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Personnel Security Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

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Personnel Security information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$37.2K

$41.3K

$49.6K

How much do personnel security jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for personnel security in Silver Spring, MD is $41,320.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,800.00 and $41,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is personnel security?

Personnel security refers to the policies and procedures used to ensure that individuals who access sensitive information or facilities are trustworthy and do not pose a security risk. This typically involves background checks, security clearances, and ongoing monitoring of employees or contractors. The goal of personnel security is to prevent unauthorized access, insider threats, and breaches that could compromise an organization's operations or data.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a personnel security specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Personnel Security Specialist, you need a deep understanding of security clearance processes, background investigations, and risk assessment, usually supported by a bachelor's degree and relevant experience. Familiarity with security databases, case management systems, and federal regulations such as the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) is essential. Strong attention to detail, discretion, and effective communication are critical soft skills for managing sensitive information and interacting with stakeholders. These skills ensure the protection of classified information, regulatory compliance, and the integrity of organizational security programs.

What are some common challenges faced by personnel security professionals, and how can they be addressed?

Personnel security professionals often encounter challenges such as managing high volumes of background investigations, staying updated with evolving security regulations, and balancing thoroughness with efficiency. Additionally, maintaining confidentiality while collaborating with HR and other departments requires strong communication and discretion. To address these challenges, professionals can leverage secure digital tools, commit to ongoing training, and foster clear procedures for interdepartmental communication.

What is the difference between Personnel Security vs Background Investigator?

AspectPersonnel SecurityBackground Investigator
CertificationsSecurity Clearance, DSS certificationsSecurity Clearance, DSS certifications
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, security officesPrivate firms, government agencies
Employer & IndustryDefense, intelligence, federal agenciesBackground screening companies, government

Personnel Security focuses on managing security clearances and ensuring personnel meet security requirements, often within government agencies. Background Investigators conduct detailed background checks to verify individuals' histories for security clearance eligibility. While both roles require similar certifications and work in security-related environments, Personnel Security emphasizes clearance management, whereas Background Investigators focus on conducting investigations. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify career paths and job expectations in security fields.

What does personnel security do?

Personnel security involves implementing policies and procedures to ensure that employees and contractors are trustworthy and pose no security risks. This includes conducting background checks, verifying identities, and managing access controls to protect sensitive information and assets. Professionals in this field often work with security clearances and security awareness training.

What are the most commonly searched types of Personnel Security jobs in Silver Spring, MD?

The most popular types of Personnel Security jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:

What are popular job titles related to Personnel Security jobs in Silver Spring, MD?

For Personnel Security jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Personnel Security jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for Personnel Security jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:

What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Personnel Security jobs?

Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Personnel Security job openings:

Personnel Security jobs near you
Infographic showing various Personnel Security job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,320 per year, or $19.9 per hour.

Personnel Security Specialist

Transportation Security Administration

Springfield, VA • On-site, Remote

$121K - $158K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago

Transportation Security Administration rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 241 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

141st of 295 rated public sector bodies

Job description

Summary
The primary purpose of this Personnel Security Specialist responsible for determining employment suitability (fitness) and security clearance eligibility; and supports the personnel security program and assists others in all aspects of the work necessary to complete background investigations.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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This Personnel Security Specialist position is located in the Personnel Security Section (PSS), Chief Security Office (CSO), Security and Operations Management (SOM), Law Enforcement (LE), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to:
  • suitability factors and adjudicative guidelines and makes discretionary recommendations effecting final suitability and security clearance eligibility.
  • Prepares clear, concise policies, regulations, notices and briefings for all levels of the Division. Writes letters of interrogatories, case summaries, eligibility notifications, and notices of adverse actions.
  • Provides guidance and training to lower level staff; ensure compliance with established standards; manages individual caseload and various projects with minimal supervisory guidance; ensures metrics and timelines are satisfied across the unit; identifies training deficiencies. May represent TSA to communicate policies and procedures.
  • Support the personnel security program, objectives and initiatives associated with all aspects of background investigations.
  • Reviews security forms to identify the presence or absence of derogatory information, evaluates the impact of various kinds of derogatory information and makes decisions on the granting, denying, or revoking of security clearances, removals and unsuitability for employment; provides second-level review and concurrence of junior Personnel Security Specialists' recommendations
  • Reviews requests for personnel or facility security clearances to assure that all required information is provided, evaluating appropriate sensitivity designation, requesting missing information from the originators, and granting clearances when derogatory information is absent or mitigated.
  • Adjudicates complex background and reports of investigations; interprets and applies.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  1. You must possess U.S. Citizenship.
  2. You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application.
  3. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI).
  4. Selective Service registration is required.
  5. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
  6. Subject to Pre-employment and subsequent random drug testing.

If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment.
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for TSA to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
Qualifications
In addition to the minimum qualifications described above, you must meet the following requirement(s) to be considered qualified for the position:To qualify for the SV-I Band Pay Band (equivalent to GS-13), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-H Band or GS-12 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as:
  • Experience providing guidance on personnel security policies including evaluating and adjudicating various levels of background investigations and rendering suitability/fitness and clearance eligibility decisions in accordance with federal policies;
  • Experience utilizing Office of Personnel Management (OPM) systems;
  • Providing technical guidance on all personnel security issues to include request to grant, deny, revoke, suspend, or restrict security eligibility;
  • Performing a wide variety of security administration functions (i.e. managing security database; preparing and maintaining security and incident reports; updating and maintaining security-related process guides and training materials).

Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Additional information
Eligibility to apply for other Federal positions: TSA is an Excepted Service agency exempt from most of Title 5 United States Code, including regulations which apply to displaced Federal employees (CTAP/ICTAP) of other agencies, and employment with TSA does not confer "Competitive Status" that generally results from selection and service in Competitive Service agencies. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has established an Interchange Agreement, which allows most permanent TSA employees to apply and be considered for vacancies in Competitive Service agencies. Information from OPM on this or other Interchange Agreements is available at: www.opm.gov/
To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation as a condition of placement into this position.
DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
TSA employees who are absent for the purpose of performing military duty may apply for any vacancies announced in their absence.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies.
If you are entering TSA employment on an appointment without time limitations, you must serve a basic trial period unless you have already met the requirement.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
Employees who transfer to TSA from an agency that allows employees to maintain an annual leave balance higher than the maximum accumulation for the appointed position will have their leave ceiling set to the maximum accumulation for the appointed position (e.g., United States duty location - 240 hours, foreign duty location - 360 hours, or TSES position - 720 hours). TSA will not make a monetary payment for any leave forfeited under these circumstances.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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