Coordinating Office for Global Health
Frequently Asked Questions
If I am selected, will I have to undergo a background investigation?
Overseas employment in the federal government require at a secret or top secret security clearance. The clearance process considers such factors as registration for the Selective Service; failure to repay a U.S. government-guaranteed student loan; past problems with credit or bankruptcy; failure to meet tax obligations; unsatisfactory employment records; violations of the law, drug or alcohol abuse; as well as a less-than-honorable discharge from the armed forces. Investigations, which usually take two to four months, include current and previous neighbors, supervisors and coworkers. Depending on the nature of the job, you may begin work on a provisional basis, pending completion of the clearance process.
Page last modified: July 30, 2007