Get a fed job in personnel security (PERSEC). Plenty of transferable skills from field grunt to the jobs with more authority and power.
2 Likes
Thanks for the input. I see some contract companies hiring personnel security specialists in my area. Not federal though. Do you know anything about salary? It also looks like it would be an office job and I would reeeeally hate to go back to an office…except maybe with some incentive $$$ 
I left the industry years ago when they started hiring everyone. People new this was coming, the backlog would shrink, procedures would change.
It’s funny I still get recruiters emailing me. CACI, SCIS. Some company called Next Level. Another bad thing. Too many hands in the cookie jar.
1 Like
Search for “personnel security specialist,” “security assistant” and the like on USA Jobs. Most start at $50-55k and go up from there. DHS-ICE has a good PERSEC program from what I’ve heard. You would office in DC or Dallas for that.
Most agencies have a PERSEC program as well, even the smaller ones like NASA and Treasury, even the National Park Service.
As for PERSEC jobs as a contractor, most contractors hire personnel in similar roles to federal personnel security to a support an agency’s PERSEC program.
1 Like
Agreed!!! Stop working past your 8 hours if you are NOT getting OT. If I work 10 hours hours for 2 days straight, I am only working 20 hours the rest of the week as required. I will not give them any free time from me. This job is already mentally and physically exhausting for many years I have been doing this. If I was given OT to get my case work done, I would gladly work OT. But I will not work off the clock.
2 Likes
I agree with you, but disagree with only one thing you mentioned. Us Contractors/Investigators DO care about National Security, I think you were referring to the Contractor companies themselves that don’t care about National Security correct? In addition, there maybe some overworking cases, but also Fed Reviewers reopen for the most ridiculous things that could be considered “overworking”. We can find fault on both sides.
2 Likes
I know contractors care about national security - that was a strawman argument to counter balance that federal investigators only care about their next pay raise.
Many companies lose sight of the reason - but I also personally know a couple of the “big guys” at two contracting companies who care deeply about their work and their investigators.
3 Likes
Learned today “low workload” problem now reason given why “customer” not wanting to extend ACDs. Huh? So I should be grateful for any work given me and now work even harder to meet ACDs? Playing us. Pathetic.
3 Likes
Dept of Labor investigator who was investigating CACI about 6 years ago (BI filed complaint about forced overworking) told me personally that of 22 area BIs, full timers, average amount of time worked off the clock was 11-17 hours! Am confident that is not unusual for many in industry to present. I was asked to be one of 22 she spoke to at time…No overworking here. And I paid the price. That’s why I went contract.
1 Like
That’s good to know. The “big guys” should talk to those they place in leadership at these companies. Because the leadership we Investigators deal with at our level are too worried about numbers than quality investigations. Thank you for your post. I believe federal investigators do care about National Security, so I agree.
I don’t work for CACI, although I know those that do. They had an all hands ConCall yesterday. No real info about future DCSA decisions on using contract companies. CACI still has 125 BI’s with no work. But there is plenty of work for many BI’s.
Any other updates would be greatly appreciated.
3 Likes
The CACI call was that they are supposedly cutting some fat. Meaning some management positions. Nothing about Investigator layoffs. Heard the Perspecta had layoffs too but not sure who or what.
Gotcha. Thank you. Perspecta is one of the companies I’m contracted with, but haven’t heard anything about any RIF’s. One of my managers has been away for some time now. Uncertain why.
Perspecta had some layoffs in the beginning of January, mostly more investigators
1 Like
Obviously you don’t live in California. With the passing of AB5 into law this month, the fate of independent contractors is unknown. Has been very frustrating to say the least.
Thanks for the advice! Since this post I have done a lot of searching and still very minimal options. Much appreciated thor.
I don’t know your age or story, but you seriously may have to pick up a ordinary job and go acquire another skill or get a cert in the mean time. I swear companies see that you had a “Government” type job and a clearance and get kind of worried since you left it not understanding it. When I left BI field, I jumped into I.T but it was at a low end and I had to work and get certs to advance.
2 Likes
Makes sense and I am already doing so (getting a Masters and working a safe job until more government opportunities open up). It took me a few weeks to get out of my feelings and understand that concept. thanks for the advice.
2 Likes
Former BI,
You did the right thing! I have a Master’s in the Cybersecurity field, working on my Security+ Cert. Certs are definitely required for most jobs that I can see. I know that i will have to start “low end” to get my foot in the door. Any suggestions? I am in the South
1 Like
If you get a level two cert, you are less likely to start at the low end. Atleast if you are in the DC metro area.
1 Like