Protection Strategies Incorporated Hiring for Investigative Assistant – Remote at Washington, DC Full Time

Do you want to make a difference? Do you want to join a diverse team supporting a unifying mission? PSI is always looking to enhance its staff with professional, talented individuals.

PSI is willing to sponsor candidates for Top Secret Clearance (for specific jobs that require it)

Culture

PSI’s success is driven by our motto “People First, Mission Always.” We put people first, and this starts with our team members. We treat everyone on our diverse team with respect, and we work hard to ensure everyone’s success by providing leadership, training, mentorship, and development opportunities. Our competitive benefits and culture of integrity, professionalism, and excellence attracts top talent in the industry.

Missions

Together with our federal partners, PSI is engaged in protecting critical assets by investigating and adjudicating personnel for secure and sensitive programs, protecting the resiliency of the Nation’s essential infrastructure, and supporting the safe placement of unaccompanied refugee minors. We support the mission of our customers through trusted partnerships and by creating tailored solutions that meet their needs and overcome the challenges created by the ever-evolving landscape.

Workforce Diversity

PSI has achieved and maintains one of the most diverse workforces in the country. 56% of our workforce is ethnically diverse and 53% of our workforce are women. This extends to our leadership team as well. 56% of our leadership team is ethnically diverse and 50% of our leadership team are women. At PSI, we do not talk about doing the right thing, we just do it.

About The Role

This individual supports the Office of Security Services, Personnel Security Operations Branch providing administrative and investigative support related to planning and conducting pre-employment inquiries and issue resolution covering the character, practices, suitability, or qualifications of persons seeking to work for or on behalf of the client. Contacting federal, state and local officials, and other organizations and individuals related to the subject investigation, to gather facts, obtain statements, learn sequences of events, obtain explanations and other advance investigative objectives. Conduct quality review of reports of investigation and personnel security case files.

Responsibilities

• Contacts other personnel security operations and documents the reason for a “please call” designation in CVS.
• Conducts status checks on background investigations utilizing the automated OPM Personnel Investigations Processing System (PIPS).
• Conducts telephone and written inquiries in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974.
• Conducts Subject contact in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and obtains written statements when required.
• Initiates background investigations at the correct tier based on the risk/sensitivity level of the position in the DCSA NBIS eApp system.
• Reports and documents result of inquiries.
• Completes investigative leads within established time frames.
• Conducts post-investigation follow-up necessary for issue resolution and adjudication.
• Monitors personnel security mailbox, work log, and workflow as necessary.
• Assists in audit preparation.
• Other personnel security assistant tasks as assigned.
• Must have applied knowledge of GSA PIV card processing system, USAccess.
• Validates need for investigation by conducting a check of OPM CVS.
• Establishes, reviews, and monitors background investigation accounts and information in the DCSA NBIS eApp system.
• Identifies where reciprocity may be accepted in processing based on PERSEC community and client policies.
• Creates security and/or suitability files for applicants or contractors; organizes records; maintains files; and collates documents in support of the client background investigation process.
• Initiates background investigations at the correct tier based on the risk/sensitivity level of the position in the DCSA NBIS eApp system.
• Utilizes the GSA USAccess system to sponsor individuals for HSPD-12 PIV credentials to grant logical and physical access to client facilities and allow enrollment of fingerprints for criminal history records checks.
• Drafts correspondence in the form of LOIs, Adjudicative Worksheets, and Notices of Proposed Action for second-level review.
• Reviews all required documentation to ensure they are complete and accurate and that the information in all documents and case papers, hard copy or electronic, meet OPM standards for case scheduling.

Qualifications/Requirements

• A minimum of two years of experience conducting background investigations for the purpose of adjudication for suitability or national security, or two years of combined experience; One-year conducting investigations and one year of suitability and fitness case processing or adjudication on behalf of the Federal Government.
• The most recent two years of experience shall be directly related to analyzing investigations, record checks, and other information as necessary for the purpose of making a written record of the accuracy and completeness of the investigation.
• Completed formal training in conducting background investigations in support of personnel security and suitability decisions in compliance with National Training Standards established by OPM.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing to elicit detailed information from a variety of sources necessary to evaluate an individual’s conduct and character.
• Ability to perform and adapt in a high tempo, fast paced and fluid security environment.
• Demonstrated practical knowledge of commonly applied personnel security and suitability principles, concepts, and methodologies in carrying out a variety of support assignments.
• Demonstrated experience and familiarity working with e-QIP/eAPP.
• Must possess and demonstrate an applied knowledge of utilizing the General Services Administration USAccess system to sponsor individuals for HSPD-12 PIV credentials to grant logical and physical access to client facilities and allow enrollment of fingerprints for criminal history records checks.
• Ability and willingness to learn the basic functions and operations of all systems associated with personnel security processing.
• Three plus years of experience providing professional and competent customer service, working with customers by phone, by email, and in person.
• Ability to pay strict attention to detail to ensure data errors are minimized.
• Experience reviewing personal documents, Personnel Security Questionnaires (SF-86, SF-85, SF-85P), and other records to ensure they are accurate, complete, and in compliance with the adjudication guidelines.
• Demonstrated experience and familiarity working with an automated case management system and uploading all documents into an electronic format.
• Must have excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Retrieve data from credit bureaus, request Local Agency Checks, review reports to determine criminal record, traffic violation, etc.
• Assist with following up on developed information related to investigations.
• Must possess a favorably adjudicated background investigation completed within the last five years at the BI, Tier 4 level or SSBI, Tier 5 level; and be able to maintain the favorable result throughout employment on the contract.

Company Benefits/Perks

• Medical
• HSA + HRA
• Goodrx
• Telemedicine
• Dental Benefits
• Vision Benefits
• Basic and Voluntary Life and Ad&D
• Disability Products
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(K) Retirement Plan
• Commuter Benefits
• Financial Advisor
• Tuition Assistance

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status. Our company takes affirmative action in support of its policy to and advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

Our company maintains a drug-free workplace. All offers of employment will be contingent on applicant passing a pre-employment drug screen.