Personnel Specialist Jobs
Personnel Specialist jobs are open across federal agencies, defense contractors, healthcare systems, and state governments, from entry-level HR assistant roles to senior specialist and supervisory positions, with specializations in benefits administration, recruitment, and position classification. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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This position is located at Keesler Medical Center, Biloxi, MS.
Personnel Security Specialist
Salary- Up to $97,087
Keesler Medical Center at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, is one of the largest and most comprehensive medical facilities in the U.S. Air Force. Operated by the 359th Medical Group, it delivers direct healthcare to tens of thousands of beneficiaries, active-duty members, and military retirees.
Duties and responsibilities involve analyzing and resolving a variety of security issues related topersonnel security, information security, operational security, and Privacy Act programs within the Military Treatment Facility (MTF); adjudicating security clearance requests involving mixtures of such things as derogatoryinformation, applicants or employees with hard to find skills, and management’s willingness to accepta nominal risk; and assisting in the formulation, implementation, and management of policy pertainingto guidance of the Personnel, Information, and Operational security programs throughout the MTF,and its subordinate elements. Incumbent must frequently use judgment and discretion in handlingsensitive security and background information. Clearances require incumbent to elicit, review andmake determinations concerning personal information provided and information gained fromnumerous security, law enforcement and credit bureaus.
Personnel Security (PERSEC):
- Validate & Execute Clearances: Process, verify, and monitor security clearances for military, civilian, and contract personnel.
- Investigative Screening: Initiate, review, and evaluate background investigations (SSBIs, NACLCs); conduct personal screening and due process interviews.
- Interim Authority: Grant interim clearances and manage the administrative flagging of personnel with derogatory information.
Security Administration:
Data & Systems Management: Manage security databases, track compliance rosters, and generate analytical reports for leadership.- Liaison & Coordination: Coordinate with OPM, the DoD Central Clearance Facility (CAF), and law enforcement to verify background data.
- Records Management: Maintain, transfer, and securely destroy sensitive files and investigative records.
Operations Security (OPSEC):
Program Management: Develop, implement, and maintain the MTF OPSEC program and continuity binders.- Audits & Reviews: Conduct annual self-inspections (NLT 31 Jul), annual webpage reviews, and quarterly compliance audits.
- Critical Information: Compile, distribute, and annually update the Critical Information Indicators List (CIL).
Information Security (INFOSEC):
Information Safeguarding: Ensure proper classification, receipt, storage, transmission, and destruction of classified/sensitive material.- Security Training: Conduct annual security briefings, initial onboarding orientations, and specialized training (SAEDA, SCI).
Position Sensitivity:
Sensitivity Designation: Continually assess mission requirements to define and update position sensitivity levels and reinvestigation timelines
This position is located at Keesler Medical Center, Biloxi, MS.
Personnel Security Specialist
Salary- Up to $97,087
Keesler Medical Center at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, is one of the largest and most comprehensive medical facilities in the U.S. Air Force. Operated by the 359th Medical Group, it delivers direct healthcare to tens of thousands of beneficiaries, active-duty members, and military retirees.
Duties and responsibilities involve analyzing and resolving a variety of security issues related topersonnel security, information security, operational security, and Privacy Act programs within the Military Treatment Facility (MTF); adjudicating security clearance requests involving mixtures of such things as derogatoryinformation, applicants or employees with hard to find skills, and management’s willingness to accepta nominal risk; and assisting in the formulation, implementation, and management of policy pertainingto guidance of the Personnel, Information, and Operational security programs throughout the MTF,and its subordinate elements. Incumbent must frequently use judgment and discretion in handlingsensitive security and background information. Clearances require incumbent to elicit, review andmake determinations concerning personal information provided and information gained fromnumerous security, law enforcement and credit bureaus.
Personnel Security (PERSEC):
- Validate & Execute Clearances: Process, verify, and monitor security clearances for military, civilian, and contract personnel.
- Investigative Screening: Initiate, review, and evaluate background investigations (SSBIs, NACLCs); conduct personal screening and due process interviews.
- Interim Authority: Grant interim clearances and manage the administrative flagging of personnel with derogatory information.
Security Administration:
Data & Systems Management: Manage security databases, track compliance rosters, and generate analytical reports for leadership.- Liaison & Coordination: Coordinate with OPM, the DoD Central Clearance Facility (CAF), and law enforcement to verify background data.
- Records Management: Maintain, transfer, and securely destroy sensitive files and investigative records.
Operations Security (OPSEC):
Program Management: Develop, implement, and maintain the MTF OPSEC program and continuity binders.- Audits & Reviews: Conduct annual self-inspections (NLT 31 Jul), annual webpage reviews, and quarterly compliance audits.
- Critical Information: Compile, distribute, and annually update the Critical Information Indicators List (CIL).
Information Security (INFOSEC):
Information Safeguarding: Ensure proper classification, receipt, storage, transmission, and destruction of classified/sensitive material.- Security Training: Conduct annual security briefings, initial onboarding orientations, and specialized training (SAEDA, SCI).
Position Sensitivity:
Sensitivity Designation: Continually assess mission requirements to define and update position sensitivity levels and reinvestigation timelines
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Find Personnel Specialist JobsPersonnel Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in personnel specialist jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field
- Experience administering employee benefits, leave programs, or position classification
- Proficiency with an HR information system or applicant tracking system
- Knowledge of federal or state employment laws including FMLA, ADA, and EEO regulations
- PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent human resources certification preferred or required
- Strong written communication skills for drafting policy documents and employee correspondence
Tips for Your Personnel Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to classification standards
Personnel specialists in federal and state government settings are evaluated against specific occupational series and grade levels. Mirror the exact language from the job announcement in your resume, including series numbers and duty descriptions, to pass automated screening.
Highlight your HR information systems experience
Employers screen for hands-on time in specific HR platforms, not just general computer skills. Name every system you have used for payroll, benefits, or records management in a dedicated skills section so hiring managers can spot your fit immediately.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists personnel specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Obtain a relevant HR certification before applying
Credentials like PHR or SHRM-CP signal foundational competency that hiring panels look for, especially when your experience is still building. Listing a certification in progress is acceptable, provided you note your expected completion date.
Prepare scenario answers for classification disputes
Interviewers for personnel specialist roles routinely ask how you handled a situation where an employee disagreed with their position classification or benefits determination. Prepare a specific example that shows your process for reviewing policy, communicating the decision, and documenting the outcome.
Follow up within five business days after interviews
Government and large-employer hiring panels move slowly, but a brief, professional follow-up email referencing something specific from your interview keeps you visible. Restate your interest and confirm you have submitted all required documents, since missing paperwork is a common disqualifier.
Personnel Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most personnel specialists?
The companies hiring the most personnel specialists right now include Amentum, DTSV, and Protection Strategies, with the largest share of openings in Virginia, California, and District of Columbia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Federal agencies and large healthcare systems consistently account for a significant portion of active openings.
How many personnel specialist jobs are remote?
About 56% of personnel specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of October 2026, with availability varying by employer type and function. Benefits administration, records management, and recruiting coordination tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while classification review and onboarding roles are more frequently on-site.
How do you become a personnel specialist?
Earn a bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field, then gain hands-on experience through an HR coordinator, assistant, or generalist role. Building proficiency in an HR information system and earning a credential like the PHR or SHRM-CP strengthens your candidacy. Federal positions also require meeting specific occupational series qualifications outlined in the job announcement.
Can you get hired as a personnel specialist with little experience?
Yes, entry-level personnel specialist roles exist, particularly in federal agencies and large organizations that hire at trainee or developmental grade levels. Internships, HR assistant positions, or volunteer work in benefits or recruiting all count toward qualifying experience. Emphasizing any coursework in employment law, payroll, or organizational behavior helps compensate for limited work history.
What does the personnel specialist interview process look like?
Most hiring processes begin with an application review and automated scoring against job announcement criteria, followed by a structured panel interview with HR managers or subject-matter experts. Expect behavioral questions about handling sensitive employee situations, interpreting policy, and resolving classification or benefits discrepancies. Federal roles may also require a writing sample or knowledge test before a final selection decision.
Where can I find and apply to personnel specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to personnel specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search for roles that match your experience level and specialization, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
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