Starting over in Huntsville (transfer, contractor, college)

[BlackLightning2010]

Hey everyone.

I'm from the DC area and I have had a hard time securing a permanent job in the IT field up here, largely due to the fact that I have no clearance.

I was thinking of relocating to Huntsville (or a few other cities) because of the low cost of living and because I heard that there are a plethora of IT jobs up here. Although I do not know anyone in the area nor do I have a job lined up, I have a few thousand dollars saved up and I wanted to know the ins and outs of relocating there and being able to secure housing and employment.

[Mississippi Alabama Line]

They see you trollin'........

[RocketDawg]

Are you not able to get a clearance? You'll probably find the job requirements the same here as in Washington. I don't think I'd move until I have a job lined up.

[MisterEd51]

Originally Posted by RocketDawg

Are you not able to get a clearance? You'll probably find the job requirements the same here as in Washington. I don't think I'd move until I have a job lined up.

I don't understand the not having a clearance part.

When I got a job that required a clearance it was not until after I started the job that the employer requested a clearance from the government agency for me. Until the clearance was approved I was given other work outside the secure area. When the clearance was finally granted I could then enter the secured area and do the classified work I was hired for. If the clearance request took too long or was not granted the employer would most likely have fired me.

When I left that job my clearance was deactivated. However, if I got another job that required a clearance within two years it could quickly be reactivated. If the clearance had already expired the process would have to start all over.

The problem comes when an employer wants to hire somebody that already has a clearance. The only way that could be true is if the potential employee already had a job with a clearance. Then if the person changed employers the clearance could quickly be transferred.

The trick is to find that first job and get a clearance. If you leave that job just don't let the clearance expire. As long as you do that other employers will be more willing to hire you.

[maillemaker]

Can you get clearance as a private citizen to open up clearance jobs to you?

[sk8grd]

I would say given that I am in the same field is to get your Security + done and out of the way. If you have not taken the exam, find the time and take it. There are a ton of IT opportunities here but without the Sec + you will get passed over and in near every case the clearance will also depend on you having that cert done. Make sure its the most current version of the cert also. You get this done and the clearance secured and you will have to problem getting a job in Huntsville.

[Rick In Madison]

Originally Posted by maillemaker

Can you get clearance as a private citizen to open up clearance jobs to you?

No. You have to be sponsored by an employer who has contracts to perform classified work.

[Rick In Madison]

Originally Posted by sk8grd

I would say given that I am in the same field is to get your Security + done and out of the way. If you have not taken the exam, find the time and take it. There are a ton of IT opportunities here but without the Sec + you will get passed over and in near every case the clearance will also depend on you having that cert done. Make sure its the most current version of the cert also. You get this done and the clearance secured and you will have to problem getting a job in Huntsville.

Yep, 100% accurate. Even with a college education, it wouldn't hurt to also get certified for a specific operator system.

Many companies have froze hiring during the COVID teleworking unless the government customer is needing something very specific.

If you're a Linux system admin or a SQL dbase admin then shoot a DM to me. Assuming there isn't anything in your past that would prevent you from being able to granted a clearance, I could use you.

[MisterEd51]

Originally Posted by maillemaker

Can you get clearance as a private citizen to open up clearance jobs to you?

No. For example suppose a contractor get a government contract that involves classified information. The work is to be done by employees that might require different levels of security. Levels might include Confidential, Secret or Top Secret. When a new employee is hired for a job that requires a clearance his name is sent to the government agency so he can be investigated. If the investigation is completed with a positive result the employee is given the appropriate clearance.

Like I said if a person either does not the appropriate clearance or his clearance has expired he is confined to only looking for a job from an employer that is willing to hire the employee and wait for the clearance to be approved. If the employer is not willing to wait for that to happen then applying for a job with that company is a waste of time.

[maillemaker]

No. For example suppose a contractor get a government contract that involves classified information. The work is to be done by employees that might require different levels of security. Levels might include Confidential, Secret or Top Secret.

Well, seems to me if a private individual could get a clearance on their own get Top Secret or all three and then you're good to go.