Heather Edenton
San Antonio
Summary
Experienced personnel security professional with a proven record of supporting Department of Defense security operations across large, complex organizations. Demonstrated ability to lead and support teams, conduct suitability and fitness adjudication determinations, and manage high-volume personnel and information security programs impacting thousands of military, civilian, and contractor personnel. Skilled in personnel security investigations, clearance processing, training development, and compliance oversight, with extensive experience coordinating with senior leaders, installation points of contact, and external agencies to ensure mission readiness and adherence to federal and DoD security standards.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Personnel Security Specialist
Defense Health Agency
06.2023 - Current
- Reviews and analyzes Personnel Security Questionnaires (SF-85) and supporting records to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with federal security standards.
- Performs suitability and fitness adjudicative determinations in accordance with 5 CFR 731 adjudicative guidelines to determine eligibility for federal employment.
- Serves as a resource to team members by responding to questions and providing guidance on personnel security processes, procedures, and agency policies.
- Delivers training to new employees and staff on security clearance requirements, background investigation processes, and suitability adjudications.
- Oversees and verifies completion of processing, tracking, and documentation of all completed background investigations for all civilian and contract employees to and from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA).
- Operated as one of the primary personnel responsible for Installation Records Checks (IRC) for Childcare Background Investigations, coordinating records requests with installation POCs, and timely processing of results to appropriate files in compliance with Department of Defense and agency requirements.
Crisis Text Specialist
Vialink
08.2021 - 06.2023
- Provided suicide intervention and prevention to all callers who are a part of the at-risk population.
- Applied resources and referrals to aid callers seeking mental health and substance abuse assistance.
- Assessed clients in accordance with policy and procedures.
- Utilized Google Workspace.
- Validates and ensures that all clients are safe and emotionally supported.
- Key Responsibilities:
Crisis Text Specialist
Crisis Text Line
04.2020 - 08.2021
- Provided crisis counseling and suicide intervention to callers who were experiencing an emotional crisis.
- Managed interactions with clients to ensure an appropriate level of support was provided.
- Consistently obtain and record interactions with clients to ensure accurate call reports.
- Key Responsibilities:
Supervisor
Support Services Group
02.2021 - 07.2021
- Identified operational issues affecting team performance and provided ongoing guidance and support to ensure effective resolution and mission continuity.
- Trained and mentored team members to enhance performance and productivity.
- Developed and maintained effective working relationships with employees at all organizational levels to support collaboration and operational effectiveness.
- Managed and supervised a team of 30 professionals, conducting regular one-on-one meetings to monitor performance, address concerns, and support professional development.
- Oversaw a document validation project involving 20 personnel, monitoring productivity, quality, and adherence to established standards and timelines.
All-Source Military Intelligence Analyst and Security Specialist
U.S Army
08.2015 - 11.2018
- Processed personnel security actions for unit personnel by determining position sensitivity, classification, and clearance requirements in support of mission performance, utilizing JPAS.
- Initiated, tracked, and managed National Security Investigations and associated security access determinations to ensure timely and compliant processing.
- Designed and delivered training activities to units on personnel security policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
- Reviewed Personnel Security Questionnaires (SF86) and other records to ensure they were accurate and complete.
- Administered fingerprinting processes for candidates in accordance with federal personnel security and identity verification requirements.
- Assisted in the successful accreditation of a Secure Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) project through the Defense Intelligence Agency and received commendable ratings for security programs maintained at the organizational level.
- Developed and delivered intelligence briefings and presentations for multiple senior-level leaders to support operational decision-making.
- Trained and supervised four All-Source Intelligence analysts in the production and execution of all-source intelligence operations.
- Established and conducted foreign travel briefings, ensuring personnel accountability and compliance with security requirements during overseas travel and deployments.
- Managed Personnel Security project requirements for more than 500 stateside and deployed personnel, ensuring compliance with national security and agency standards.
Education
General Studies Associates - undefined
Central Texas College
05.2022
Bachelors - Psychology
Texas A&M
05.2024
Timeline
Personnel Security Specialist
Defense Health Agency
06.2023 - Current
Crisis Text Specialist
Vialink
08.2021 - 06.2023
Supervisor
Support Services Group
02.2021 - 07.2021
Crisis Text Specialist
Crisis Text Line
04.2020 - 08.2021
All-Source Military Intelligence Analyst and Security Specialist
U.S Army
08.2015 - 11.2018
General Studies Associates - undefined
Central Texas College
Bachelors - Psychology
Texas A&M