IT-1 Certificate of Public Trust?

July 3, 2006 11:01 AM

Has anyone on the green gotten a government IT-1 or IT-2 clearance?

I would like to know how long and what to expect from the process. This is for a software development position with a defense contractor.

posted by toastchee to Work & Money (11 answers total)

Please elaborate. What is an IT-1 or an IT-2 clearance. If it is a security clearance, there are huge delays currently due to some contracting difficulties.
posted by Ironmouth at 11:47 AM on July 3, 2006

Response by poster: That's about all I know that it's an IT-1 Certificate of Public Trust, part of which is a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI).
posted by toastchee at 11:55 AM on July 3, 2006

It depends on a number of things. One, Ironmouth is correct: there's some pissing context between (IIRC) DoD and OPM over a (relatively) paltry sum of money one claims the other owes them. It also depends, therefore, on who's doing the SSBI. Mine was done by OPM, but because the investigating agency was in the process of being changed, mine took forever. Depends, too, on your skillset, the need for it, etc.

Lastly, be aware that contract work with a defense contractor is often itself on contract. Someone working as a contractee with, say, Lockheed-Martin or Boeing is pretty far down the food chain. If DoD tells BigDog, Inc. to stuff it, those working on contracts for BigDog (or on contracts for companies contracting for BigDog) can get blindsided. Just a little caveat.

(Disclaimers: I'm a DoD employee, not a contractor, and my clearances took a long time in part because I work in a SCIF, and handle highly classified stuff daily because of the work I do. I'm not on the IT side, either. So take the above with two large grains of salt.)
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 12:19 PM on July 3, 2006

I've never seen them referred to as that, but an IT-1 clearance is a top secret clearance. an IT-2 is a Secret Clearance.

On April 28, 2006, all clearance investigations by the Defense Industrial Security Office ("DISCO") were suspended due to a funding mishap created by Mr. Douglas Feith, a neocon in the DoD. On May 16, 2006 Secret clearance processing was resumed. No word on when the Top Secret clearances will be started again. Look here for more info.

Its a long process. If you don't already have the clearance they may hire another who already has the clearance. If it is a requirement, they cannot use you on classified sections of the project until you are cleared.

For the secret, they will do your credit, check all of your references and dates you give as for when you lived there, check for a criminal record, drug use, association with know n criminals or drug users and whether or not you engage in sexual behavior which could leave you open to blackmail. If you are out, good luck, because this administration reserves the right to discriminate against you.

For top secret you get an interview on top of all of this.
posted by Ironmouth at 12:22 PM on July 3, 2006

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posted by MonkeySaltedNuts at 12:31 PM on July 3, 2006

Does "IT" denote "interim?" Those can have a quick turnaround.
posted by NortonDC at 12:32 PM on July 3, 2006

Response by poster: according to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A585-2004Oct1.html


Thanks for the question. Sounds like you filled out a SF-85. A Public Trust position and Public Trust Certificate is not the same as a security clearance. You have gone through some initial clearances but this is not the same as you having a Secret or Top Secret Clearance. Here are the clearances involved with a Public Trust position;

NATIONAL AGENCY CHECK (NAC)

The NAC is a part of every background investigation.

Standard NACs are: Security/Suitability Investigations Index (SII), Defense Clearance Investigation Index (DCII), FBI Name Check, FBI National Criminal History Fingerprint check.

Optional checks can include: Credit, Military Personnel Record, citizenship, BVS, Selective Service (males born after 12/31/59), CIA, State Department. Note: Each has a separate cost.

NATIONAL AGENCY CHECK (NACI)
Minimum investigation required for non-sensitive/low risk positions. All coverage is obtained through written inquiry and computer linkages. Coverage includes:

• Employment 5 years
• Education 5 years and highest degree verified
• Residence 3 years
• References
• Law Enforcement 5 years
• NACs

Since you have had some initail checks I would use this on my resume as a marketing tool but it is not the same as a Secret or TS. It may help in cutting down your investigation time if you do transfer or get into a position that requires a security clearance.

I hope this helps. Take care.

Here is information on Public Trust Positions

Public Trust Positions are positions that have the potential for adverse impact on either the integrity and/or efficiency of the organization's mission. These positions are deemed sensitive in nature and designated by the level of impact to the mission. Public trust positions have either a moderate or high risk level designation. Positions deemed high risk public trust have potential for exceptionally serious impact on the integrity and/or efficiency of the organization's mission.

Positions deemed moderate risk public trust have the potential for moderate to serious impact on the organization's mission. These positions do not require a security clearance but DO require a background investigation to determine suitability to occupy the position.

Public trust positions require completion of the Standard Form (SF) 85P). Low risk, non-sensitive positions have a limited impact on the organization's mission and are not considered "public trust positions." These low-risk positions require completion of the Standard Form (SF) 85.
posted by toastchee at 12:43 PM on July 3, 2006

Essentially there are three types of investigations done of potential government employees. First is the National Agency Check, which is basically something they do for everyone. Next is a suitability investigation, which investigates if you are suitable for a somewhat sensitive position. It is not a clearance and gives you no access to classified information. The final kind is a Security Clearance Investigation. It is an investigation to determine if you are a risk for disclosing classified information. You apparently are getting the third. Expect long delays. Sometimes they can be sped up, but that's usually done for someone in a politically sensitive position. A contractor is highly unlikely to get the expedited kind.

Expect a long wait.

More background as to your situation would help.
posted by Ironmouth at 1:23 PM on July 3, 2006

Expect a long wait, seconded. DoD civilian here, working with contractors.
posted by fixedgear at 1:39 PM on July 3, 2006

Response by poster: Thanks to all for great answers. I have been offered a postion contigent on securing an IT-1 certificate of Public Trust. I am a computer programmer by trade, and there is some indication I could start work with an IT-2 waiver while the IT-1 is pending.
posted by toastchee at 1:44 PM on July 3, 2006

I've had a Secret (in the 1980s and again in the '90s), and I've done the 85-P for the position I have now. Never heard of these IT-1 or IT-2 classifications. My impression is for those below TS you're at most only peripherally exposd to anything that's really Classified, although you may be working in a facility where that stuff is happening -- you just won't be allowed near it until your TS comes through (which takes months, and is always taking longer than it used to).

Thanks for that DISCO update, Ironmouth!
posted by Rash at 12:28 PM on July 4, 2006