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How to hire a personnel security assistant

Personnel security assistant hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring personnel security assistants in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a personnel security assistant is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new personnel security assistant to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a personnel security assistant, step by step

To hire a personnel security assistant, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a personnel security assistant:

Here's a step-by-step personnel security assistant hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a personnel security assistant job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new personnel security assistant
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a personnel security assistant, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a personnel security assistant to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a personnel security assistant that fits the bill.

    The following list breaks down different types of personnel security assistants and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Personnel Security AssistantDescriptionHourly rate
    Personnel Security AssistantInformation clerks perform routine clerical duties such as maintaining records, collecting data, and providing information to customers.$10-24
    Human Resources TrainerHuman Resources Trainers are responsible for providing and facilitating training for employees in an organization's specific job area. They are involved in identifying the company's training needs, conducting employee training programs, producing learning materials, organizing presentations and meetings, assisting employees in the skills improvement process, and arranging lectures, seminars, and workshops... Show more$12-25
    Human Resources ClerkA human resources clerk's role focuses on assisting in the hiring process within a company or organization. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around posting hiring notices on various platforms, handling job applications, arranging schedules and appointments for interviews, verifying requirements, and responding to calls and inquiries... Show more$12-21
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Pips
    • Data Entry
    • JPAS
    • Security Clearance
    • OPM
    • Adjudication System
    • National Security
    • Office Procedures
    • Patrol
    • DOD
    • Management System
    • Electronic Questionnaires
    • Background Checks
    • Government Agencies
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage multiple security programs and systems in accordance with NISPOM, DCID, M1 and JAFAN guidance.
    • Prepare and transmit review personnel security packages to appropriate investigative agencies such as OPM and/or DHS headquarters.
    • Assist in performance of security checks with NADDIS, NCIC & NLET.
    • Respond to all subpoenas serve by legal offices for public records requests.
    • Consolidate and update the records and security's management database system using JPAS software.
    • Verify clearance information and access for work through JPAS system for employment of US/foreign contracts stateside and overseas.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your personnel security assistant job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A personnel security assistant salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, personnel security assistants' average salary in south carolina is 46% less than in new jersey.
    • Seniority. Entry-level personnel security assistants earn 56% less than senior-level personnel security assistants.
    • Certifications. A personnel security assistant with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a personnel security assistant's salary.

    Average personnel security assistant salary

    $16.06hourly

    $33,406 yearly

    Entry-level personnel security assistant salary
    $22,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 14, 2025
  4. Writing a personnel security assistant job description

    A job description for a personnel security assistant role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a personnel security assistant job description:

    Personnel security assistant job description example

    Current and valid TS clearance or SSBI/T5 level investigation


    Responsibilities include:

      • Complete Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) Initiation Process
      • Perform a comprehensive review of the e-QIP/Background package investigative forms, in accordance with OPM guidelines (available on request in the reading room) for the SF/85P/SF86, for errors, missing information or signatures, gaps in coverage, etc., to include completeness and accuracy
      • Retrieve cases to work from the agency e-QIP Virtual Queue and performs a second review of the e-QIP package and investigative forms
      • Access e-QIPs submitted by the Hiring Centers to process the request and confirm the receipt of all required attachments/background investigation supplemental documents
        • Scans all the signed/dated releases, submitted via facsimile, and attaches them to the e-QIP.
        • Processes all incoming FP charts
        • Performs a comprehensive review of the e-QIP/BI package investigative forms, in accordance with OPM’s guidelines for the SF85P/SF86, for errors, missing information or signatures, gaps in coverage, etc.
        • Rejects the e-QIP/BI packages back to the Hiring Centers to address any deficiencies or discrepancies, which fail to meet OPM requirements or preclude the ability to initiate the investigative process
        • Approves the e-QIP request and releases it to the Investigative Service Provider (ISP), OPM, for scheduling of the NAC
        • Perform both Cornerstone (electronic)/manual preliminary vetting checks, if applicable
        • Order prior Suitability/Security investigations for OPM or the Internal Records Management Branch, which will be used as the basis for reciprocal acceptance, upgrading or updating an investigation
        • Creates the Person/Position Record and scans and/or attaches required documents to a web-based management system used to maintain personnel security records (suitability, security, clearance investigations, etc.)
        • Ensure all documents saved to the agency’s record at the appropriate case level, under the correct category and have the proper description name
        • Prepares various spreadsheets of data, utilizing the Microsoft Excel program
        • Processes Incoming ROIs, NACs, and Electronic File Requests (EFR) from a manifest received from the ISP, by logging the receipt dates into ISMS and updating the system to reflect the appropriate case work status
        • Contact the Hiring Centers and/or subject’s, via email or telephone to obtain additional information required that will preclude the case from having to be reinitiated
      • Security Clearance Processing/Polygraph Result Processing - process all Security Clearance Requests Agency Form 6100 that are received
      • Receive and distribute Threat Mitigation and Analysis Division (TMAD) Reports
      • Runs ISMS reports on a monthly basis and sends e-mails to appropriate adjudicator to follow-up, if necessary
      • Support Services - Assist the Reports Staff verifying data in tables, records, etc., by using agency specific databases
        • Enter data into various agency databases used by agency’s file room
        • Assist the BI COR team by addressing specific questions relating to BI (missing documents, confirming receipt, etc.). Also respond to inquiries regarding status of outgoing investigations
        • Ensures that the New Scheduled Case Tracking Sheet is running successfully and updating correctly and reports any irregularities appropriately


    Education/Experience:

    • Must have a High School diploma or equivalent

    • Have at least three (3) years of general experience and one (1) year of specialized experience. General experience is experience gained in an office setting. Specialized experience is experience in reviewing and scheduling background investigations on applicants, employees and contractors within the limits of federal agency designated authority

    • Excellent written and oral communication skills

    • Excellent computer skills to include proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel

    Desired:

    • Experience in an investigative, adjudications, or investigative analyst field

    Experience with ISMS

    • Possess the ability to interpret local agency checks and credit reports

    • Knowledge of National Security and Suitability Investigations


  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find personnel security assistants for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your personnel security assistant job on Zippia to find and recruit personnel security assistant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with personnel security assistant candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new personnel security assistant

    Once you've selected the best personnel security assistant candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new personnel security assistant. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a personnel security assistant?

Recruiting personnel security assistants involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

The median annual salary for personnel security assistants is $33,406 in the US. However, the cost of personnel security assistant hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a personnel security assistant for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $10 and $24 an hour.

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