Celestine Thomas
Summary
Detail-oriented Personnel Security Specialist with a systematic approach developed many years of related experience. Remarkable skills in research, investigations, and interviews. Excellent judgement with outstanding analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills. Desiring a permanent role with growth potential.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Personnel Security Specialist
System High Corporation
Arlington, VA
08.2021 - Current
- Supported personnel with all security requirements within Special Access Program Facilities (SAPF)
- Managed security training records, Personnel Security Questionnaires, and Visit Requests.
- Authorize physical security paperwork
- Completed site surveys and accreditation processes
- Resolved eligibility determinations relative to Navy Security Clearance standards
- Facilitated debriefings for personnel
- Verified classified information system documentation meets all regulatory standards
- Partner with Authorizing Official for maintaining current operational approval status
- Implemented risk management strategies to safeguard the program's integrity
- Oversaw issuance and control of Security Classification Guide for classified items or systems
- Implemented security protocols in coordination with contractors and government facilities
- Extensive familiarity with numerous DOD security references
- Reviewed personnel security clearances and access requests to ensure compliance with established regulations.
- Conducted background investigations on potential employees to verify information related to employment.
- Assessed security clearance eligibility for applicants, based on the results of background investigations.
Personnel Security Specialist
Protection Security Strategies - Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, DC
12.2019 - 07.2021
- Adjudicated results of security clearance investigations
- Knowledge of Insider Threat and various vulnerabilities related to theft, violence, manipulation, and various impacts that can result from these threats such as espionage, Fraud, Terrorist activity
- Maintain JPAS security database to assess requirements
- Monitor information to confirm compliance with FBI guidelines
- Formulated and delivered risk recommendations
- Managed JPAS system to assess access eligibility
- Proficient in implementing security procedures
- Determined investigation scope based on position's sensitivity, individual's background, and security clearance criteria
- Assess suitability and security eligibility for sensitive positions
- Assess cases upon initiation to ensure correct Top-Secret level designation
- Analyzed comprehensive documentation to make informed decisions regarding security clearances
- Processes data to maintain accurate tracking of PSS records.
- Creates detailed summaries
- Generates certificates for various positions according to investigation outcomes
- Facilitated adjudication of background investigations for government employment suitability and security clearances
- Reviewed personnel security clearances and access requests to ensure compliance with established regulations.
- Conducted background investigations on potential employees to verify information related to employment.
- Assessed security clearance eligibility for applicants, based on the results of background investigations.
Personnel Security Specialist (Adjudication)
GEM Technology - Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, DC
10.2016 - 12.2019
- Evaluated documents to determine access rights for various stakeholders
- Demonstrate compliance with Security Executive Agent Directives
- Verify adherence to adjudicative criteria during application evaluations
- Determine significance of data gathered through analysis
- Gather required details from the field for accurate decision-making
- Authored electronic communications detailing findings and recommendations
- Summarize case resolutions for leadership referencing relevant policies
- Determined eligibility for adjudication within specific timelines
- Addressed issues using specified mitigating conditions and considerations
- Handle diverse cases with various complexities, including foreign nexus and criminal activity
- Initiated investigations by assigning leads for field completion
- Execute searches within multiple government databases like NCIC, CJIS, CIS, and FINCEN
- Reviewed and analyzed complex cases to confirm eligibility
- Ensure compliance with investigative standards and legal protocols before case submission
- Ensured adjudicative decisions were aligned with established guidelines
- Ensured compliance through meticulous report assessments
- Manage case load and monitor progress via spreadsheets
- Managed logistics and scheduling for mentorship training within the SecD department
- Planned and facilitated mentor gatherings with structured agendas
- Oversaw scheduling for SecD Mentors
- Participated in quarterly evaluations for Amidon Bowden Elementary mentorship program
- Confer with Assistant Director regarding budget allocations
- Reviewed personnel security clearances and access requests to ensure compliance with established regulations.
- Conducted background investigations on potential employees to verify information related to employment.
- Assessed security clearance eligibility for applicants, based on the results of background investigations.
Personnel Security Specialist
Transportation Security Administration
Reston, VA
03.2015 - 06.2016
- Conducted background investigations for TSA Threat Assessment Program
- Analyzed information of applicants needing unescorted access to transportation infrastructure
- Submitted requests for supplementary tasks when necessary
- Evaluated cases using data from background investigations
- Adhered to standard operating procedures during investigations
- Generated and dispatched denial notifications to unqualified candidates
- Provided constructive feedback to Junior Security Specialists after thorough quality assurance
- Facilitated proficiency testing for Junior Security Specialists to ensure performance standards
- Obtained information from NCIC, IAFIS, SAVE VIS, ACRQ, LexisNexis and PACER databases
- Reviewed personnel security clearances and access requests to ensure compliance with established regulations.
- Conducted background investigations on potential employees to verify information related to employment.
- Assessed security clearance eligibility for applicants, based on the results of background investigations.
Personnel Security Specialist
Visionary Integration Personnel- Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, DC
06.2009 - 03.2015
- Executed comprehensive FBI background checks, involving initiation, investigation and adjudication
- Served as main contact for EQIP users filling out security questionnaires
- Conducted evaluations of background information for security assessments
- Performed analysis on database information to support investigations
- Utilized various databases including FBI Indices, Clearwater, and IDW
- Generated digital notices outlining determination results
- Risk mitigated leveraging appropriate information and adjudicative standards
- Effectively managed time to meet ODNI deadlines
- Facilitated clear communication with field office staff
- Managed the organization and security of filed cases in Security Division
- Utilized Sentinel effectively for case management
- Reviewed personnel security clearances and access requests to ensure compliance with established regulations.
- Conducted background investigations on potential employees to verify information related to employment.
- Assessed security clearance eligibility for applicants, based on the results of background investigations.
Personnel Security Specialist/Assistant
Keane Secure - Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, DC
09.2005 - 04.2009
- Delivered personnel security support to the FBI's Police Unit
- Streamlined communication processes for the management team
- Monitored employee activities to ensure task completion as agreed with management
- Managed documentation approving FBI police officers to carry firearms on aircraft
- Established and managed systems for organizing physical information
- Reviewed personnel security clearances and access requests to ensure compliance with established regulations.
- Conducted background investigations on potential employees to verify information related to employment.
- Assessed security clearance eligibility for applicants, based on the results of background investigations.
Education
MBA - Business Management
University of Maryland Global Campus
10.2024
Master's Degree - Business Administration
UMGC
01.2021
Bachelor's degree - Business Management/Communications
University of Phoenix
01.2013
Associate Degree - Mass Media Communications
University of Phoenix
01.2010
Skills
- Top Secret Clearance
- Information Security Awareness
- Solution-Focused
- Growth Mindset
- Collaborator/Team Player
- Self-Motivated
- Proficient Communication Abilities
- Organized
- Dynamic thinker
- Proficient in various Government applications and data bases
Training
- Security and Suitability Adjudicative Guidelines (SSAG) Course - 2008, 2014 & 2019
- Security Division Background Investigation and Adjudication Process Review Results Seminar
- Advanced Personnel Security and Suitability Adjudication
- Personnel Security and Suitability Adjudication
- Security Clearance Appeal Procedures Training
- Mitigating for Adjudication Training
- CI/CT Risk Assessment
- Security Intelligence and Threat Analysis Unit Training
- Introduction to the Intelligence Program
- Insider Threat
- Initial Clearance Section CD Series
- Introduction to Personnel Security & Exam - PS113.16
- JVS Short - EX101.16
- Cyber Awareness Challenge - DS-IA106.06
- Personally Identifiable Information - DS-IF101.06
Systems Training
- DCII, OPM, JPAS, DPRIS, Phoenix, CWR and Clearwater Training
- Case Activity and Tracking System
- Case Assignment and Retrieval Subsystem (CARS) Training
- Security Division Writing Essentials
- RMD Training
- NCIC Practitioner Training
- Information Security Awareness
- TECS
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Personnel Security Specialist
System High Corporation
08.2021 - Current
Personnel Security Specialist
Protection Security Strategies - Federal Bureau of Investigation
12.2019 - 07.2021
Personnel Security Specialist (Adjudication)
GEM Technology - Federal Bureau of Investigation
10.2016 - 12.2019
Personnel Security Specialist
Transportation Security Administration
03.2015 - 06.2016
Personnel Security Specialist
Visionary Integration Personnel- Federal Bureau of Investigation
06.2009 - 03.2015
Personnel Security Specialist/Assistant
Keane Secure - Federal Bureau of Investigation
09.2005 - 04.2009
MBA - Business Management
University of Maryland Global Campus
Master's Degree - Business Administration
UMGC
Bachelor's degree - Business Management/Communications
University of Phoenix
Associate Degree - Mass Media Communications
University of Phoenix
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