Top Clearance Jobs Trends of 2013 Included Reform, Relocation
The top 10 articles of 2013 on ClearanceJobs.com offer a glimpse at the year’s newsworthy security clearance trends and popular questions. Popular trends included security clearance policy changes, job seeker relocation and questions about the details of getting and keeping a security clearance. If we were to update the list to reflect the trends that most affected those on the other side of the process (investigators and adjudicators) – what would you include?
1. WHAT IS A PUBLIC TRUST CLEARANCE?
Are all security clearances created equal? Does every sensitive government position require a security clearance including full background investigation? No, and that’s why this article rose to the top of this year’s list. Inquiring minds wanting to know all about positions of public trust need look no further.
2. OPM REVISES CLEARANCE QUESTIONS FOR NEW DRUG LAWS IN COLORADO, WASHINGTON
Recreational drug use may have become legal in heavy defense contracting state Colorado today, but OPM published new clarification in security clearance applications noting that drug use or illegal activity which falls under federal laws must still be reported. (So, if you were thinking of giving Mary Jane a try while possessing an active federal security clearance, think again. And for all of those students now considering a spring break in the mountains – your locally legal drug use will still need to be listed on your SF86).
3. FIVE HIGH-PAYING SKILLS FOR CLEARED JOB SEEKERS
You have a security clearance, but you also need the right skills to land a high-paying job. Here’s a round up of some of the skills offering the highest pay.
4. HOW TO KEEP YOUR SECURITY CLEARANCE ACTIVE
Don’t let your security clearance expire. Just because you have received a security clearance does not mean you have the ability to maintain it. Here’s an overview of what to be aware of when it comes to financial distress and personal conduct, and how to report these issues to your security officer.
5. AIR FORCE TO SUSPEND INVESTIGATIONS INTO CLEARED AIRMEN
Sequestration slowed the security clearance process, and for the Air Force suspended parts of it completely. In a cost-saving measure the Air Force opted to suspend renewal investigations for top secret clearance holders. At the time, Air Force spokespersons staunchly defended the decision, noting that negative findings rarely came out of reinvestigations. With new scrutiny of the clearance process, however, the spotlight is on making reinvestigations more effective.
Comment Archive
So what’s new with everyone?
New revised drug questions for Colorado and Wash.
Do/did you smoke marijuana.
Yes, in Colorado and Wash.
Now answer this. If it is illegal on a fed level, but the fed govt doesn’t care–is it illegal to do while holding a clearance?
I know the obvious answer, but???????? Stop the madness 🙂
I think they should allow use and maybe our interviews would be more fun/interesting.
BW an Investigator
Good luck finding an answer to your question.
Several years ago I asked a similar question concerning medical marijuana to the suitability people in Boyers and never got an answer to my question.
https://federalnewsradio.com/congress/2014/01/house-votes-to-beef-up-opm-inspector-general-funding/
From the rumor mill, so take it as such, big news coming down Friday with Obama announcememt. Continuous monitoring and a new clearance level for the tech guys. Also hearing rumblings DSS has until Oct to submit plan to take back background work for FY 2016. New standards fit in there somewhere as well.
Fed,
If those rumors are correct, could that explain the lack of work? Lack of work that has resulted in a 4 day, end-of-year furlough at KGS and now layoffs at USIS?
Don’t know, T.W. Heard USIS lost a contract and had toomany personal, so had to do lay offs. Knew a few long timers that got nailed. I just don’t know about the overall workload.
‘too many personnel’
Just RZ my last post.
The slow down is a natural order. Budget time/renewal met with lazy ass politicians who couldn’t pass a budget, causing shutdown and backlogging months work of work–leaving it stuck in the chute. The services are still playing catch-up with funds and order of precedence. I’m betting the spigot will flow soon and heavily if my friends in the personnel security side are right.
No major changes noted at this time. The workload has not increased dramatically. There haven’t been more furlough days, but work is not extremely heavy.