Designation of National Security Positions

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is proposing to revise its regulation regarding designation of national security positions. This proposed rule is one of a number of initiatives OPM has undertaken to simplify and streamline the system of Federal Government investigative and adjudicative processes to make them more efficient and as equitable as possible. The purpose of this revision is to clarify the requirements and procedures agencies should observe when designating national security positions as required under E.O. 10450, Security Requirements for Government Employment. The proposed regulations maintain the current standard which defines a national security position as "any position in a department or agency, the occupant of which could bring about, by virtue of the nature of the position, a material adverse effect on the national security." The purpose of the revisions is to clarify the categories of positions which, by virtue of the nature of their duties, have the potential to bring about a material adverse impact on the national security, whether or not the positions require access to classified information. Another purpose of the amendments is to acknowledge, for greater clarity, complementary requirements set forth in part 731, Suitability, so that every position is properly designated with regard to both public trust risk and national security sensitivity considerations, both of which are necessary for determining appropriate investigative requirements. Finally, the proposed rule clarifies when reinvestigation of individuals in national security positions is required.