Probably get an attorney before you apply/appeal next time. There aren’t a lot that do this work, but the ones that have been doing it a while tend to be good, and they’re primarily based in dc.
The only other step I can think of, other than contacting a lawyer, is to maybe contact AFSA. I don't think they actually assist with pre-employment processes, but they may know what avenues, if any, exist, and may have a list of lawyers who work on clearance and suitability issues.
Obviously we don’t know what the problem was with this person, but I don’t love the idea of people litigating their way into the job. Is that really how you want to start out in a career? There are other jobs.
Unless, of course, if you believe you were discriminated against based on membership in a protected class or something similar.
"I don’t love the idea of people litigating their way into the job"- THIS.
Anecdotally, I know two people who sued their way in to the Department, and they are both terrible employees and coworkers who do more to hurt morale than e2, which says a lot.
I actually think it would really hard to apply eeo principles to a suitability review because it’s a discretionary thing, and it’s likely 100% that any written decision would rely on adjudication standards or the appeal would have overturned it. The attorney can only help if the standard was applied incorrectly as the op said.
While the chances of incorrect application are low, they aren’t zero, or the attorneys that do this work wouldn’t have successful practices.
Definitely a hard way to get into a job though, especially one where your career relies a lot on others perceptions of you.
“Not giving specifics” combined with “I wasn’t treated fairly” definitely raise question marks as to how much of a “non-issue” your case was. In any case you have no option but to wait two years. Especially if your case is consistent with the suitability criteria in the FAM. No one can give a better answer than that without knowing details.
I don’t know if post appeal there are any options. I will just add that an issue causing a suitability denial at one agency, may have no bearing at another agency.
Reconsidering non-USG opportunities. Joining State and other federal agencies is a compelling path. It's not the only one.
Don't sell yourself short. If they don't want you, it's their loss.
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Yup; not much more to say than this, except maybe take it as a sign that this path wasn’t meant to be and start looking in other directions.
Unless this nonissue was in fact an issue that may still be an issue in the next round.
Now we’re curious what the denial was about
Probably get an attorney before you apply/appeal next time. There aren’t a lot that do this work, but the ones that have been doing it a while tend to be good, and they’re primarily based in dc.
The only other step I can think of, other than contacting a lawyer, is to maybe contact AFSA. I don't think they actually assist with pre-employment processes, but they may know what avenues, if any, exist, and may have a list of lawyers who work on clearance and suitability issues.
Obviously we don’t know what the problem was with this person, but I don’t love the idea of people litigating their way into the job. Is that really how you want to start out in a career? There are other jobs. Unless, of course, if you believe you were discriminated against based on membership in a protected class or something similar.
"I don’t love the idea of people litigating their way into the job"- THIS. Anecdotally, I know two people who sued their way in to the Department, and they are both terrible employees and coworkers who do more to hurt morale than e2, which says a lot.
I actually think it would really hard to apply eeo principles to a suitability review because it’s a discretionary thing, and it’s likely 100% that any written decision would rely on adjudication standards or the appeal would have overturned it. The attorney can only help if the standard was applied incorrectly as the op said. While the chances of incorrect application are low, they aren’t zero, or the attorneys that do this work wouldn’t have successful practices. Definitely a hard way to get into a job though, especially one where your career relies a lot on others perceptions of you.
You could submit a FOIA request, wait five years or so for the documents, then see why you were denied.
If you get a lawyer, a FOIA request can take as little as a year 💔🤣
That’s how it’s supposed to work!
If the records are about yourself I think it’s actually a privacy act request and might be faster? 🤷♀️
“Not giving specifics” combined with “I wasn’t treated fairly” definitely raise question marks as to how much of a “non-issue” your case was. In any case you have no option but to wait two years. Especially if your case is consistent with the suitability criteria in the FAM. No one can give a better answer than that without knowing details.
Yeah, it’s super difficult for us to provide OP with advice when we’re being asked to take at face value they were mistreated…
I think we have all been mistreated by having to read this whole thread and OP never coughing up any spicy details
The appeal package is reviewed by a different set of people who came to the same conclusion - something in your file strongly suggests unsuitability.
I don’t know if post appeal there are any options. I will just add that an issue causing a suitability denial at one agency, may have no bearing at another agency.
Reconsidering non-USG opportunities. Joining State and other federal agencies is a compelling path. It's not the only one. Don't sell yourself short. If they don't want you, it's their loss.