Updated Guidance on Security Clearances.pdf

Guidance on Security Clearances Needed by Contractors for the REL 2022-27 Cycle

REL contractors will need different levels of clearance, depending on their position and level of risk.

Staff requiring moderate level clearances will be those who1:

• Handle any data record-level data on students or staff, regardless of whether it contains PII, and any aggregated data on students or staff that would allow the re-identification of specific individuals.

• Do any work—including meeting with stakeholders—in schools or other places where children are present.

• Supervise staff that require a moderate level clearance.

Staff requiring low level clearances will be those who:

• Have access to the RPR SharePoint or WWC Online SRG applications2, and whose responsibilities do not fit any of the criteria for moderate level clearance above.

All contractor and subcontractor staff must be assigned an official position description for the purposes of the REL contract. The official position descriptions and levels are:

Title Description of Relevant Responsibilities Risk Level

Director Leads the managerial team in planning, conducting, monitoring, and evaluating the work. Ensures all requirements are met and work meets IES standards.

Supervises staff with moderate level clearance, has access to RPR SharePoint and may work in places where children are present.

Moderate

Deputy Director Oversees the day-to-day operations of the REL to ensure all aspects of REL projects meet technical requirements, are on schedule, and within budget. Supervises staff with moderate level clearance, has access to RPR SharePoint, and may work in places where children are present.

Moderate

Principal Investigator/ Researcher I

Leads the project team in planning and conducting research, analyzes data, presents results, and provides technical assistance on studies. Has access to RPR SharePoint and may work in places where children are present. May supervise other Principal Investigator/Researchers or Research Analysts and have access to the online SRG.

Moderate

1 Please note that during the REL 2022-2027 contract cycle, REL contractors will not need to access the IES Data Center to develop and maintain REL websites. There will be a separate contractor who will receive content from the REL contractors and will create and maintain the REL websites. In addition, there will be no REL Intranet site as there has been in previous REL cycles.

2 RPR SharePoint is the site that is used for the RELs to submit Task 5 proposals and draft reports or tools for peer review. Online SRGs (Study Review Guides) are necessary for reviews of research under Subtask 5.6.

Principal Investigator Researcher II

Plans and conducts research, analyzes data, presents results, and provides technical assistance on studies. Has access to RPR SharePoint and may work in schools or places where children are present. May supervise Research Analysts. May have access to the online SRG.

Moderate

Data Collection Coordinator/Collector

Oversees data collection and collects data. May meet with staff in schools or places where children are present.

Moderate

Research Analyst I Conducts statistical analyses of data and provides support to research staff in collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data. May also have access to the RPR SharePoint and/or the online

SRG.

Moderate

Research Analyst II Has access to the online SRG and/or RPR SharePoint, but does not have access to, collect, clean, or analyze record-level student or staff data, or aggregated data that could allow for the re-identification of individuals under the REL contract, and does not work in places where children are present.

Low

Information/Communication Specialist I

Plans and executes communication strategy about the REL's work. This includes planning events, webinars, infographics, and blogs. Supervises other information/ communication specialists.

No risk

Information/Communication Specialist II

Executes communication strategy about the REL's work. This includes planning events, webinars, infographics, and blogs.

No risk

Program Assistant Provides administrative or project management assistance. No risk

Technical Assistance Specialist I

Plans and/or executes technical assistance activities such as coaching, events, and trainings. May work in schools or places where children are present.

Moderate

Technical Assistance Specialist II

Plans and/or technical assistance activities such as coaching, events, and trainings. Has no access to the RPR SharePoint or online SRG and does not work in schools or places where children are present.

No risk

Corporate Security Liaison Assigns contract personnel as applicants for security clearances, reviews and submits documents required for security screening, and removes personnel from contract if necessary. Has access to personally identifiable information and security screening status information for contractor personnel through IES’ ICAM system.

Moderate