About the opportunity
This position is located within the Defense Health Agency (DHA) Administration Security Division, Personnel Security Branch in San Antonio, Texas. The Supervisory Personnel Security Specialist serves as the final adjudicative authority for suitability or fitness determinations for federal employment. Responsibilities include evaluating complex cases containing derogatory information, advising personnel on onboarding timelines and background investigations, managing workflows across geographically separated offices, and providing day-to-day supervision and mentorship to security specialists. The role requires adapting agency standard operating procedures in response to vetting mandates and implementing procedural improvements to reduce processing times.
Salary and benefits
- Salary ranging from $127,624 to $165,917 per year, including applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement
- Leave accrual negotiation available for candidates new to Federal service
- Salary negotiation available for candidates new to Federal service
- Possible recruitment or relocation incentives for highly qualified candidates
- Potential student loan repayment authorization
- Comprehensive federal employee benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave
Who can apply?
- Must meet one of the accepted employment authority categories (such as current permanent DoD civilian employee, military spouse preference, veterans' employment opportunities, or interchange agreements)
- Must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level
- Specialized experience must include directing personnel security programs to maintain national security compliance, developing personnel security vetting policies to standardize adjudication procedures, and leading personnel by assigning tasks, reviewing work, providing technical guidance, and mentoring staff
- Must meet time-in-grade requirements of 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade (GS-13) if holding a General Schedule position within the last 52 weeks
- Must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of San Antonio, Texas
- Must be a U.S. citizen and register for Selective Service if a male born after December 31, 1959
Required documents
- A resume of two pages or less that clearly supports the required specialized experience, including employer names, job titles, start and end dates with month and year, hours worked per week, and a brief description of duties
- Proof of eligibility to apply based on the specific employment authority used
- SF-50 form demonstrating time-in-grade requirements if applying for a higher grade and holding a recent General Schedule position
- Most recent performance appraisal (optional)
- Cover letter (optional)
When to apply
- Announcement opening date: October 24, 2026
- Application closing date: October 28, 2026 at 11:59 PM (ET)
How to apply
- Click the Apply Online button on the USAJOBS announcement page and log into your account
- Answer all required questions in the application questionnaire
- Attach your resume (restricted to two pages or less) and all necessary supporting proof of eligibility documents
- Submit the complete application package prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on October 28, 2026
- Check for notifications regarding required USA Hire Assessments and complete them via the unique link provided
Additional information
- This is not a remote position and requires working on-site in San Antonio, Texas
- Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized
- A one-year probationary period is required for this position
- Direct deposit of pay is required
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Extensive background in federal personnel security, vetting policies, and background investigation adjudication at or near the GS-13 level
- Demonstrated experience in leadership, supervising security specialists, and mentoring staff across distributed or remote environments
- Familiarity with Department of Defense or Office of Personnel Management security guidelines and compliance regulations
What should you think carefully about?
- Applicants must already live within or be willing to relocate to San Antonio, Texas at their own expense since relocation costs are not authorized
- Strict submission deadline on October 28, 2026, with a resume length limitation of two pages maximum
- Requires meeting specific federal employment authority criteria to even be eligible to apply
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This role is well-suited for mid-to-senior security professionals looking to step into a supervisory federal position within defense healthcare administration, offering an established General Schedule salary grade and comprehensive public sector benefits.
Our take
Experienced federal security specialists who meet the specialized experience and specific employment authority criteria should apply before the brief closing window, while candidates lacking federal background or willing relocation arrangements should look elsewhere.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
Official-source verifiedSource: USAJOBS
