Smithsonian Institute Clearance Question

SECURITY CLEARANCE Q&A
1

I’ve been tentatively accepted in a role with the Smithsonian Institute that requires low level security clearance. I have never had to have a security clearance for a job before. So, I am new. Should I be worried that I had a dismissed misdemeanor charge in 2019? Is this something I should mention in my OF 306 Declaration For Federal Employment Form?

The questions asked don’t seem to ask for it, but I had read somewhere on a job board several years ago that they had counseled someone to disclose it anyway, bc it would look bad if they didn’t. Thoughts? Experiences?

2

Are you sure this is for a security clearance and not some kind of Public Trust? I can’t imagine why the Smithsonian Institution would require access to classified info. I don’t think they’d even need a very high level of public trust.

At any rate, read the questions carefully. Usually they are interested in the original charge, not the final disposition. I think the fact that the charge was dismissed will go a long way toward mitigating any concerns.