Nancy L. Shaffer
Kittanning,PA
Summary
Personnel Security and Adjudications professional with 20+ years of federal security experience supporting national security, suitability, credentialing, and background investigation programs. Proven expertise in security clearance adjudications, policy interpretation, agency liaison work, and customer engagement with federal partners. Experienced in training, program oversight, interagency coordination, and resolving complex or sensitive personnel security matters. Active Top Secret clearance.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Agency Liaison / Personnel Security Specialist
Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA)
Boyers, PA
10.2019 - Current
- Serve as primary liaison between DCSA and federal agencies supporting the Personnel Security, Suitability, Credentialing (SSC) and background investigation programs.
- Key Responsibilities
- Engage federal agencies and stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and increase transparency of DCSA operations.
- Provide expert guidance to agencies on personnel security policies, adjudication standards, and SSC program requirements.
- Monitor agency compliance with federal personnel security policies and recommend corrective actions when needed.
- Deliver training and briefings to federal customers on SSC processes, systems, and policy updates.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with agency leadership and program managers.
- Provide statistical reports and program metrics to help agencies manage personnel security programs.
- Support implementation and adoption of new investigative systems and products.
- Facilitate memoranda of understanding and other support agreements for investigative services.
- Communicate policy updates, process improvements, and investigative program changes to stakeholders.
- Collaborate with agencies on special initiatives involving development of new tools, processes, and security solutions.
Agency Liaison / Personnel Security Specialist
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) – National Background Investigations Bureau
Boyers, PA
08.2019 - 10.2019
- Performed the same liaison and personnel security duties prior to the transfer of the background investigation mission to DCSA in October 2019.
Senior Personnel Security Specialist
U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Boyers, PA
10.2005 - 08.2019
- Senior adjudicator supporting all aspects of OPM’s security program including personnel security, information security, physical security, emergency response, and continuity of operations.
- Key Responsibilities
- Reviewed background investigations and adjudicated cases to determine eligibility for security clearances and federal employment suitability.
- Granted, denied, suspended, revoked, and upgraded security clearances up to Top Secret.
- Evaluated derogatory investigative information to determine national security risk and suitability determinations.
- Prepared due process documentation including proposed action letters, final decisions, and requests for additional investigation.
- Coordinated access approvals for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Department of Energy (DOE) L and Q clearances.
- Managed visit access requests for domestic and international facility access.
- Conducted security briefings and training sessions for up to 60 investigators at a time in the Federal Background Investigators Training Program.
- Provided training and mentoring for newly hired personnel security specialists.
- Reviewed work completed by junior staff and performed post-audit quality reviews.
- Served as acting lead in the absence of the Branch Chief and handled sensitive personnel security matters.
- Collaborated with the Insider Threat Program and participated in COMSEC and Situation Room (SITROOM) exercises.
- Represented Personnel Security in interagency meetings and security program discussions.
- Developed the security denial process and drafted master templates for due process correspondence.
- Led initiatives involving foreign travel reporting and international temporary duty tracking for national security personnel.
- Assisted in establishing a contract physician program for cases involving medical or psychological adjudicative concerns.
- Reviewed contractor billing invoices and identified discrepancies before payment authorization.
Personnel Security Specialist
Department of the Navy Central Adjudication Facility
Washington, DC
08.2004 - 10.2005
- Reviewed investigative files and adjudicated national security clearance eligibility.
- Determined whether granting, denying, or revoking a clearance was in the best interest of national security.
- Provided written adjudicative justifications for all decisions.
- Managed due process procedures including Letters of Intent and Notification.
- Responded to inquiries from Commanding Officers, Security Managers, and Special Security Officers regarding case determinations.
Adjudicator
United States Investigations Services (USIS)
Boyers, PA
05.2002 - 08.2004
- Conducted background investigations through correspondence and phone interviews for OPM and other federal agencies.
- Analyzed investigative findings to determine suitability for federal employment and national security positions.
- Prepared written investigative case analyses and recommendations.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Administration of Justice, Psychology
The Pennsylvania State University
Clearance
- Active Top Secret Security Clearance
- U.S. Department of Defense
Timeline
Agency Liaison / Personnel Security Specialist
Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA)
10.2019 - Current
Agency Liaison / Personnel Security Specialist
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) – National Background Investigations Bureau
08.2019 - 10.2019
Senior Personnel Security Specialist
U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
10.2005 - 08.2019
Personnel Security Specialist
Department of the Navy Central Adjudication Facility
08.2004 - 10.2005
Adjudicator
United States Investigations Services (USIS)
05.2002 - 08.2004
Bachelor of Science - Administration of Justice, Psychology
The Pennsylvania State University