By Suzanne Kubota
Senior Internet Editor
FederalNewsRadio.com

DISA is moving quickly, both literally and figuratively.

As part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, the Defense Information Systems Agency is relocating 4,300 jobs, and the people who do them, from Northern Virginia to Ft. Meade, Maryland.

But not everyone may want to make the trip. Jack Penkoske, DISA’s director of Manpower, Personnel and Security, told Federal News Radio some of the employees, “particularly those that live in Northern Virginia, may look at other opportunities” for employment.

So this Saturday the agency will hold a career expo to fill the ranks.

In order to get that done, said Penkoske, forget anything you’ve ever heard about it taking forever to get a security clearance.

We have what we think is one of the best track records in the federal government. For secret clearances, we, our security division, averages approving interim secret clearances, if there’s no issues in the person’s background, in an average of ten days.

The career expo, scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 17 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the McGill Training Center on Fort George G. Meade, Maryland is “for all grade levels,” said Penoske, from interns through senior level.

Interviews will be conducted with hiring managers and special workshops will also be offered on DISA’s entry level intern and student employment programs.

This is an opportunity for DISA to “do a lot of recruiting and, actually, a lot of hiring,” said Penkoske.

While DISA is a “technical organization” a wide range of jobs will be available, from IT and computer jobs to financial and budget analysts.

Pre-registration has advantages, including easier access to the base, and can be done online. To be considered for employment, individuals must – at a minimum – be U.S. citizens and eligible to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

A photo ID is absolutely required to enter Ft. Meade.

Bring lots and lots of resumes, said Penkoske.

And some candidates should be prepared for a very quick transition into DISA-life.

If a manager has an interest at the career expo on Saturday, the process could start the beginning of next week for doing the background check. And again, it’s all done electronically now online, so it can really go quick. Even with some back and forth if records have to be cleared and some things have to be clarified in the person’s application, it can still be done in a matter of two weeks or less.

For more about careers at DISA, including a resume guide, click here.

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