Contractor employees working on any FEMA contract that requires unescorted access to 
FEMA owned or controlled facilities; access to FEMA information technology (IT) systems and 
systems’ data; access to sensitive information; or access to disaster victim information must 
meet HSPD-12 requirements.  For some positions, FEMA will require a background 
investigation at the same level as the FEMA Federal employee in the same or similar position.

A.  All new contractor employees must have a current background investigation 
conducted by   FEMA or by another Federal agency where the employee previously 
worked. The Personnel Security Branch requires the contractor’s full name, DOB, and full 
SSN in order to confirm the current investigation submitted to Personnel Security on a Visit 
Authorization Request/Letter.
o	Prior investigation must be current, available, and at the requisite level.
o	There can not be a break in Federal service or assignment on a Federal contract in 
excess of two year.
o	Reciprocity will be used whenever possible.
?	If no prior investigation is available, the contract applicant requires an FBI fingerprint 
check conducted by FEMA Personnel Security, or approved location and determination of 
the appropriate type of background investigation (described in B.)

B.	Type of Background Investigation Required for Public Trust level positions.
?	Low Risk – Short term, less than 180 days requires a favorably adjudicated FBI 
fingerprint check  and Credit Check by the FEMA Personnel Security Branch.
?	Moderate Risk – For period of work on a FEMA contract for longer than 180 days 
requires a MBI and Credit or higher level of investigation. Employee may begin work after 
a favorable FBI fingerprint, Credit check and review of the SF 85P.
?	High Risk – For work on a FEMA contract for any period of time in the following list of 
positions requires a BI or higher level of investigation.

List of Common High Risk Positions

Accountable Property Officer
Accountant
Accounting Officer
Attorney
Branch Chief
Budget Analyst
Budget Officer
Certifying Technician/Officer
Computer Specialist/Officer
Contracting Officer
Contracting Specialist
Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR)
DISC Manager
Finance/Admin Branch Chief
Financial Management Specialist
Funds Control Technician
Information Technology (IT) Specialist
Logistics Management Specialist
Logistics Specialist	
Logistics/IT Branch Chief
Manager, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Field Support Teams
Network Technician/Specialist
Section Chief
Security Specialist (Physical, Personnel)
Senior Computer Specialist
Supervisory Logistics Management Specialist
Traffic Management Specialist
Any Public Trust position with a Government purchase card limit over $5,000.00

C.	Contractor employees requiring access to classified information are processed 
forcontract assignment through the Personnel Security Branch.

Questions may be directed to the Personnel Security Branch Customer Service Office at 
(202)646-3790

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“FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, 
sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.”

           
           May 2011


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