Congrats! You have been offered a job as a background investigator for security clearances. After signing a contingent offer, you are required to go through the security clearance process yourself and undergo New Investigator Training (NIT).
What exactly does this entail? One ClearanceJobsBlog subscriber was curious:
I accepted a job offer for a DCSA contract holder and I should hopefully be getting my clearance soon! I’m new to the industry and wanted to see what New Investigator Training (NIT) entail, what to expect, how are exams, assignment, etc. For my contract company, they do 5 weeks classroom and 2 weeks actually working cases with a mentor. Just wanted to see if anyone could offer any insight!
Training is a critical part of becoming a background investigator. In addition to classroom instruction, there will be role playing and shadowing opportunities to see what day to day life is like.
The agency or company that offered you the position will schedule the National Training Standards (NTS) course for Investigators, also called NIT. To attend training, you’ll need a job offer and a clearance, and the course typically lasts 6 to 8 weeks. Attendees can expect some classroom (in person and virtual) exercises, shadowing other investigators, and participating in ride along training. Some organizations might pay you for this training, as well.
OTHER REQUIRED BACKGROUND INVESTIGATOR TRAINING
- The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) offers training for new federal background investigators through the Federal Background Investigator Training Program (FBITP) and Investigative Systems Training, which happens in person at the DCSA National Training Center in Slippery Rock, PA. Training includes lectures, discussions, role-play, activities, review exercises, and assessments.
- Investigative Systems Training: Virtual classes that teach systems used for background investigations (Available through the DCSA Communications and Customer Service, System Liaison).
- Other coursework includes NBIS training materials, security training through the Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE) and the National Center for Credibility Assessment (NCCA).
- All of this training prepares investigators to conduct effective background investigations.
Much about the clearance process resembles the Pirate’s Code: “more what you’d call guidelines than actual rules.” This case-by-case system is meant to consider the whole person, increase process security, and allow the lowest-risk/highest-need candidates to complete the process. This article is intended as general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. Consult an attorney regarding your specific situation.
