Most positions at Westech International, Inc. require a security clearance. Employment may be contingent upon your ability to successfully obtain and maintain an active security clearance.
What is a security clearance?
A security clearance is a status granted by agencies of the United States Government that determines a person’s ability to access and view documents of national security. A security clearance investigation is an inquiry into an individual’s loyalty, character, trustworthiness, and reliability to ensure that they are eligible for access to national security information. The investigation focuses on an individual’s character and conduct, emphasizing such factors as honesty, trustworthiness, reliability, financial responsibility, criminal activity, emotional stability, and other similar and pertinent areas. All investigations consist of checks of national records and credit checks; some investigations also include interviews with individuals who know the candidate for the clearance as well as the candidate himself/herself.
What is a Personnel Security Investigation (PSI)?
A PSI is an inquiry into an individual's loyalty, character, trustworthiness, and reliability to ensure that he or she is eligible to access classified information or for an appointment to a sensitive position or position of trust. Who conducts security clearance background investigations?
Security Clearance Background Investigations for the Department of Defense (DOD) are conducted by the Defense Security Service (DSS). This includes background investigations for military personnel, civilian personnel who work for DOD, and military contractors. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) conducts Security Clearance Investigations for most other branches of the Federal Government. Who decides whether a security clearance or access to a sensitive position is granted?
An adjudicator, who is employed by one of the DOD Central Adjudication Facilities (CAFs), reviews the results of a PSI and compares it to established qualifying criteria for granting access to classified information or for an appointment to a sensitive position or position of trust.
What is an interim security clearance?
An interim security clearance is one that is issued quickly to an individual for use at a specific job. Unlike regular clearances, interim clearances expire immediately after the individuals leave the job that required the clearance. Interim security clearances are generally of a low level and can be given within 30 days of inquiry. An interim is issued once a review of the application is completed and the candidate is determined eligible. An interim clearance allows a person to have access to collateral classified information (at the level requested without a caveat) whiles his or her final clearance is being processed. Interim Secrets are issued automatically and can be denied. A denial, however, does not mean that a final will not be issued. It means there is something on the application which must be first reviewed and investigated fully. Interim Top Secret clearances must be requested by the government customer contractor. An Interim Top Secret is equal to a final Secret.
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