Are Cleared Remote Jobs Disappearing?

Does it feel like it is becoming harder and harder to find a job that is remote or even hybrid? Not only is it hard to find them, but it also feels even harder to be hired at one of these ‘unicorn’ positions, especially being in the cleared space. Are remote jobs disappearing? Are cleared jobs becoming a thing of the COVID-era past?

Lack of workers vs Lack of Jobs

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, “If the percentage of people participating in the labor force were the same as in February 2020, we would have millions more people in the workforce today—and this shortage is impacting all industries in nearly every state. If every unemployed worker took an open job in their industry, there would still be millions of open jobs..”

What this means is that even though the jobs are out there, and yes, even the ‘cleared jobs’, there are just not enough workers looking to fill those positions. The next step after that is figuring out where the remote jobs are, and why those are becoming so hard to find and get. The answer is simple, most workers want that dream remote job. According to another study from the Chamber of Commerce back in 2022, “about half (49%) are not willing to take jobs that do not offer the opportunity for remote work.”

Only 8% of job listings in the first quarter of 2024 were fully remote, according to data from management consulting firm Robert Half—a 3% drop from the fourth quarter of 2023. This means that remote jobs, not just those for people with security clearances are not necessarily going away, but there are some evolving trends and considerations that could impact their availability.

Looking for Remote Jobs

Here are a few other factors to consider, when pursuing a remote cleared position.

Government and Contractor Policies

Many government agencies and contractors have traditionally required cleared personnel to work on-site due to the sensitive nature of the information they handle. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant shift toward remote work, even for some cleared positions. As the pandemic wanes, there has been a mix of returning to the office and continuing remote work, depending on the specific agency or contractor policies.

Security Concerns

Remote work for cleared personnel introduces challenges related to maintaining the security of classified information. Agencies and contractors may be more cautious about allowing remote work, especially if they don’t have a way to ensure that classified information remains secure outside a controlled environment. For many agencies in national security, remote work isn’t an option.

Technology Advancements

Advances in secure communication technologies, such as secure VPNs and encrypted communication channels, have made remote work more feasible for some cleared positions. This trend could continue to support remote work for cleared professionals, especially for positions that do not require physical access to classified materials.

Workforce Demand

The demand for cybersecurity professionals and other roles that require security clearances remains high. Employers may need to offer flexible work arrangements, including remote work, to attract and retain top talent, especially in a competitive job market.

Hybrid Work Models

A hybrid work model, where employees split their time between remote work and on-site work, is becoming increasingly popular. For cleared positions, this might mean working remotely for certain tasks and coming on-site for others that require access to classified information.

Be Flexible in Your Job Search

While some remote jobs for people with security clearances might be reduced, especially as some organizations return to traditional work settings, the trend is not uniform. Remote work can and will remain a viable option for some companies, but you may not want to stake your entire career on that fact. There will likely continue to be opportunities for remote or hybrid work in the cleared space, especially for roles that can be effectively supported with secure technologies.

As technology becomes more integrated into remote and cleared job opportunities, the openings should increase, but it is always smart to be prepared for any outcome and the potential return to office management decision.