How do I obtain "Security Clearance"?

[DPK]

What is security clearance in terms of a employment ad?

 

backround check, criminal history check...depending on how high the security clearence, they dig deeper and deeper into your past and interview everyone they think might have some information on you.

it also can cost a pretty penny

 

[DPK]

When they say security or secret clearance, sometimes they imply that you must already have it, but don't say much more. Now I have clearences to work at a school if a job offer came along, but not this secrete clearance stuff.

 

[StageLeft]

You're right - many do require that you already have it.

 

[amnesiac]

Depending on the level of security (confidential, secret, top secret), varying amounts of background information is checked.

Confidential generally requires verification of current ID, and basic background checking.

Top Secret requires a whole battery of interviews and investigation, often including interviewing several members of your friends and family, as well as most of your neighbors.

Chances are most jobs that require security clearance require "confidential" clearance and are civilian jobs on a military base or defense contractor.

Some employers will pay for getting you the clearance if you are qualified enough but often it is a prerequisite.

Here's some info:
http://www.taonline.com/securityclearances/

 

[puffpio]

You should apply anyways. A lot of gov't contractors will go through the clearance process for you if you don't have it already (i.e filling out all the forms and stuff.) I heard TS requires a lie detector test ! 🙂

 

[IamElectro]

This was an email the csee department sent me a couple of months back aboua a jod with the CIA and list how much they were going to look into my background had I applied.

Students: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
If interested, please e-mail me with your contact information by end of the
day, 10/24 for me to forward to Mr. Cava.

Prof. Hornak
---------------------------------------------------

An opportunity has arisen for one or two of our students to receive an
internship with the CIA. There is a great deal of flexibility in terms of
the CIA's requirements. The branch that is requesting these interns is led
by a WVU graduate from Nitro. He heads the group that investigates voice
excerpts to determine human ID. They are also beginning to mingle with
face.

He desires a graduate student in EE, CS, or even physics. He will take a
solid undergraduate. US citizenship is a must. Native born US is
preferable.

The selected candidate must undergo a very thorough background investigation
that will REQUIRE polygraph examinations. The student will be issued a very
high military security clearance, much similar to the one I hold. This
clearance is extremely valuable in terms of the person's marketability and
pretty much ensures them a lifetime of employment. It is very expensive and
time consuming on the Government's part to issue these clearances.
Therefore, these individuals become valuable commodities.

The terms of the internship are flexible. They may choose to work over the
summers, take semesters off from school and work full-time, etc. The
decision is up to WVU and the student as to schedule. They prefer the
student maintain full-time empoyment with the CIA upon graduation, but that
is not absolutely required.

I will contact and then meet with the students whose names you forward me in
order to assess their suitability for the CIA's needs. We will then narrow
down to two or three individuals. These individuals will need to apply
online with the CIA. They may go to the following website for more
information on the program:



Here is what I will be looking for:

Junior or Senior undergrad, preferably senior (though Masters student is
ultimate preference)
US citizen (US born preferred)
EE, CS or physics (ee or CS preferred)
DSP, biometrics and related subdisciplines preferred
Clean background (no arrests, drug problems, etc)



Samuel xxxxxxxx
Director, Forensic and Biometric Program Development
West Virginia University
xxxxx Chestnut Ridge Road
PO Box 6216
Morgantown, WV 26506-6216
(O) 304-xxxxxxx
(C) 304-xxxxxxx
FAX: 304-xxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxx@mail.wvu.edu