Can a government organization, i.e. NAVSEA, NAVAIR, us the SF86 as a prescreening tool for determining employment eligibility? If not, what are my options if I feel I have enough documentation to suggest, with minimal doubt, that the SF86 was used for prescreening instead of being used to attain/reactivate a security clearance?
Background:
I have had a clearance for 23 of the last 26 years. Secret since late 90’s and TS/SCI prior to that. Clean record and credit score over 800(as of this writing) but unemployed, recently divorced with about $5,000 in debt (no missed bills). My last SF86 was in 2010 but clearance has been inactive since mid 2014. Still in JPAS under the ownership of DOD contractor that I worked for since the mid 90’s.
I recently received a written tentative offer for a high visibility civil service position of national importance for which I am uniquely qualified. I am prior military but never civil service. This job was not listed on USAJOBS, though, in the paper work provided, the position was marked as “Competitive Service”. I was given a USAJOBS Onboarding account and completed all assigned paperwork, the last being an updated SF86. Keep in mind up to this point I have been speaking with the Division head on a weekly basis, for many months, and they were pushing the process as fast as they could, even received a verbal tentative start date.
At first I questioned the updated SF86 request indicating that my clearance was inactive in JPAS but I completed, via e-QIP, anyway so as not to cause a delay. Once my paperwork was completed (about 1 day) things fell silent. 1 week after completing the paperwork I emailed HR asking if they were able to meet the tentative start date, 15 days away. They replied that my paperwork has not been completed/certified. Several days later I received an email from HR, without explanation, indicating that management had rescinded the tentative offer. I sent an email to the Division head asking if we could discuss and address managements concerns. I was told managements decision was final. I sent an email to the Division head and HR asking if the information used to make a decision would affect my clearance or other government employment opportunities. They never replied. I have asked several contacts what happened and have been told, “No one is talking”. It may take several months to find a replacement and the learning curve is significant.
On my SF86 I included detailed information about the following : While my Secret clearance was inactive I smoked pot for 3 months, almost 2 years prior, due to nerve pain caused by lower back issues while waiting for my doctor to figure out what was wrong with me. I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, given medication to address the nerve pain and ceased smoking pot.
I have two thoughts; 1st, due to the significance and visibility of the position they decided the information in the SF86 could be looked down upon if said information became public, or, they were concerned my medical condition would affect my job performance. The job has some physical requirements as well as being constantly in motion.
From what I have read, the pot smoking should not affect my ability to reactivate my clearance. I have not heard from any of my references that, “hey, someone from the government called asking about you”, nor has any one done a soft inquiry on my credit.
Thoughts?
