Jill L. Willis

Scope of Duties:

• Regional Coordinator (RC) and Assistant Regional Coordinator’s (ARC) unanimous decision to fill the role of Backup ARC; earning spot as #One out of eight original Area Coordinators (ACs).
• Since February 2023; served as Backup ARC during any period of absence by the ARC; this was most notable during initial two-month Department of Government Efficiency period in which Central Region’s ARC was out of office and employment status unknown.
• As Backup ARC, continues to oversee the daily operations and team workflow for Central Region while ensuring completion of work and continuity of performance.
• Directs in-depth research, analysis, and reporting to monitor the performance of the ACs assigned to Central Region.
• Manages daily usage and tasking of 200+ Special Investigators (SI) across numerous geographically dispersed locations.
• Supports the RC and the ARC in executing special projects, such as gathering, organizing, and analyzing complex data to develop solutions or alternative methods, documenting study findings and preparing actionable recommendations for system, procedural, or organizational changes.
• Lead rearrangement of ACs collaterals to enhance effective distribution to improve workflow and productivity between ACs.
• Collaborates with the Assignments team to develop innovative solutions to address specific challenges faced by Central Region; such as implementing a method to ensure a balance of lead counts to each AC during the extended Government shutdown procedures.
• Analyzes cases to determine the scope of the investigation required and prepares instructional guidance to the contract field investigators.
• Technical authority regarding the development and interpretation of personnel suitability and security guidelines, policies, and regulations.
• Leads others within the region to successfully evaluate security clearance access eligibility based on reports of background investigations and other legal documentation.
• Communicates with CMs and directs SIs while conducting adjudicative assessments, critically evaluating background information from multiple sources and reports.
• Monitored key performance indicators to identify areas for improvement and implement necessary changes.
• Trains SIs in techniques and skills for conducting subject interviews; analyzed training needs to develop new training programs or modify and improve existing programs.
• Directs the timely review of investigations and evaluates results for compliance with prescribed standards and criteria, ensuring sufficiency of coverage of complex and controversial investigation information.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate investigative reports of a complex nature.
• Interviews and makes recommendations for qualified job candidates to meet current and anticipated staffing needs.
• Performed administrative functions by running and analyzing daily reports.
• Reviews Presidential appointee cases, including adverse information which may have been developed by the investigation, and refers the case for concurrence.
• Coordinates with the Resource Management team to create, modify, and review purchase orders for investigators.

Scope of Duties:

• Perform background investigations for annual personnel security clearances in order to protect the safety and security of the Nation.
• Determined security clearance eligibility and pre-employment suitability.
• Served as the only investigator for Israel and Poland conducting all investigations for personnel in those countries including military, embassy and Department of State employees.
• Independently conducted background investigations of military, embassy and federal employees for the purpose of determining eligibility to receive a security clearance. Traveled as necessary, both CONUS and OCONUS, to conduct in-person face-to-face interviews and background checks. Used virtual meeting tools to perform pre-employment security interviews or background screens when travel was unavailable. Interviewed applicant subjects, former employers, associates, references and any other relevant individuals.
• Reviewed and analyzed detailed records including data on character, financial status and personal history. Searched multiple computer databases, gathered and reviewed credit reports, evaluated public records and other resources to locate persons or identify data necessary to conduct in-depth, thorough investigations. Reviewed records at various agencies such as law enforcement, court houses, mental health, financial and educational institutions.
• Compiled detailed, factual information in an organized, standardized reporting format. Wrote background investigative reports in the State Department’s remote unclassified server GO virtual and used RMS classified for submittal to Office of Personnel Management (OPM). These reports were used to determine security clearance eligibility and suitability for employment or continued employment.
• Quickly built rapport and gained the trust of interviewees in order to obtain detailed information and gain insight into background details. Handled personal and financial information with discretion and in compliance with HIPAA and Privacy Act regulations.

Scope of Duties:

• Greeted and checked guests into lodging, including VIP visitors.
• Answered incoming calls, resolved customer issues and made reservations.
• Compiled data and prepared daily lodging reports for use by executive management.
• Oversaw a team of six dining hall personnel.
• Supervised quality of food and customer service.
• Active Duty 2/1995 to 8/1998 and Inactive Reserve 8/1998 to 7/2002