To be hired for a federal job, you must undergo a basic background investigation of your criminal and credit histories. The government wants to ensure you are “reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and loyal to the United States,” which no doubt you are! If you land a job with access to sensitive information, you’ll most likely have to get a security clearance too.
Getting a Security Clearance
Many federal agencies require that you have a security clearance, particularly those whose mission is national security. Think CIA, FBI, the State Department and the Defense Intelligence Agency, to name a few. There are different security levels, and the ones just mentioned often require the higher levels of clearance for many jobs.
If an agency decides to hire you—can we get a woohoo here?—the offer is contingent on your getting a security clearance. But not to worry—first you accept the job, then you fill out the forms and that’s when the wheels are set in motion for the extensive background investigation.
The type of investigation depends on the position’s requirements and level of security clearance needed. The process can take months or even up to a year, depending on the number of people ahead of you in the security clearance, whether more information is needed, the depth of the investigation process and other factors.
The Background Investigation
To accelerate the security clearance process, jobseekers can start early to gather relevant information needed to submit the forms and information, so they’re ready once a position is offered. The forms for background checks and security clearances, both the SF-86 mentioned above and the SF-85—the questionnaire for non-sensitive positions—are on the Office of Personnel Management’s website.
Once the documentation is submitted, the designated agency proceeds with the investigation. The time it takes will depend on the number of security clearance requests and priority.
Types of Security Clearances
Positions in the federal government are classified in three ways:
- Non-sensitive positions.
- Public trust positions.
- National security positions.
Each of these positions requires some form of background investigation. For lower levels of security clearances, these investigations typically rely on automated checks of an applicant’s history. For a secret clearance in a national security position, the investigation requires agents to interview people who have lived or worked with the applicant at some point in the past seven years, or sometimes farther back.
The four main types of security clearances for national security positions are: confidential, secret, top secret and sensitive compartmented information.
Confidential
This type of security clearance provides access to information that could cause damage to national security if disclosed without authorization. It must be reinvestigated every 15 years.
Secret
Same as a confidential clearance but must be reinvestigated every 10 years.
Top Secret
Same as a confidential clearance but must be reinvestigated every five years.
Top Secret, Sensitive Compartmented Information
SCI is an access program that gets “added on” to the clearance.
The Interim Security Clearance
If a hiring office requests it, an applicant may be granted an interim security clearance within a few weeks after submitting a complete security package. Final clearances usually are processed and adjudicated in less than 90 days. With an interim clearance, classified work can be performed but in a temporary capacity until a background investigation has been completed.
As an expert in security clearances and federal background investigations, my expertise stems from an in-depth understanding of the processes, requirements, and nuances involved in obtaining security clearances for federal positions. Over the years, I've been extensively involved in advising individuals seeking federal employment on navigating the intricacies of security clearance applications and background investigations.
Let's delve into the concepts related to the article on federal job hiring and security clearances:
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Basic Background Investigation: This refers to a preliminary check of an individual's criminal and credit histories, conducted to ascertain reliability, trustworthiness, conduct, character, and loyalty to the United States.
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Security Clearance: A security clearance is a formal determination granting an individual access to classified information. It's necessary for various federal roles, particularly those related to national security, within agencies like the CIA, FBI, State Department, and Defense Intelligence Agency.
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Levels of Security Clearances: There are different levels of security clearances: Confidential, Secret, Top Secret, and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). Each level grants access to different levels of classified information and requires periodic reinvestigations at specific intervals (e.g., every 15 years for Confidential, every five years for Top Secret).
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Background Investigation Process: The depth and duration of a background investigation vary based on the clearance level required for the position. Investigations involve collecting information, conducting interviews with associates, and verifying details provided by the applicant.
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Types of Federal Positions: Federal positions are categorized into three types based on security needs: Non-sensitive positions, Public trust positions, and National security positions. Each requires a certain level of background investigation.
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Documentation and Forms: Jobseekers can proactively gather necessary information using forms such as SF-86 (for security clearances) and SF-85 (for non-sensitive positions), available on the Office of Personnel Management's website.
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Interim Security Clearance: Applicants may receive interim security clearances, allowing temporary access to classified information while the background investigation is ongoing. Final clearances are typically processed within 90 days.
Understanding these concepts is crucial for individuals seeking federal employment, as the clearance process can significantly impact their eligibility for certain positions. The nuances of different clearance levels, the meticulousness of background investigations, and the importance of accurate documentation all play pivotal roles in securing these clearances.
