. And people will pop rounds at you from a distance," says Escamilla with a laugh. But, he says, the situation is worse in Tucson.

Rojas, training manager for the Border Patrol in Tucson, points out that it's "the roughest sector in the Border Patrol now."

"San Diego has pretty much shut down" due to intense patrolling, thus diverting activity to Arizona, says Rojas. Agents patrol their 280 miles of desert border on horseback, in Suburbans, on dirt bikes, and, in urban areas, bicycles.

"We get armed encounters seven or eight times out of 10," says Rojas. That means that the agents find a weapon, whether a knife or a gun.

"We find 2,000 or 3,000-pound loads of marijuana regularly," Escamilla says, as well as other merchandise. But the biggest smuggling business is people. Though most are Mexicans and Central Americans, agents also find large numbers of Middle Eastern people and Asians trying to get across.

"It's not uncommon to come onto a group of 20 to 30 people," he says. "Ninety percent are humble people, just trying to make a better life for themselves." But the others include drug smugglers and other criminals, sometimes in fake Mexican federal police uniforms, and they may be armed.

== Cultural Issues ==

How do they feel about stopping so many Hispanics/Latinos who are just trying to find a better life?

Escamilla thinks he is doing them a service by helping them safely return to their home country.

Rojas agrees. "How I rationalize the feeling," he says, is that he is protecting "a lot of people who get jobs [in the US] and don't get paid. I see it as helping them out."

== Is It Worth It? ==

Every morning a Border Patrol agent asks himself, "Am I going to make it today?" It's a question Escamilla embraces. "Every day out in the field is an adventure. It's a fun job," he says.

How to Obtain a Security Clearance

Roberta Chinsky Matuson / Monster.com — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 15:02:00 -0700

Suppose you've come across an hourly job that looks like a great fit. There's just one small matter: The position requires a US security clearance, and you don't have one. You may think that you can just apply for the clearance and in no time the job will be yours, but the process isn't quite that simple.

You cannot obtain a security clearance for yourself. Your current or prospective employer has to do this for you. Since the process is costly and time-consuming, organizations won't do it unless it's absolutely essential. Make sure you arm yourself with the following information so you're ready to apply for the jobs you are targeting.

What's a Security Clearance?

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A security clearance is used to confirm an applicant's trustworthiness and reliability before providing access to national security information.

There are three basic levels of security classification:

*Confidential*: This clearance refers to material which, if improperly disclosed, could be reasonably expected to cause some measurable damage to national security. The vast majority of military personnel are given this very basic level of clearance. It must be reinvestigated every 15 years.

*Secret*: Unauthorized disclosure of the information this clearance covers could be expected to cause grave damage to national security. This level gets reinvestigated every 10 years.

*Top Secret*: Individuals with this clearance have access to information or material that could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to national security if it was released without authorization. This level needs to be reinvestigated every five years.

Who Needs a Security Clearance?

If your job requires access to classified government documents or if you work in a government-secured facility, you must hold a security clearance.

Hourly positions that may require a security clearance include secretaries, security officers, librarians, system administrators and computer-support personnel who have access to classified documents or systems.

Obtaining a Security Clearance

According to John Wojcik, manager of security and safety for a Department of Defense contractor, it can take up to two years to obtain a security clearance due to the high number of background checks already in progress. The process varies by federal agency and is constantly being tweaked based on current threats. Here is how it generally works:

1) Applicants must go through the application phase, which involves verification of US citizenship, fingerprinting and completion of the Personnel Security Questionnaire (SF-86).

2) The Defense Security Service conducts thorough background checks.

3) Last is the adjudication phase, during which findings from the investigation are reviewed and evaluated based on 13 factors determined by the Department of Defense. Examples of these factors include criminal and personal conduct, substance abuse and any mental disorders.

4) Clearance is granted or denied when this part of the process has been completed.

Things to Consider Before Proceeding

"The process of getting clearance can be very intrusive," says Dave Archibald, director of compensation for Bedford, Massachusetts-based MITRE Corp. The procedure may include polygraphs, discussions with neighbors and interviews in which very personal questions are asked.

Moreover, Wojcik suggests you find out from human resources what the disqualifiers are before you quit your current job. "You don't want to quit a good job only to find out that you are not eligible for clearance because you have relatives that live in another country," he says.

Avoid Scams

Experts warn job seekers about recruiting firms, attorneys or other companies that promise to obtain a security clearance for you or "preapprove" you for a security clearance -- for a fee. They are scams.

Get Your Foot in the Door

If you are serious about obtaining a position for which a security clearance is a must, Archibald suggests starting in a nonclassified job. Put in your time, and let your manager know that you are interested in moving up to a classified position.

Also see Security Clearances 101: How to Maximize Your Earnings

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Kyle Stone | GovCentral Contributing Writer — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:03:00 -0700

The mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is to "pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research". More specifically, NASA represents four principle organizations, referred to as mission directorates:

● Aeronautics: pioneers and proves new flight technologies that improve our ability to explore and which have practical applications on Earth.

● Exploration Systems: creates new capabilities and spacecraft for affordable, sustainable human and robotic exploration.

● Science: explores the Earth, moon, Mars and beyond; charts the best route of discovery; and reaps the benefits of Earth and space exploration for society.

● Space Operations: provides critical enabling technologies for much of the rest of NASA through the space shuttle, the International Space Station and flight support.

NASA Headquarters, located in Washington, oversees the organization under the leadership of Head Administrator Michael Griffin.

Number of Civilian Employees: 18,000

Search for Jobs

Click here for a current list of NASA vacancies.

Agency Website: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Department of Homeland Security

Kyle Stone | GovCentral Contributing Writer — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:46:00 -0700

If you’ve looked into federal employment before, you’ll find significant changes since early 2003. Public Law 107-296 established the Department of Homeland Security on January 24, 2003, in response to the September 11th attacks. Many functions were transferred to Homeland Security from other departments, including:

1) Immigration and naturalization from the Department of Justice.

2) Transportation Security Administration and the US Coast Guard from the Department of Transportation.

3) U.S. Customs Service from the Treasury Department.

4) Parts of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service from the Agriculture Department.

5) The Federal Emergency Management Agency.

DHS leads a national effort to secure America, prevents and deters terrorist attacks, protects against and responds to threats to the nation, ensures safe and secure borders, and welcomes lawful immigrants and visitors. The Department is expected to be doing extensive hiring over the next three years with a specific focus on border control and airport security personnel.

Number of Employees: 149,000

Career Fields:

● Security and Protection

● Compliance and Enforcement

● Biological Sciences

● Contracting

● Administration / Program Management

Future Hiring Projections (FY 2007-09): 47,897

Top Five Occupations:

● Transportation Security Officer (22,329)

● Border Patrol Agent (9,884)

● Customs and Border Protection Agent (6,976)

● Contractor (1,000)

● Agricultural Scientist (942)

== Current Vacancies ==

Click here for a current list of DHS vacancies.

Agency Website:

Department of Homeland Security

Department of the Army

Kyle Stone | GovCentral Contributing Writer — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:37:00 -0700

The U.S. Army's mission is to provide necessary forces and capabilities to the Combatant Commanders in support of the National Security and Defense Strategies. The Army recruits, organizes, trains, and equips Soldiers who, as vital members of their units and the Joint Team, conduct prompt, sustained combat and stability operations on land. It is also charged with providing logistics and support to enable the other Services to accomplish their missions, and supporting civil authorities in time of emergency, when directed.

Civilians work in a wide range of occupations, including scientist, engineer, administrator, physician, information technologist, childcare director, program analyst, recreation specialist, customer service representative, and many more.

Career advancement generally follows a path from entry level, through the intermediate level, to managerial or executive positions. Individual progression depends on a variety of factors including demonstrated performance, assignments completed, formal education, functional and geographical mobility, and completion of training programs.

The department's largest agencies are the U.S. Army Installation Management Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Army Medical Command, the Army National Guard, and the U.S. Army Tank, Automotive, and Armament Command. Many of the Army's top agencies are also the fastest growing agencies in the entire federal government.

Number of Civilian Employees: 240,603

Career Fields

● Engineering

● Medical and Public Health

● Information Technology

Types of Occupations

● IT Specialist

● Civil Engineer

● Nurse

● Contract Specialist

Search for Jobs

Click here for a current list of Department of the Army vacancies.

Agency Website: Department of the Army

Popular Government Careers: Correctional Officer

Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:19:00 -0800

Correctional officers, also known as detention officers, are responsible for overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to serve time in a jail, reformatory, or penitentiary.

The jail population changes constantly as some are released, some are convicted and transferred to prison, and new offenders are arrested and enter the system. Correctional officers in local jails admit and process about 12 million people a year, with about 700,000 offenders in jail at any given time. Correctional officers in State and Federal prisons watch over the approximately 1.5 million offenders who are incarcerated there at any given time.

Correctional officers maintain security and inmate accountability to prevent disturbances, assaults, and escapes. Officers have no law enforcement responsibilities outside the institution where they work.

== Criminal Justice Education ==
==

Do you want to learn more about correctional officer careers?
Learn more here. ==

Regardless of the setting, correctional officers maintain order within the institution and enforce rules and regulations. To help ensure that inmates are orderly and obey rules, correctional officers monitor the activities and supervise the work assignments of inmates. Sometimes, officers must search inmates and their living quarters for contraband like weapons or drugs, settle disputes between inmates, and enforce discipline. Correctional officers periodically inspect the facilities, checking cells and other areas of the institution for unsanitary conditions, contraband, fire hazards, and any evidence of infractions of rules. In addition, they routinely inspect locks, window bars, grilles, doors, and gates for signs of tampering. Finally, officers inspect mail and visitors for prohibited items.

Correctional officers report orally and in writing on inmate conduct and on the quality and quantity of work done by inmates. Officers also report security breaches, disturbances, violations of rules, and any unusual occurrences. They usually keep a daily log or record of their activities. Correctional officers cannot show favoritism and must report any inmate who violates the rules. If a crime is committed within their institution or an inmate escapes, they help the responsible law enforcement authorities investigate or search for the escapee. In jail and prison facilities with direct supervision of cellblocks, officers work unarmed. They are equipped with communications devices so that they can summon help if necessary. These officers often work in a cellblock alone, or with another officer, among the 50 to 100 inmates who reside there. The officers enforce regulations primarily through their interpersonal communication skills and through the use of progressive sanctions, such as the removal of some privileges.

In the highest security facilities, where the most dangerous inmates are housed, correctional officers often monitor the activities of prisoners from a centralized control center with closed-circuit television cameras and a computer tracking system. In such an environment, the inmates may not see anyone but officers for days or weeks at a time and may leave their cells only for showers, solitary exercise time, or visitors. Depending on the offenders’ security classification within the institution, correctional officers may have to restrain inmates in handcuffs and leg irons to safely escort them to and from cells and other areas and to see authorized visitors. Officers also escort prisoners between the institution and courtrooms, medical facilities, and other destinations outside the institution.

Bailiffs, also known as marshals or court officers, are law enforcement officers who maintain safety and order in courtrooms. Their duties, which vary by location, include enforcing courtroom rules, assisting judges, guarding juries from outside contact, delivering court documents, and providing general security for courthouses.

== Work Environment ==

Working in a correctional institution can be stressful and hazardous. Every year, correctional officers are injured in confrontations with inmates. Correctional officers may work indoors or outdoors. Some correctional institutions are well lighted, temperature controlled, and ventilated, but others are old, overcrowded, hot, and noisy. Although both jails and prisons can be dangerous places to work, prison populations are more stable than jail populations, and correctional officers in prisons know the security and custodial requirements of the prisoners with whom they are dealing.

Correctional officers usually work an 8-hour day, 5 days a week, on rotating shifts. Because prison and jail security must be provided around the clock, officers work all hours of the day and night, weekends, and holidays. In addition, officers may be required to work paid overtime.

== Education and Training ==

A high school diploma or graduation equivalency degree is required by all employers. The Federal Bureau of Prisons requires entry-level correctional officers to have at least a bachelor’s degree; 3 years of full-time experience in a field providing counseling, assistance, or supervision to individuals; or a combination of the two. Some State and local corrections agencies require some college credits, but law enforcement or military experience may be substituted to fulfill this requirement.

Federal, State, and some local departments of corrections provide training for correctional officers based on guidelines established by the American Correctional Association and the American Jail Association. Some States have regional training academies that are available to local agencies. At the conclusion of formal instruction, all State and local correctional agencies provide on-the-job training, including training on legal restrictions and interpersonal relations. Many systems require firearms proficiency and self-defense skills. Officer trainees typically receive several weeks or months of training in an actual job setting under the supervision of an experienced officer. However, on-the-job training varies widely from agency to agency.

Academy trainees generally receive instruction in a number of subjects, including institutional policies, regulations, and operations, as well as custody and security procedures. New Federal correctional officers must undergo 200 hours of formal training within the first year of employment. They also must complete 120 hours of specialized training at the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons residential training center at Glynco, GA, within 60 days of their appointment. Experienced officers receive annual in-service training to keep abreast of new developments and procedures.

Some correctional officers are members of prison tactical response teams, which are trained to respond to disturbances, riots, hostage situations, forced cell moves, and other potentially dangerous confrontations. Team members practice disarming prisoners wielding weapons, protecting themselves and inmates against the effects of chemical agents, and other tactics.

Top Ten Federal Contractors in 2007

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 04:53:00 -0800

Many federal job seekers seriously consider applying for open positions at federal contractors. These companies usually benefit from faster hiring processes, higher pay, and more vacancies. On the downside, government contractors cannot offer the job security that comes with federal employment and the open positions aren't as diverse. Most growth has come in the IT and Engineering career fields as contracts for defense-related machinery and information security systems have accelerated during the early part of the decade.

While growth has slowed a bit over the past year, the sector remains poised for strong job growth in the years ahead. Below is a list of the ten most profitable federal government contractors with links to a list of all open positions at each company.

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h4. 1) Boeing Co.

Headquarters: Chicago, IL

Total Contracts Amount (2007, 2Q): $12,011,515,965 (8.2% of total)

Top Agencies: Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, Missile Defense Agency, Department of the Air Force, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Top States: Missouri, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Washington

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h4. 2) Northrop Grumman Corp.

Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA

Total Contracts Amount (2007, 2Q): $8,339,241,647 (5.7% of total)

Top Agencies: Department of the Navy, Department of the Air Force, Department of the Army, Missile Defense Agency and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Top States: Virginia, Mississippi, Utah, and California

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h4. 3) Lockheed Martin Corp.

Headquarters: Bethesda, MD

Total Contracts Amount (2007, 2Q): $7,994,661,406 (5.5% of total)

Top Agencies: Department of the Navy, Department of the Army, Department of Energy, Department of the Air Force, and the Missile Defense Agency.

Top States: California, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, and Colorado

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h4. 4) Raytheon Co.

Headquarters: Waltham, MA

Total Contracts Amount (2007, 2Q): $4,828,012,188 (3.3% of total)

Top Agencies: Department of the Navy, Department of the Army, Department of the Air Force, Missile Defense Agency, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Top States: Massachusetts, Arizona, Texas, and Alabama

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h4. 5) General Dynamics Corp.

Headquarters: Falls Church, VA

Total Contracts Amount (2007, 2Q): $3,255,631,957 (2.2% of total)

Top Agencies: Department of the Navy, Department of the Army, Department of the Air Force, Federal Technology Service, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Top States: Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Georgia

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h4. 6) KBR Inc.

Headquarters: Houston, TX

Total Contracts Amount (2007, 2Q): $2,726,984,291 (1.9% of total)

Top Agencies: Department of the Army, Defense Logistics Agency, Department of the Navy, National Institutes of Health, and the Smithsonian Institution

Top States: Texas, Maryland, Virginia, and Louisiana

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h4. 7) L-3 Communications Holdings

Headquarters: New York, NY

Total Contracts Amount (2007, 2Q): $2,025,677,616 (1.4% of total)

Top Agencies: Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, Department of the Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command, and the U.S. Customs Service

Top States: Mississippi, Kentucky, Virginia, Texas, and Florida

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h4. 8) BAE Systems

Headquarters: London, UK

Total Contracts Amount (2007, 2Q): $1,987,237,574 (1.4% of total)

Top Agencies: Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, Department of the Air Force, Departmental Offices and the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Top States: Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Mississippi, Maryland, and the District of Columbia

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h4. 9) McKesson Corporation

Headquarters: San Francisco, CA

Total Contract Amount (2007, 2Q): $1,839,073,879 (1.3% of total)

Top Agencies: Department of Veterans Affairs, Defense Logistics Agency, Bureau of Prisons, Indian Health Service, and the National Institutes of Health

Top States: Illinois, Kansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Texas

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h4. 10) Computer Sciences Corp.

Headquarters: El Segundo, CA

Total Contracts Amount (2007, 2Q): $1,583,135,507 (1.1% of total)

Top Agencies: Department of the Air Force, Department of the Navy, Department of the Army, Missile Defense Agency, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Top States: Virginia, District of Columbia, Maryland, and New Jersey

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Source: USASpending.gov

Department of the Air Force: Federal Jobs Overview

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:26:00 -0800

The mission of the United States Air Force is to deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests - to fly and fight in Air, Space, and Cyberspace. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Reach and Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. This vision requires that it have top civil engineering and intelligence personnel.

The department's largest agencies are Air Force Materiel Command, Air National Guard, Air Education and Training Command, Air Force Reserve Headquarters, and the Air Combat Command.

== Number of Civilian Employees ==

155,228

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== Career Fields ==

* Engineering
* Intelligence
* Information Technology

== Types of Occupations ==

* Intelligence Specialist
* Flight Engineer
* Aircraft Mechanic
* Human Resources Specialist

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Five Largest Federal Departments

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== Search for Jobs ==

Click here for a current list of Department of the Air Force vacancies.

== Agency Website ==

Department of the Air Force

_Return to Department of Defense: Federal Jobs Overview page._

Department of the Army: Federal Jobs Overview

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 11:33:00 -0800

== Number of Civilian Employees ==

240,603

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== Career Fields ==

* Engineering
* Medical and Public Health
* Information Technology

== Types of Occupations ==

* IT Specialist
* Civil Engineer
* Nurse
* Contract Specialist

== Learn More ==
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Five Largest Federal Departments

Obtaining a Security Clearance

Office of the Secretary of the Navy

Top Ten Cities for Federal Jobs

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== Search for Jobs ==

Click here for a current list of Department of the Army vacancies.

== Agency Website ==

Department of the Army

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Featured Agency: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 13:25:00 -0800

USCIS is responsible for the administration of immigration and naturalization adjudication functions and establishing immigration services policies and priorities. These functions include: adjudication of immigrant visa petitions; adjudication of naturalization petitions; adjudication of asylum and refugee applications; adjudications performed at the service centers. USCIS was called Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) before it became part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2003.

== Number of Employees ==

8,394

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== Career Fields ==

* Security and Protection
* Legal
* Management and Administration
* Information and Public Relations

== Types of Occupations ==

* Adjudication Officer
* Attorney
* Immigration Information Officer
* Management and Program Analyst
* Asylum Officer

== Search for Jobs ==

Click here for a current list of USCIS vacancies.

== Agency Website ==

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

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