Job with security clearance

Hi,

Firstly I know nothing about security clearances and have never applied for one... but I think I may be able to help...

So... How can a security clearance NOT expire after ten years!? Who knows what you've been doing in the intervening time!?!? Ten years is way too long to ignore!

I'd guess you'll need to reapply and the fact that you had one before means that its only 10 years worth of data they'll have to search rather than a lifetime.

That will make it quicker and easier for you.

Hope that helps,
Cheers,
Tim.

Expiration may not be the proper term. Security clearances are "pulled" as soon as you leave a job that requires a security clearance. A "dormant" clearance can be "reactivated" without a new investigation, if a request to do so (by the agency requiring the clearance, not by the person who held the clearance) is made within a specific time period (I think it is 1 yr.).

Yes, the fact that you previously held a clearance will help some. However, since Secret clearances must be reinvestigated every 10 years, you will still have to go through the entire investigation process. FYI, the Defense Security Service (DSS - the agency charged with processing all clearance requests for DoD, its agencies, and DoD government contractors) is now also conducting credit checks as part of the investigation process. Also, FYI, DSS, at on point in the past year and a half, had a backlog of several hundred thousand uncompleted investigations - so it could take a while before you get a final clearance. The good news is that you can get an interim clearance fairly quickly after DSS runs a cursory check on you clearance questionnaire (and now immediately obvious red flags pop up).

If you apply for a job requiring a clearance with Government agencies other than DoD, other agencies may be conducting the investigation. However, the process will be similar. Make sure you bring up the fact that you previously held a clearance both to the security officer at the prospective employer and to any investigators who interview you if your application gets that far. At the very least, this gives the investigating agency a previous investigation they can reference.

Good Luck.

As a general rule you will have to reapply. In my experience I had to do so when there was a time lapse. You may contact the DIS to see what the exact rules are (I think it's a year) - but you should expect for there to be another investigation when you change jobs and also during period intervals. I don't think there is anyway that 10 years can go by and they would not conduct the investigation again. For each investigation, make sure you keep copies of all the paperwork, and then when you fill out the paperwork again you have a reference. Expect to do this frequently even if you do not have to.

I hope this helps.