Polygraph Examiner

The posting

Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.

The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to take on complex, real-world threats to our nation and the world.

The PNNL Field Intelligence Element (FIE) is an intelligence component of the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence Field Intelligence Enterprise. The FIE Operations Division, part of the National Security Directorate, is comprised of a cohesive team of leaders stewarding the capabilities and resources of the FIE in support of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, DOE, and other sponsors. The FIE is compliant, strategically proactive, and customer service oriented and offers efficient services and resources to support the FIE mission.

Responsibilities

PNNL seeks an experienced polygraph examiner to conduct counterintelligence-scope polygraph (CSP) and specific incident polygraph (SIP) examinations for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in Albuquerque, New Mexico - relocation will be provided. The primary CSP exam format is the Test for Espionage and Sabotage (TES), conducted in accordance with 10 CFR 709, the Federal Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (PDD) Examiner Handbook, and other guidance issued by DOE and the National Center for Credibility Assessment (NCCA).

The examiner will primarily conduct assessments in civilian and corporate environments rather than military, law enforcement, or public safety settings. The position requires the ability to work effectively with individuals representing a broad range of cognitive styles and neurotypes, including neurodivergent populations.

• Responsible for providing technical expertise, analysis, and publishable products to advance the frontiers of science and address some of the most challenging problems in national security, energy, and the environment.
• Gather, analyze, and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
• Anticipates internal and or external business challenges, sponsor and/or regulatory issues; recommends process or service improvements.
• Identifies and solves unique and complex problems that have a broad impact on the Laboratory.
• Utilize technical expertise in one or more scientific, engineering, or policy disciplines, determine significance and reliability of incoming information, integrating new information with current data.
• Evaluate information to determine a recommended course of action.
• Apply and interpret theories, principles, methods, tools, and technologies within an area of specialty.
• Provide domain knowledge and insight on national-level mission needs to multidisciplinary project teams comprised of scientists and engineers.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 9 years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA or higher and 7 years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience with counterintelligence (CI) or criminal investigations with extensive additional training in using computerized instrumentation in Psychophysiological Detection of Deception and in psychology, physiology, interviewing, and interrogation.
• Graduate of the NCCA Psychophysiological Detection of Deception Program.
• Four years or more experience conducting counterintelligence-scope polygraph exams, especially the Test for Espionage and Sabotage (TES) format.
• Knowledgeable of the current federal test data analysis (TDA) criteria and able to independently and objectively implement TDA procedures.
• Knowledgeable of current polygraph theory and principles, and associated aspects of human psychology and physiology.
• Proficient in detecting and countering the use of polygraph countermeasures.
• Proficient with Lafayette computerized polygraph instrument; Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 products, including Microsoft Teams; and routine troubleshooting of polygraph instruments.
• Strong commitment to professionalism even in the most challenging, complex, and dynamic situations.
• Ability and flexibility to proactively understand, recognize, and acclimate to dynamic situations and personalities in a business setting.
• Mission-focused and demonstrated attention to detail.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

• This position requires the ability and willingness to travel for business purposes between 10% and 50% of the time, usually for 4-6 days per trip.
• Position requires successful completion of an initial approximate 6-to-12-week certification training period which involves conducting approximately 25 exams under the supervision of Quality Control. At the conclusion of this training period, based on the demonstrated technical polygraph proficiency, professionalism and compliance to the DOE Polygraph Program standards, a formal recommendation for federal certification will be made to the DOE Intelligence & Counterintelligence. Without formal federal certification, the applicant would not be authorized to conduct DOE Polygraph directed exams. The training location would be at the discretion of project management.
• Must meet continuing education requirements of the Federal Polygraph Continuing Education Certification Program within 12 months from the date of hire.
• The work schedule is driven by project needs and must fall within the core business hours Monday-Friday between 6:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. Exceptions to this work schedule must be approved by both the Team Leader and Project Manager. The position requires occasional work or travel during Saturday or Sunday, and at irregular hours.
• This position requires consistent on-site presence of the employee during the M-F work week. This is not a hybrid position.
• Due to the nature of the polygraph examination, the position may be subject to stressful situations. You will be expected to manage those situations professionally and expertly to maintain security and safety for all involved and attain program goals.
• Physical demands are limited to sitting, standing, talking, occasionally pushing/pulling/lifting up to 50 pounds and climbing multiple building levels via stairways. You will be required to speak clearly and articulately for long periods of time during polygraph interviews. You will be subject to the rigors of domestic travel.

Additional Information

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.

A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.

Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).

Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.

Testing Designated Position

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at [email protected].

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

Mandatory Requirements

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Rockstar Rewards

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year. * Research Associates excluded. **All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.

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Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $126,300.00/Yr. Maximum Salary

USD $199,600.00/Yr.