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Department of Veterans Affairs Washington, DC 20420

VA Handbook 0710 Transmittal Sheet September 10, 2004

PERSONNEL SUITABILITY AND SECURITY PROGRAM

1. REASON FOR ISSUE: This handbook establishes procedures that implement the policies set forth in VA Directive 0710, Personnel Suitability and Security Program in accordance with 5 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 731, Suitability, and 5 CFR Part 732, National Security Positions; and for the management and appropriate handling of classified national security documents within VA.

2. SUMMARY OF CONTENTS/MAJOR CHANGES: This handbook describes the designation of position risk levels in accordance with 5 CFR Part 731, Suitability; and sensitivity levels as applied to positions involving national security interests in accordance with 5 CFR Part 732, National Security Positions. It addresses the personnel background investigations process in VA, and rights of employees, appointees, and applicants. It extends the provisions of 5 CFR Parts 731 and 732 to VA's Title 5 excepted service, Title 5/Title 38 hybrid excepted service, and employees appointed under Title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) Chapters 3 (except the Under Secretary for Health), 71, or 78; and extends the criteria of 5 CFR Parts 731 and 732 to the Under Secretary for Health and employees appointed under Title 38 U.S.C. Chapters 73 and 74. Additionally, it provides guidance for contractor personnel and sets forth policy for the management, secure handling, transmission and storage of classified national security documents in VA.

3. RESPONSIBLE OFFICE: Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Security and Law Enforcement, Security and Investigations Center.

4. RELATED DIRECTIVE: VA Directive 0710, Personnel Suitability and Security Program.

5. RESCISSIONS: VA Directive and Handbook 0710, Personnel and National Information Security, October 30, 2000.

CERTIFIED BY:

/s/ Robert N. McFarland Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology Distribution: Electronic Only

BY DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS:

/s/

Dennis M. Duffy Acting Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning, and Preparedness

September 10, 2004

VA Handbook 0710

PERSONNEL SUITABILITY AND SECURITY PROGRAM

CONTENTS

PARAGRAPH

PAGE

Section A: Personnel Suitability and Security Eligibility

1. Purpose

5

2. Position Risk and Sensitivity Level Designations

5

3. Suitability Risk Levels

6

4. National Security Sensitivity Levels

6

5. Background Investigation Process - Suitability Determinations

7

a. Investigative Process for High Risk Positions

7

b. Investigative Process for Moderate Risk Positions

8

c. Investigative Process for Low Risk/Nonsensitive Positions

9

6. Background Investigation Process - Security Eligibility

10

Determinations

a. Pre-Appointment Investigative Requirements

10

b. Investigative Process for Special Sensitive Positions

11

c. Investigative Process for Critical Sensitive Positions

12

d. Investigative Process for Noncritical Sensitive Positions

13

7. Investigative Process for Contract Personnel

14

8. Risk Level Changes

14

9. Periodic Reinvestigations

15

10. Disposition of Investigative Files

16

11. Derogatory Information

17

12. Rights of VA Applicants, Appointees, and Employees

17

a. Suitability Actions

17

b. National Security Eligibility Actions

19

Section B: Classified Documents

1. Purpose

23

2. Security Education

23

3. Reporting Requirements

23

4. Access Requirements

23

5. Establishing Classified Controls

24

6. Handling of Classified Documents

24

7. Classification Levels

25

8. Identification and Markings

25

9. Declassification and Downgrading

25

10. Storage and Handling of Classified Documents

25

11. Container Assignment Numbers and Combinations

26

12. Functions of Custodians

27

3

VA Handbook 0710

September 10, 2004

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13. Care During Working Hours 14. End-of-Day Security Checks 15. Transmittal 16. Loss or Possible Compromise 17. Destruction of Classified Documents

APPENDIX A

Position Risk and Sensitivity Level Designation

Tables 1. Program Risk Level Designation 2. Position Risk Points 3. Position Risk Level and Type of Background Investigation

27 27 28 29 29

A-1

A-9 A-11 A-13

4

September 10, 2004

VA Handbook 0710

PERSONNEL SUITABILITY AND SECURITY PROGRAM

SECTION A: PERSONNEL SUITABILITY AND SECURITY ELIGIBILITY

1. PURPOSE. This section addresses the assignment of appropriate risk level and sensitivity level designations for VA positions and the commensurate scope of background investigations. These procedures apply to applicants, appointees, employees, and contract personnel within VA, for the accomplishment of the background investigation process in a timely and consistent manner.

2. POSITION RISK AND SENSITIVITY LEVEL DESIGNATIONS. VA positions are subject to suitability considerations relating to the efficiency and integrity of the Federal service. Some Department positions also include sensitivity considerations relating to national security.

a. Suitability considerations involve the assessment and designation of a position's risk level as it affects the efficiency and integrity of the Federal service. Determining an individual's suitability for Federal employment involves considerations of a person's character and conduct that may adversely impact the service. A position's risk level may also be referred to as a position's suitability designation.

b. Sensitivity considerations involve the assessment and designation of a position's sensitivity level as it affects national security. Determining an individual's eligibility for occupying a position with national security interests involves an assessment of the potential, by virtue of the nature and sensitivity level of the position, for an individual's conduct to have an adverse impact on national security. A position's sensitivity level may also be referred to as a position's sensitivity designation.

c. All position risk level and sensitivity level designations must be recorded on VA Form 2280, Position Sensitivity Level Designation, to be filed on the permanent side of the Official Personnel Folder (OPF) or, for Title 38 employees who have personnel folders, the Merged Records Personnel Folder (MRPF). This form may be accessed through the VA's Intranet at the following address and is available in Acrobat Adobe image for print and fill or in JetForm filler for those who have JetForm software loaded on their workstation.

d. The Security and Investigations Center will send a letter to appointees or employees in Public Trust or national security positions to inform each individual of the level of clearance granted and the effective date. A copy of this letter will be concurrently provided to the organization that requested and was billed for the investigation.

e. Appendix A of this handbook will be used to determine these designations.

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