Security Information
Resume:
Lynn Chiem
***** **** **** ******* ************ VA 22551
571-***-**** ********@*****.***
I am a enthusiastic, seasoned, dedicated and hard working trilingual professional with over six years of experience as a Personnel Security Specialist with an active a TOP SECRET SECURITY CLEARANCE with the United States Department of State.
I possess superior technical and analytical skills I work on complex administrative investigational information in order to determine security clearance suitability and eligibility.
I have expertise in operating government computer systems to verify security clearance eligibility and determine the scope of an investigation. I also recommend further investigations, when warranted, in order to resolve conflicting information submitted by the applicant.
I have extensive knowledge regarding security regulations, procedures, and policies pertaining to personnel security that may impact a person’s ability to hold a security clearance with government agencies.
I perform all personnel security tasks in accordance with the Office of Personnel Security and Suitability’s standard operating procedures and I apply adjudicative guidelines prescribed by federal statutes and standards.
With my exceptional experience with the State Department, I have the ability as well as the capacity to meet varying deadlines while multi-tasking various projects. I am an expert in conducting investigations and interviews to garner information from all available sources in order to produce reports of the highest quality.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
U.S Department of State December 2014 - Present
Personnel Security and Suitability
Contractor-APS-ARTI Joint Venture
Security Assistants (Record Team) – Full Time
I have trained and worked in every section in the U.S. Department of State, Bureal of Diplomatic Security Office of Personnel Security and Suitability (DS/PSS). I am considered a trustworthy productive member of the workforce and have an outstanding working relationship with subordinates, colleagues, and supervisors in achieving the Department’s goals and objectives in a frequently changing work environment. I exceeded 100% of my Electronic Official Personnel File (EOPF) processing target during 2014-2016 rating period. I demonstrated superior analytical ability and judgment in analyzing and evaluating reports of investigations and security packages that sometimes contained conflicting information or evidence. This was acknowledged by receiving an “Outstanding” rating on my Employee Evaluation Review. I identified the issue of duplications in the investigation reports writing process. I eliminated three steps that allowed the time to complete the report to be reduced from 15 minutes to 6 minutes total. This allowed me to complete more than 30 per cases a day as compared to 12 to 15 cases per day. We process approximate 5000 record checks yearly. By eliminating the paper step, I increased the production step and decreased the production costs and this created a net savings for our departmental budget. My main tasks and skills include the following
•I process incoming security clearance applications by reviewing SF85, SF85P & SF86 Forms (EQIP), employment applications, investigative questionnaires, affidavits, credit report police reports for completeness and accuracy. I identifying discrepancies, inconsistencies, and areas which potentially require clarification or additional investigation.
•I analyze new and amended legislation and assists in drafting the regulation security functional program.
•I serve on teams and perform tasks that interface with Federal, Military, State, Civilian, and RSO.
•I assistance in drafting and reviewing security plans, policies, processes and physical, industrial, personnel and information security.
•I have the ability to analyze information to determine suitability, security clearance eligibility, special access program eligibility, and/or determine the scope of an investigation.
•I have the ability to recommend further investigations, when warranted, to resolve conflicting information.
•I have the ability to serve as a liaison on security clearance related matters. This task is performed by contacting other units within the office of Personnel Security and Suitability.
•I have knowledge of applicable statutes and authorities pertaining to Personnel Security.
•I analyze personal history information contained in personnel security requests.
•I have experience with the Report Management System (RMS), Fingerprint Identification Numbers (FINS), the Case Management System (CMS), and using the Employee Official Personnel File (EOPF) to extrapolate and synthesize data to process incoming employee background investigations for security clearances. Data entry via CMS, E-QIP, and RMS specific to individual security clearance level.
•I report the weekly intake statistics of DS/SI/PSS to the Operations Supervisor.
•I run multi-level background checks via local/national/international databases (NCIC/DCII/INS/Credit Checks).
•I apply appropriate standards, and guidelines using specific criteria to process case file actions.
•I have experience analyzing information to determine suitability and eligibility for the position.
•I have experience recommending further investigations and adjudication when there is conflicting information submitted.
•I developed security package requirements for Foreign National Cohabitants and Members of Household (MOH) cases as directed by Foreign Affairs Manual 275.
•I frequent interaction with ICE, OPM, and the NSA (DOD) regarding open and overdue investigations and the status of those investigations.
U.S. Department of State July 2013 – November 2014
Personnel Security and Suitability
Contractor-APS-ARTI Joint Venture
Security Specialist - Investigations Team 1(INV1) – Full Time
While in this position, I served as a Personnel Security Specialist responsible for certifying the sufficiency of initial pre-employment investigations conducted for the purpose of determining suitability and security clearance eligibility. This work was included of Presidential Appointees Foreign/Civil Service and Wage Grade applicants, contractors, periodic update "for cause" investigations of employees, post-employment special access program eligibility, and all overseas investigations conducted for other agencies. I routinely analyzed information by applying national adjudicative criteria and granted interim security clearances, public trusts certifications, and final security clearances. I analyzed cases to determine the scope of investigation required, the potential issues requiring investigative clarification, and I prepared instructional guidance to background investigation coordinators. My main tasks and skills included the following:
•I developed Case Management training manual for reading and understanding all of the results developed from the initial Records Unit pre-employment NAC’s.
•I developed security package requirements for Foreign National Cohabitants and Member of Household (MOH) cases, as directed by 12 Foreign Affairs Manual 275.
•I have frequently interacted with ICE, OPM, and the NSA (DOD) regarding open and overdue investigations and their status.
•I analyzed information by applying national adjudicative criteria and granting interim security clearances, public trusts certifications, and final security clearances.
•I analyzed cases to determine the scope of investigation which is required, potential issues requiring investigative clarification, and prepare instructional guidance to background investigation coordinators.
•I applied appropriate standards and criteria, national level guidelines, and administrative precedents, and expert judgment in recommending actions necessary to ensure investigative sufficiency and sound adjudicative conclusions.
•I have knowledge of and experience with, personnel security and suitability adjudication.
•I planned and organized work, communicated effectively in writing, work effectively with others, and I have full knowledge of applicable statues and authorities related to the personnel security field.
•I assigned cases in the Case Management System (CMS) and Report Management System (RMS) to Case Managers (CM) in the Investigations Division – Unit 1.
•I analyze cases in accordance with Executive Orders 12968 and 10450, utilizing ICD 704 requirements to determine the scope of investigation required.
•I identified potential issues requiring investigative clarification and I prepared instructional guidance to CMS for additional investigation.
•I closed completed cases in both CMS and RMS, and I updated current and create new clearance records in CMS for both Department employees and contractors.
•I sent DS Security Clearance Notifications for both GS and contract applicants to internal offices of the Department of State requestors.
•I compiled and monitored monthly requested Internal Revenue Service reports into an excel spreadsheet to be sent out to the IRS for updates and verification. I reviewed, managed, and sent electronic mail (e-mail) of completed reports of investigations (ROI) to requestors of various federal agencies.
U.S Department of State
Personnel Security and Suitability March 2010 – June 2013
Contractor-APS-ARTI Joint Venture
Security Assistant (Intake Team) – Full Time
As a team member for the Intake team in the PSS Operations Branch, I was responsible for coordinating a thorough training program that ensured all personnel were familiar with and able to execute the required security standards of PSS, as outlined in Executive Order 12968. I was expected to refine process related issues including highlighting program weaknesses, and helping to prepare recommendations for corrective action as appropriate. During my time as a Personnel Security Specialist, I opened a total of 25,685 background investigation cases. I was the most productive member of the intake team, had the highest number of processed cases and executed investigations before every deadline. During my time as a Security Administrator I was integrated into the Periodic Reinvestigations unit. The primary focus of the Periodic Reinvestigations Unit is to ensure that the security clearances of all current DOS employees are up to date, per the standards set forth in Executive Order 12968. My main tasks and skills included the following:
•I assisted team leads in reviewing and adjudicating cases at Level I. I ensured all leads were completed and cases were scoped to the fullest extent necessary. This resulted in investigative standard, returned to the CM for additional coverage, or the case being forwarded to Adjudications for Level II coverage.
•I reviewed, managed, and sent electronic mail (e-mail) of completed reports of investigations (ROI) to requestors of various federal agencies.
•I reviewed weekly Investigative Division and Case Managers performance statistics.
•I processed incoming Presidential/Military/Civilian/Contract security clearance applications, including reviewing and validating information.
•I reviewed questionnaires for personnel security eligibility through the electronic e-QIP.
•I analyzed personal history information contained in personnel security requests.
•I reviewed and analyzed security investigations, and submitted detailed requests to reopen investigations.
•I notified OPM of the status of applications.
•I navigated and facilitated automated data processing systems, software packages, and programs.
•I ensured all security packages were entered into our system within one business day of delivery.
•I performed data entry using CMS, e-QIP, and RMS.
•I have experience with the case application management docketing system.
•I managed the DS/SI/PSS Intake monthly mail run calendar.
•I trained new team members on how to process the courier mail and process cases.
•I reported weekly Intake statistics to the DS/SI/PSS Operations Chief.
•I have knowledge of computer operating systems - Internet Explorer 7, Microsoft Office Suite, and SharePoint.
EDUCATION:
Toast Master
State Department SA-5, Washington, DC (March 2016-present)
Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA (1996-2000)
Bachelor in Fine Arts (Communication Arts) with a 3.4 GPA.
LANGUAGES:
I am trilingual (verbal and written) in Chinese (Cantonese), Vietnamese, and English
SPECIAL SKILLS:
Interpretation/translating for Prince William County Public Schools (English as a Second Language)
TRAINING
•Toast Master (leadership in public speaking program), March 2016
•Introduction to DOD HSPD-12 CAC Credentialing Course, May 2016
•Identifying and Safeguarding Personally Identifiable Information (PII), September 2015
•Introduction to National Security Adjudications, August 2015
•Introduction to Information Security Management Course, August 2015
•Cyber Security Awareness Course, July 2015
•Classification Conflicts and Evaluations Course, July 2015
•Annual Counter Intelligence and Insider Threat Awareness Course, July 2015
•Introduction to DOD Personnel Security Adjudication, July 2015
•Introduction to Suitability Adjudication Course, July 2015
•Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Course, October, 2012
•Introduction to Risk Management Course, September 2012
•Insider Threat Course, September 2012
•Security Management Course, September 2012
REFERENCES: Provided Upon Request
Contact this candidate