any sense in applying to job that wants active secret clearance?

I'm looking at a job listing that I think I would be qualified for, but they want active secret clearance. I see a lot of jobs like that actually. Is there any sense in applying for them since I don't have it?

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Comments

ramrunner800

I would say it's not a definite no, but it's highly unlikely that they will consider candidates who aren't already cleared. The clearance process can take a VERY long time, and they probably have an immediate need if they're seeking candidates who possess active clearances. I would look for openings that say they are seeking someone who either has a clearance, or are willing to go through the process to get cleared. I've seen quite a few openings like that lately, though bear in mind it could be as much as 18-24 months before you're able to start a job like that.

Throne

Yes there is sense in applying to these jobs, because many of these jobs are for people capable of getting a clearance. If they like you and believe you are good fit for the company, then they will get you a clearance. As matter of fact, I would say apply for any of them that you are interested in and if you ge that call from them just tell you do not currently have one. That next next question may very well be, "Will you be able to obtain one?" as in no trouble with the law and or basically have you law abiding citizen. Alot of people are not applying for theses jobs because they thinking the way you are, guess what that leaves alot of jobs for for you to get!! Good luck

shodown

Secret is your way into the door. As long as your reasonable with your background you can start working on most projects with a Interm.

Verruckt

If they're requesting you have an active secret clearance then no - it makes no sense to apply if you do not have said active secret clearance.

The amount of time to get a clearance is ridiculous, even more so these days. An SSBI is no joke in the depth it goes to and the time it takes.

It is cost and time prohibitive for an employer to hire someone who doesn't have one for a position which requires one.

JDMurray

Apply for the job and let the hiring manager decides if s/he wants you even without having the active clearance. If you don't apply there is a 100% chance you won't get the job. There is also the chance they might have other open positions they would see you as qualified for.

JDMurray

Verruckt wrote: »

An SSBI is no joke in the depth it goes to and the time it takes.

It depends on how complex your background history is to research and how quickly your application filters through the bureaucracy. I got a TS/SSBI in just under three months, which was considered rather fast.

kj0

I don't have any clue on how your clearances work, but couldn't you apply for a clearance and then when HR calls up, say that you are waiting for your clearance to be finalised or something?

thegoodbye

Secret clearance isn't much more then a background check. Apply and see what happens.

PurpleIT

kj0 wrote: »

I don't have any clue on how your clearances work, but couldn't you apply for a clearance and then when HR calls up, say that you are waiting for your clearance to be finalised or something?

You can't apply for a clearance on your own, it has to be sponsored by a company. Even if you could, the costs are prohibitive (in the thousands of dollars). This is part of what makes having clearance a big deal; it not only opens doors for some high paying jobs, it shows that a company invested in you.

Somnipotent

If they're looking for an ACTIVE Secret then it's probably not worth your time to apply. If they state an eligibility to be cleared, then so long as you have a clean background, your credit is good, then go for it. You'll be granted an interim clearance (if your application form does not have any red flags) within a week and you can touch the need-to-know stuff and get right to work. It's really not that big of a deal. DOD Secret Clearance generally takes 3-4 months depending on your background, however agencies have their own clearances and their own guidelines. Look up the SF-86 if you're curious as to what they're looking for. A TS level clearance will take quite a bit more time (10 years vs. 7 years of history and involves field investigations).

I have a DOD Secret and it's definitely worth its weight in gold.

gunbunnysoulja

Always apply to everything even if you don't meet all requirements. Many times it's just a wish-list for an ideal candidate (depending on position). Also, they might just want to ensure the candidate will be capable of obtaining a clearance. As others have said, you can start working on many jobs via interim. And a secret clearance doesn't always take a long time. Mine took less than 2 months.

Also, your credit does not have to be great nor does your background, to a certain extent.

The biggest thing is identifying everything so when they find out it doesn't look like you tried to hide anything.

kgb

gunbunnysoulja wrote: »

...The biggest thing is identifying everything so when they find out it doesn't look like you tried to hide anything.

I think that needs to be stressed. Most important advice...don't lie... If you did X, say you did X. Like gunbunnysoulja states, you don't need to necessarily be squeaky clean and perfect.

vanquish23

Getting a secret clearance is a joke. Just a background check. If you not a criminal or drug user, its quick and painless. Just wait until you apply for a TS/SCi. Then you have to be the good guy that never did anything bad.

Valsacar

vanquish23 wrote: »

Getting a secret clearance is a joke. Just a background check. If you not a criminal or drug user, its quick and painless. Just wait until you apply for a TS/SCi. Then you have to be the good guy that never did anything bad.

That's not entirely true, it all depends on your background. I had no debt, no record, nothing... yet mine took close to a year and required an interview. The reason, because I like to travel and took advantage of being stationed overseas to actually do that. I had to explain every trip, every detail of what I did, where I went, who I talked to, and even where I ate.

If you've never blinked wrong, nor left the US, it is normally pretty quick and easy to get (but still expensive for the company). But sometimes little things, like going on a vacation outside the US, can make the process more difficult.

To the OP, no don't waste your time or theirs. If they specifically said Active clearance, that means they are not looking to hire people who are not cleared. It's generally cheaper for a company to hire someone cleared and train them on missing skills, than it is to get them cleared. Depending on the job, you might not be able to work on an interim, which means they would have hired you (can't sponsor you unless you're an employee) and are paying you to not do the job they need filled. In general, if they ask for Active clearance that means it's a position they need filled quickly. If they have time, they will say eligible or capable of obtaining a clearance.

JamesEubank

What is active secret clearance? And why is this used?, I need to know this...

Valsacar

JamesEubank wrote: »

What is active secret clearance? And why is this used?, I need to know this...

It is a security clearance for the US Government, it allows one to access classified material (up to the SECRET level, which means information that could be detrimental to national security if released). To obtain one you have to have a clean background, good character, no major credit problems, and a number of other things. Only a company (that works with/for the government) can sponsor one (and pay for it), or a government agency (military included here).

Once a clearance is issued it must be re-evaluated at 10 years (7 for TS), it remains active as long as your job requires you to use it. It goes inactive at, around, 1 year after you last required it (ie no longer working in a position that requires a clearance). It can be reactivated, which is faster and cheaper than getting a new one, as long as that 10 year (or 7) has not passed.

Most government jobs, and government contracting positions, require at least a SECRET clearance. There is also one for confidential material (really low level stuff) and TOP SECRET. Depending on the level the background checks and requirements are different. Some SECRET level positions require a background check almost as high as a TS (SSBI check vs NACLC).

Average time for a clearance is around 6 months (depends on your background and current case load by the evaluators). Some work allows you do work with an interim clearance (local background check and approving official believes you are fully qualified to obtain the final) while you wait on the final clearance. Other positions require the final clearance before you can work. For that reason companies often only look for those with active clearances, as obtaining one is expensive (higher the level the more it costs) and they may not be able to utilize you until you get one (and if you fail to get one then hiring you was a complete waste of money).

Most common way to obtain a clearance is to serve in the military and then transfer to government or contracting job immediately after separating from the service.

Blackout

Most of these jobs will tell you in the job description whether they will pay for your clearance, it will normally say something like "Active Specific Clearance Required" or "Ability to become cleared" the latter is what you would look for if your wanting to get into Contracting or GS. The GS positions can be very difficult to get into if you don't have a good network and you don't already have an active clearance.

Blackout

Valsacar wrote: »

It is a security clearance for the US Government, it allows one to access classified material (up to the SECRET level, which means information that could be detrimental to national security if released). To obtain one you have to have a clean background, good character, no major credit problems, and a number of other things. Only a company (that works with/for the government) can sponsor one (and pay for it), or a government agency (military included here).

Once a clearance is issued it must be re-evaluated at 10 years (7 for TS), it remains active as long as your job requires you to use it. It goes inactive at, around, 1 year after you last required it (ie no longer working in a position that requires a clearance). It can be reactivated, which is faster and cheaper than getting a new one, as long as that 10 year (or 7) has not passed.

Most government jobs, and government contracting positions, require at least a SECRET clearance. There is also one for confidential material (really low level stuff) and TOP SECRET. Depending on the level the background checks and requirements are different. Some SECRET level positions require a background check almost as high as a TS (SSBI check vs NACLC).

Average time for a clearance is around 6 months (depends on your background and current case load by the evaluators). Some work allows you do work with an interim clearance (local background check and approving official believes you are fully qualified to obtain the final) while you wait on the final clearance. Other positions require the final clearance before you can work. For that reason companies often only look for those with active clearances, as obtaining one is expensive (higher the level the more it costs) and they may not be able to utilize you until you get one (and if you fail to get one then hiring you was a complete waste of money).

Most common way to obtain a clearance is to serve in the military and then transfer to government or contracting job immediately after separating from the service.

TS is every 5 years now.

gunbunnysoulja

Valsacar wrote: »

It goes inactive at, around, 1 year after you last required it (ie no longer working in a position that requires a clearance).

AFAIK, it's 2 years for secret for inactive use (not in position requiring it).

ramrunner800

gunbunnysoulja wrote: »

AFAIK, it's 2 years for secret for inactive use (not in position requiring it).

This is my understanding as well.

Blackout

vanquish23 wrote: »

Getting a secret clearance is a joke. Just a background check. If you not a criminal or drug user, its quick and painless. Just wait until you apply for a TS/SCi. Then you have to be the good guy that never did anything bad.

SCI is simply a read in. It's as simple as watching a 30 minute video. TS is the monster of clearance's mine was brutal as I have a foreign national wife. Took almost 7 months to get my clearance.

Valsacar

gunbunnysoulja wrote: »

AFAIK, it's 2 years for secret for inactive use (not in position requiring it).

It's the same for all clearances, 1 year. Technically it goes inactive once you stop using it, but as long as not more than a year has passed the reactivation is simple and inexpensive.

DPG

If you think you may need one on the future, I would go ahead and apply for one. The government gives them out like candy.

JDMurray

Valsacar wrote: »

It's the same for all clearances, 1 year. Technically it goes inactive once you stop using it, but as long as not more than a year has passed the reactivation is simple and inexpensive.

I was told my TS will be eligible for reactivation for 24 months, after which I will need to restart the approval process with a new SF-86. Maybe S is 12mo and TS is 24mo. Seems like it would be the other way around.

jdballinger

SCI is not necessarily just a read-in. Depending on who you are working for or what you will be doing/have access to, it may also require a lifestyle polygraph and additional questions as well.

As far as the time it takes to get a clearance, when I went through my TS investigation last year, the field investigator told me that because OPM (Office of Personnel Management) is so far behind on clearance investigations, they are under a strict 60 day window to get everything submitted from their investigation on TS clearances. Not sure how that applies to Secret investigations, but I'd imagine it's not far off. I had my TS initiated in October 2011 and it was adjudicated and closed out by mid-January 2012.

Also, as far as the difficulty in getting a clearance as long as you are not swimming in debt up to your eyeballs and dodging creditors when they call, and you aren't a convicted felon, it should be pretty simple.

DACP_tim

gunbunnysoulja wrote: »

Always apply to everything even if you don't meet all requirements. Many times it's just a wish-list for an ideal candidate (depending on position). Also, they might just want to ensure the candidate will be capable of obtaining a clearance. As others have said, you can start working on many jobs via interim. And a secret clearance doesn't always take a long time. Mine took less than 2 months.

Also, your credit does not have to be great nor does your background, to a certain extent.

The biggest thing is identifying everything so when they find out it doesn't look like you tried to hide anything.

The wish list thing is not necessarily true when it comes to Clearances. If it says you need an Active Clearance, then that's that. That means they aren't sponsoring the approval process. They need someone already cleared and ready to be exposed to the sensitive information.

higherho

Secret clearance typically do not get an SSBI (I've seen a few that did though). Typically they just call one person and they do credit / background check. The SSBI (which is typically done for TS level) is where they send people out to investigate. If you cannot get your interim within 48 hours then there is something they found that they will look into further. Typically this is bad credit or foreign nationals.

If they do say active then you have no chance because they wont front the money / sponsor for you to get one. However, if they need a person bad and cannot find one soon enough, then they will grab anyone.

instant000

It really depends upon how desperate they are for people. If they're hard up, they'll sponsor you for the clearance. If not, then they'll ask for people who already have a clearance. If you don't want to unnecessarily bother someone, then just look for the ones where they ask for people "capable of obtaining a clearance".

Last I checked, interim-SECRET was at commander's discretion, but I'm sure SECRET generally requires a national agency check.

You can look at interim-SECRET the same way as you look at an interim head coach in the NFL. If you leave the position, you'd not be looked at as head coach material. Whereas if you actually get a SECRET, you still have it after you leave the position, up to a period of time afterward (two years, last I checked).

Once you get in the system, then you can start to branch out to other things. That's what I recommend. Get a contract that says it wants a "clearable" candidate. These types of jobs are usually ones that don't necessarily pay so well, and have people probably leaving all the time. So, just get your clearance, and move on to something better once you get it (the job you really want). It's not a loyal move, so if that bothers you, you might want to wait until the job you wants comes up and is willing to sponsor you.

Of course, if there is any doubt on your part, you can always contact the recruiting firm, and inquire if they sponsor or not.

Hope this helps.

Valsacar

higherho wrote: »

Secret clearance typically do not get an SSBI (I've seen a few that did though). Typically they just call one person and they do credit / background check. The SSBI (which is typically done for TS level) is where they send people out to investigate. If you cannot get your interim within 48 hours then there is something they found that they will look into further. Typically this is bad credit or foreign nationals.

If they do say active then you have no chance because they wont front the money / sponsor for you to get one. However, if they need a person bad and cannot find one soon enough, then they will grab anyone.

AR 25-1 (or is it 25-2... always forget) states to do IT work (even IMO) it requires a SECRET and SSBI... even the Army always ignores the SSBI half of it because NACLC is the common one. I've known a few guys that have pushed to "do it the right way" simply because they know that means the lazy security manager will tell the commander (or PM, if contractor) to put them in for a TS since SSBI is normally done for those.

gunbunnysoulja

Valsacar wrote: »

It's the same for all clearances, 1 year. Technically it goes inactive once you stop using it, but as long as not more than a year has passed the reactivation is simple and inexpensive.

Any documentation stating this? All the information I have seen and been told indicates 2 years of positional inactivity (even with same employer). After 2 years, a complete SF86 needs to be submitted again.