The job market in the IS industry is flooded.  Many available jobs are
in the private sector for government agencies, however require a TOP
Secret Clearance or "TOP SECRET/SCI CLEARANCE" or "Position requires
the possession of an active TS/SCI security clearance."  How does one
obtain this clearance to be considered for these opportunities?

Hi there,

After searching for "top secret" clearance on Google I found an
article at http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/careers/2002/01318600.html
which explains: "So how do you go about obtaining security clearance?
Unfortunately, individuals aren’t allowed to apply on their own
behalf. The request must come from an employer".

This Washington post article linked from the above article describes
the 6-18 month process -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A27050-2002Mar27&notFound=true

Google's cache of the Defense Security Services FAQ page can be found
here: ://www.google.ca/search?q=cache:qhFgQAPUu3wC:www.dss.mil/aboutdss/faq.htm+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
(the DSS' site is really slow) This site describes what the DSS is,
what a clearance is and how one is obtained, among other things.

Hope that's what you're looking for!
Deadlychiapet-ga

Google search terms used:
"top secret" clearance

No question about it. The request MUST come from the employer.

Look here for more info:
http://www.lanl.gov/security/clearances/