The ClearanceJobsBlog discussion forum is an excellent resource for anyone interested, or currently going through the security clearance process or hoping to obtain a job in national security.
While Top Secret clearances are the cream of the crop, Public Trust positions are still held to a higher standard of reliability with information.
One subscriber was worried about his criminal mischief tendencies when applying for a position of public trust:
“I have just passed the interim public trust clearance with moderate risk and it is being adjudicated. I had no criminal history up until three days ago when I was arrested under 14510/CRIM MISCHIEF. The attorney at the court said that the charge will most likely be lowered to a misdemeanor (can be sealed after six months) or best-case scenario, a violation. I was released the next day and asked to appear in court in June. My questions are:
I have just started my job, and I have indicated my arrest (without conviction) on one of the forms I had to fill out on the first day of my job. Do I have to officially report the arrest to the security office? Since I still need to show up in court and I have not been convicted, will the arrest affect my clearance thus my job? How will the court decision affect my clearance, in terms of class D Felony, misdemeanor, and Violation? This job is very important to me. I’m a very dedicated individual. The arrest was domestic dispute related and no one was injured. What can I do at this point to salvage the situation?”
To report, or not to report: that is the question:
Marko Hakamaa, moderator on the ClearanceJobsBlog, notes “It’s a no brainer: Report this to your Agency Security Officer.” He also reiterates that, “they may have self-reporting requirements as it is, but what happens in four and a half years with your reinvestigation and this information pops up?”
The safest bet is to swallow the pill now as opposed to suffering the consequences later. Be honest, as self-reporting can be seen as mitigation. Marko says, “One misdemeanor charge that is still pending should not prevent you from being found suitable.”
SELF-REPORTING SECURITY VIOLATIONS
You would think that self-reporting would be a key piece of information told to security clearance holders through the application process for cleared roles. But with providing self-reporting guidance left to Facility Security Officers (FSOs) and security officers, applicants are left with a diverse range of guidance as to what they need to self report, if they get it at all.
Employees working in national security who have access to classified information are expected to self-report incidents that could affect their eligibility to hold a security clearance. Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD) 4 helps you determine if your circumstances might result in a need to self-report. Self-reporting is a binding piece of the security clearance contract, but is also a question of personal integrity.
Even if you don’t hold a clearance yourself or work on administrative/overhead staff, your agency or contractor could still require you to report issues to your security office.
Here are a few life events where self-reporting could be an expectation of your security office. Parts of the workforce that are cleared for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) or other Special Access Programs (SAPs) could have additional requirements:
- Change in Personal Status- Marital status or cohabitation
- Foreign Travel– Security briefings for foreign travel
- Foreign Contacts– Contact with individuals of any foreign nationality
- Loss or Compromise of Information– Loss or compromise of classified information
- Financial Problems– Filing for bankruptcy, garnishment of wages, etc.
- Arrests– Any arrest, no matter if charges were filed or other involvement with the legal system
- Psychological or Substance Abuse Counseling
if you’re wondering – WHAT EXACTLY IS PUBLIC TRUST?
There is no such thing as a ‘public trust clearance.’ Adjudicators are evaluating if you are suitable for the position. While some government jobs in the intelligence community or department of defense do not require a clearance, certain confidential roles in national security demand responsible employees who keep the public’s interest at the forefront. These jobs are defined as Public Trust positions.
Federal agencies designate risk for government and contracting positions, whether they are sensitive or non-sensitive. These risks indicate national security concerns involving classified information or issues that are determined to be unclassified. For public trust designated positions, security clearance applicants fill out the SF 85P Questionnaire.
