Navigating the World of Security Clearance JobsNavigating the World of Security Clearance Jobs
Security Clearance Jobs
Anyone who works in a position that requires access to classified information or restricted areas needs security clearance. This includes federal and military positions, government contractor jobs, and intelligence agency roles.
The clearance process starts with a sponsoring government agency inviting the applicant to fill out an application and security questionnaire through OPM e-QIP. Applicants then undergo a background investigation.
Benefits
A security clearance job offers many benefits, including the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects and the ability to advance in your career. In addition, the vetting process that you go through in a clearance role shows employers that you are trustworthy and can be trusted with sensitive information.
Clearance jobs are available in a wide variety of industries, from aerospace and defense to financial services and healthcare. These roles can earn you thousands more per year than jobs that do not require a clearance.
It’s important to understand the process of obtaining a security clearance before you start looking for a new job. It’s also important to avoid scams that promise to pre-approve you for a clearance for a fee. Instead, hire a professional evaluator to help you through the process. They can also advise you on what activities or connections are disqualifying. This way, you can avoid any problems that may arise during the vetting process.
Requirements
If you’re interested in a career in the security clearance field, it’s important to understand the requirements of the job. The process requires a lengthy background investigation that can include criminal records checks, credit checks, and loyalty investigations. The length of the investigation will depend on the level of clearance needed.
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) conducts a comprehensive package of investigations for candidates applying for clearance levels from Secret to SCI. This includes criminal, financial and personnel record checks, an Enhanced Subject Interview, polygraph test, and interviews of character, employment, neighborhood, and educational references.
In addition to these checks, cleared employees must complete a psych evaluation and undergo periodic reinvestigations. The clearance process can take several months to a year, depending on the level of security clearance and sensitivity of the information being handled. Cleared jobs also offer a variety of benefits, from tuition reimbursement and relocation assistance to first-rate mental health counseling.
Timeline
If you’re looking for a job with security clearance requirements, the process can take some time. The most important thing is that you remain committed to the process and don’t give up. There are many reasons for delay in the investigation, but if you don’t give up and keep submitting information, you will eventually be cleared.
On average, it takes 60 to 120 days to get a security clearance. However, this is not a guarantee. There are a number of factors that could cause delays, including delinquency in paying debts, drug use, and foreign contacts. The timeline may also change due to cyclical changes and demand for clearances. For example, the Navy Yard shooting led to a backlog of industrial clearances. As a result, the FBI is taking longer to complete background investigations.
Costs
The cost of security clearance jobs varies depending on the type and level of clearance required. For example, a Top Secret clearance requires investigators to look back as far as 15 years. This takes up time and money. Also, cleared workers must be on-site to access the information they handle, a requirement that can raise costs. However, employees do not pay for clearance procedures-the employer shoulders the burden of these expenses.
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency sets the cost of investigations for agencies that use its services. The costs are published and updated every year. Currently, a Tier 1 investigation costs about $433 and a Tier 5 investigation costs $5,410. In 2021, DCSA will move to continuous vetting, which will reduce costs for agencies by eliminating the need to conduct periodic reinvestigations. This will help agencies save money and improve their ability to hire and retain cleared employees. It will also allow them to keep a steady workforce that can continue to meet their mission.