u/HazardousSeas

A little over 8 years ago I was fired from a defense contractor for disclosing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) on Reddit (old, deleted account). I learned my lesson and had taken remedial CUI, OPSEC, and social media training ethics courses at the time. Now, a bit over 8 years later I might be getting a job requiring a secret clearance (Tier 3). I plan to be 100% transparent about the firing and the events leading up to that firing, and things post firing (continued employment at a different defense contractor, no infractions, CAC issued, etc.). How big of a deal will this be? I don’t believe I have many other red flags and will be honest about past drug usage, as an example.

Do SME resume reviews occur after HR screening but before Hiring Manager referral? A Direct Hire Authority application of mine did not have an SME review step notification email. Below is my understanding:

Context from DHA announcement:
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Additionally, applicants will be evaluated using Structured Resume Reviews conducted by a panel of Subject Matter Experts. The reviews are in a Pass/Fail format and are conducted to ensure that the applicant meets the Specialized Experience required for the position and grade level.

Context from email:
The following is your referral status for the position or positions to which you applied:
You have been referred to the hiring manager for position ——— in ———.

If you have been referred to the selecting official for employment consideration, you may be contacted for an interview. If you were not referred, you were not found to be among the most highly qualified for the position.

Edit to add: Direct Hire Authority

I’m a former federal employee, quit in 2010. At that time I cashed out my TSP but I wasn’t fully vested, as I had only 1y10m service. Question is if I rejoin federal service, do I get credit for my prior service contribution to FERS and my agency’s matching contribution to TSP? I can’t check TSP, since they rebooted a few years ago and deleted accounts with zero balance. Other question: does prior service count to the vesting clock or will that reset?

I applied to a position that is under direct hire authority (DHA) that was open for the Public and Career Transition applicants. I am a general public applicant but also uploaded my Schedule A disability letter when applying (though it was not required). I was referred to the hiring manager. How does it work if I make it through the process, would I be offered a competitive service or excepted (schedule A) service appointment? Did I screw up with Schedule A if it wasn’t required, since Schedule A requires excepted service and 3 years of probation?