Kathleen Smith 00:51
Hello everyone, and welcome back to another episode of Security Cleared Jobs: Who's Hiring and How. I'm Kathleen Smith with ClearedJobs.Net, and I'm joined in our studio by my wonderful, fabulous, stupendous co-host, Rachel. How are you doing today?

Rachel Bozeman 01:08
I was good, but now I'm fantastic. Thank you for that warm introduction, and thank you to all the listeners for being with us today. We have a fantastic guest that I cannot wait to hear from, and I know you can't wait to hear from. Kathleen, make us stop waiting. Who is here?

Kathleen Smith 01:28
Drum roll, please. In the studio today with us is Kara Waters, Talent Acquisition Manager at JT4. Welcome to the studio, Kara.

Kara Waters 01:38
Good morning. Thank you so much for having me.

Rachel Bozeman 01:41
We are so excited that you're here and eager to learn more about you so our listeners know about you and JT4. Do you mind sharing a little about your background and the role you play at JT4?

Kara Waters 01:54
Absolutely. I've been with JT4 for six years, which feels like centuries, but really isn't that long. Before JT4, I worked in various recruiter roles at different companies, both technical and business recruiting, across all types of roles. I graduated from the University of San Diego with a bachelor's in international politics. After studying abroad and learning about politics, I realized politics wasn't for me. My career grew organically. I explored different companies and gained diverse experiences to find where I fit in. It took a few years, and I don't regret it at all because I ended up at JT4, where I'm so happy to be. My role is Talent Acquisition Manager for JT4. I've been in this role for a little over two years, leading a team of four recruiters and a fabulous marketing coordinator. We love what we do and are passionate about bringing bright, vibrant talent to JT4.

Kathleen Smith 02:58
Kara, thank you for explaining organic career growth to our audience. Many think career development is a linear process. Early in my career, I adopted what I called the jungle gym approach. You still get to the top, but sometimes you move laterally or diagonally to learn new skills. Even with international politics, I'm sure you've learned to be diplomatic, negotiate, and communicate.

Kara Waters 03:32
It's definitely okay to take your time and figure it out. I wish someone had told me in college, "Hey, it's okay. Don't let the anxiety and pressure of the world get to you." If you take your time, try different employers, and meet different people, you'll find where you're comfortable and fit in.

Kathleen Smith 03:51
Awesome. Please explain two things. First, what does JT4 do in the cleared community? Then, what does JT4 stand for?

Kara Waters 04:03
Absolutely. JT4 stands for Joint Test Tactics, Training, and Technology. We were formerly JT3. We had a 15-year contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, supporting the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Space Force. In 2018, we were re-extended for another 15-year contract, showing the Department of Defense is happy with our work. We love supporting them. As a defense contractor, we support the J-Tech II contract. Our mission is to prepare our warfighters to be safe in battle, developing integrated test and training tactics. They come to the ranges to practice dogfighting, radar systems, satellite systems, and various missions we help implement. We hire everyone from electrical engineers to cybersecurity analysts to former air traffic controllers, who take on roles like mission ops controllers, overseeing airspace to ensure it's clear and safe from commercial or private aircraft.

Rachel Bozeman 05:20
So many things, in fact. I was sleuthing on your career page and saw you offer many paths based on someone's specialty or career expansion. About 75% of those seem technical in nature. Could you tell us about the skill sets and roles you're actively hiring for?

Kara Waters 05:48
This is what we love to talk about as recruiters. Electrical engineers and electronics technicians are always at the top of the list. We seek engineers with an ABET-accredited engineering degree. If you're an engineer wondering if you're eligible for a position at JT4, we highly seek that ABET degree. In some cases, without an ABET degree, we can consider you for other opportunities, like a higher-level field engineer. We also look for electronics technicians knowledgeable in AC/DC, able to troubleshoot down to the component level. We're seeking cybersecurity personnel with certifications like CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker. For entry-level roles, you don't need extensive experience. If you're fresh out of college with an associate's degree in applied science or internship experience, we'll consider you. Entry-level at JT4 is truly entry-level, but we expect you to pass a technical phone screen and answer additional technical questions during the on-site interview.

Rachel Bozeman 07:17
While perusing your lovely career site, everyone should check it out. I noticed a map showing the locations of your opportunities. I understand you're in sunny, hot, lovely Las Vegas, but where are the other positions located?

Kara Waters 07:38
Our corporate office is in Las Vegas, Nevada. We also have locations in California at Edwards Air Force Base, China Lake Range, and Point Mugu Range. We have positions in Northern Las Vegas at Nellis Air Force Base and out at Point Bravo. We have positions in Colorado at the Space Test and Training Range, now called NSTTC—it used to be STTR. We also have positions in Utah at Hill Air Force Base. I’m probably missing one or two locations, but we’re primarily spread across those four states.

Kathleen Smith 08:16
That's great for everyone to hear because many associate security clearance with Washington, D.C. We love highlighting that positions supporting various missions exist throughout the country, not just inside the Beltway. I understand most of your cleared positions require a Top Secret (TS) or higher clearance, but you can also clear folks who meet your hiring needs. Explain what people need to have to be hired and considered for clearance.

Kara Waters 09:01
I love that you asked this, Kathleen, because it’s so important for JT4. During a phone interview, we ask preliminary questions, but it’s good to know this ahead of time. We deal with national security, so extensive foreign contacts—non-U.S. citizens, regardless of work permit or visa status—are considered foreign contacts. If you have an extensive network of such contacts, we’ll investigate further during the clearance process, which might cause issues depending on the extent. We also look for criminal history—felonies are problematic, as are DUIs with probation. Serious, prolonged debt, financial troubles, or mental health hospitalizations are examined. Some questions are personal but critical for the clearance process.

Kathleen Smith 10:15
Marijuana may be legal in some states, but its usage is still a federal violation, so be aware. Regarding foreign contacts, this includes people you’re friends with on social media. We’re not saying this is bad; we’re explaining the parameters examined during the security clearance process.

Kara Waters 10:50
Thank you for touching on marijuana—it’s a big issue we encounter. It’s legal in many states and widely available, but it’s still federally illegal.

Kathleen Smith 11:04
No worries. Rachel, what’s next?

Rachel Bozeman 11:09
If we’re digressing for education, I say we digress. That was a beautiful digression. I want to talk about your referral program. I know you have an interesting and great referral program. Could you tell us more?

Kara Waters 11:32
At JT4, we highly value referrals and have a thriving referral program. If you’re a current employee and refer someone to JT4, you’ll receive a monetary bonus. The bonus varies based on the position’s criticality and whether the person already has a clearance, which is a huge benefit because they can start quicker. If you don’t have a clearance, no big deal. As long as you’re eligible, we’ll run the investigation, which takes eight to 12 months. During that time, you’ll work at our corporate office, earning your full salary, benefiting everyone.

Kathleen Smith 12:29
Awesome. Referrals are part of the company culture. Great people want to share that and bring others in. What should people understand about JT4’s company culture?

Kara Waters 12:48
JT4 is a company for those seeking a deep sense of purpose. We deal with national security, often working on highly classified missions, which bonds people together. We have a closely knit work culture, especially on the ranges. Whether at our corporate office or various Air Force bases, we all support the same mission: keeping our warfighters safe and agile in battle. If you don’t have a clearance, you’ll start at our corporate office, where you may not be as busy initially, but supervisors meet with you regularly and assign projects. We have fun activities like Thursday burger burns with vegetarian options, food trucks, holiday parties, and luncheons to keep it lively.

Rachel Bozeman 14:12
Interesting and fun, which is the perfect segue. I heard a story, Kara, that you recruited someone during a ballet class. Was it during a plié?

Kara Waters 14:37
You can recruit anywhere—that’s what I love about my job. I can strike up a conversation at the grocery store and talk about JT4, maybe leading to an interview. I’m a dancer, trained extensively in classical ballet through the Royal Academy of Dance curriculum. Not everyone knows this, but I teach ballet to students up to age 18. I was in a local dance ensemble and met someone wonderful and smart. I could tell she’d be a great fit for JT4, matched her with a position, and she’s still there today. If they’re the right fit, it works out.

Rachel Bozeman 15:42
Some teams have softball leagues; maybe you could start a dance troupe or a flash mob. I think it’s a good idea—take it!

Kathleen Smith 15:52
I think Kara spoke with someone else on our team, Courtney, whom I recruited in a yoga class. You can tell a lot about someone outside the work environment. I have a question on job search, and Rachel has one too. Mine is basic: What job search advice would you provide our listeners?

Kara Waters 16:18
No matter where you are in your journey, stay determined and don’t let the process get you down. Applying to many positions is stressful—I’ve been there. As a recruiting manager, I’m empathetic and sensitive to candidates’ experiences. At JT4, our team strives to ensure clear communication and a streamlined process. It might sound cliché, but block out the noise and keep your chin up, as the process can bog you down if you let it.

Kathleen Smith 17:10
Job search is a personal, emotional process for candidates. For recruiters, it’s empathetic but also a business process. They review many resumes and talk to many people, and for emotional self-preservation, they can’t get deeply involved with each candidate. I hear the angst on discussion forums. It’s not personal—they won’t give you the job just because you want it. They want it to work for you and the company. Sometimes, recruiters must make hard decisions and say you’re not a fit.

Kara Waters 18:15
It’s horrible. I ask my team what they struggle with, and they always say rejecting a candidate is the hardest part. It’s my least favorite thing too.

Kathleen Smith 18:34
If there’s good rapport with a candidate, even if they don’t meet requirements, keep in touch. Recruiters don’t mind candidates staying connected. Job seekers should have five to seven recruiters in their network they resonate with. You never know—your skills or certifications might improve, or requirements might change. Always keep in touch. That’s the saving grace I share with candidates. Rachel, I know you have another great question.

Rachel Bozeman 19:44
Your recruiters are kind and looking out for your best interests. They also have great advice, like you mentioned, Kathleen. I want to take it further from your job search question and ask Kara about tips for cleared professionals on using AI in their job search.

Kara Waters 20:10
AI is a controversial topic, and I have mixed feelings, but there are pros and cons. If you use it to write your resume, proofread it afterward. I’ve seen wonky, robotic things. AI isn’t perfect—it can use the wrong job title or mess up dates. You can’t rely on it to do everything. It’s a refining tool to make things easier, not to do the job for you. Recruiters review countless resumes and can sniff out AI-generated ones versus those candidates spent time on.

Kathleen Smith 21:07
Writing a resume is probably as painful as an IRS audit. We’re doing ourselves a disservice if we don’t buckle down and write it. I’m glad you highlighted that AI is for fine-tuning, not writing all the content. It doesn’t know you intimately—your skills, strengths, or how you’ll excel. Word on the street is you’ve got great swag at JT4 for events. If I saw you at an event, what could I pick up?

Kara Waters 21:57
I love talking about our swag. We have JT4 aviator bears—adorable teddy bears with zip-up bomber jackets. We have nice tumblers, aluminum water bottles with bamboo lids, and a variety of pens, including erasable and fancy ones.

Kathleen Smith 22:24
You mentioned pens, and I know you support Space Force. In my childhood, the big thing was pens that could write in space. Do you have those?

Kara Waters 22:34
I know what you’re talking about! There’s a place in Boulder City selling space pens. I’ve been to the store. I wish we had them at JT4—they’re incredible. They’re sold just outside Las Vegas.

Rachel Bozeman 22:52
Pretty cool. You’ve got everyone excited about careers and maybe the swag too. If they want to contact you about a career or a cute aviator bear, how can our listeners reach you and your team?

Kara Waters 23:11
They can contact us via phone, email, or our website’s contact page, which goes to our careers email. The best email for job seekers is careers@jt4llc.com. We have various phone numbers—each of my four recruiters has an office line and cell phone, so that’s eight numbers, plus my two. I’m happy to provide this information.

Kathleen Smith 23:51
It’ll be in the show notes, or they can take one of your ballet classes, right?

Kara Waters 23:56
Absolutely.

Kathleen Smith 23:58
Kara, thank you so much for your time today. This was delightful.

Kara Waters 24:02
Thank you so much.

Kathleen Smith 24:05
Kara recruits for specialized skill sets, but I loved that she advised job seekers not to lean too much on AI. That’s a big industry conversation, and she said it best: it’s for refining your resume. Rachel, what advice from Kara did you like?

Rachel Bozeman 24:31
I loved the start of our conversation about her career path. It’s a reminder to listeners that you don’t have to have it figured out on your first day of college or after high school. It’s okay—it’ll take twists and turns. Stay the course and listen to where you want to be. It’ll be great. And you know what else will be great? You continuing to listen. Thank you for listening, friends. We appreciate you. Share this episode with friends and colleagues so they can benefit from this advice. Hit the follow button to catch next week’s show. Thanks again. Until next time, bye.