Federal Security Clearance Appeals Lawyer

Only federal employees appointed to positions that require security clearance can actually obtain it. If you have a job that requires security clearance, your employer will let you know and usher you through the process of obtaining your clearance.

What Federal Jobs Need Security Clearance?

Now that you understand how to get a security clearance, it may also help to know what positions require such clearances. Federal jobs often require security clearance due to the sensitive nature of the information involved. These positions may involve national security, law enforcement, intelligence, or other sectors where confidentiality and trust are of paramount importance. To safeguard against potential threats, these roles necessitate thorough background checks and rigorous scrutiny to ensure that the individuals in these positions are trustworthy and reliable.

List of Federal Jobs That Often Require Security Clearance:

• Intelligence Analyst: These professionals analyze, interpret, and report on information affecting national security.
• Foreign Service Officer: These individuals represent the U.S. abroad, often in embassies or consulates, and therefore require clearance.
• Nuclear Engineer: Given the sensitive nature of their work, nuclear engineers often require high levels of clearance.
• Federal Law Enforcement Officer: Officers in agencies such as the FBI or DEA handle confidential information and thus require clearance.
• Information Technology Specialist: These experts handle cyber security and information systems within federal agencies, often necessitating clearance.
• Defense Contractor: Private sector professionals who work on defense-related projects often need security clearance due to the sensitive nature of their work.
• Military Personnel: Many roles within the armed forces, particularly those related to intelligence, require clearance.
• Homeland Security Officer: Given their involvement in protecting national security, these officers require clearances to handle sensitive information.

For these and many other federal positions, having a security clearance demonstrates an individual's ability to handle classified information with integrity and discretion. If your clearance is at risk, a security clearance attorney can offer essential assistance to protect your career.

What Are the Different Tiers of Security Clearance?

Originally, there were five tiers of security clearance that federal employees could obtain. However, the Trusted Workforce 2.0 program overhauled security clearances and consolidated the first and second tiers, as well as the third and fourth tiers. As a result, federal employees now only have three tiers of security clearance to worry about.

The tiers cover the following factors:

• Tier one security clearances are for low-risk, non-sensitive federal jobs or moderate-risk public trust positions.
• Tier two security clearances are for non-critical sensitive national security positions (this includes the common "L" class security clearance) and high-risk public trust jobs.
• Tier three clearances are for critically sensitive and special sensitive national security positions, such as those with "Top Secret," "SCI," or "Q" level clearance requirements.

The process for obtaining the security clearance itself varies significantly depending on the tier of clearance the applicant wishes to obtain.

Once you obtain your clearance, you will also be subject to periodic reinvestigations and continuous vetting. If you fail to pass one of the continuous vetting procedures or an investigation into your behavior reveals some sort of wrongdoing, your security clearance may be revoked.

Like security clearance denials, it may be possible for federal employees to appeal security clearance revocations depending on the circumstances of the case and their job requirements.

Everything from traffic tickets, debt, and even personal matters such as gambling addiction can play into the government's decision to deny, suspend, or revoke a security clearance. In today's heightened security climate, it is not unusual for the government to scrutinize your background and affiliations in great detail.

If your application has been denied or your clearance has been suspended or revoked, we can help you navigate the appeals process and advocate on your behalf. Our skilled security clearance lawyers can identify mitigating factors and present a compelling case that can prove your security clearance eligibility.