Summary This position is located in a VISN 4 facility Police Department. The position initiates and accomplishes a variety of complex communications and security related duties such as: answering emergency phone lines, dispatching police to emergencies, operating the facility overhead paging system during medical emergencies, monitoring panic alarm system, monitoring intrusion alarm system, monitoring closed circuit camera system, issuing visitor badges, and granting PIV card access to employees. Responsibilities Physical Security Support (35%) Performs alarm and access monitoring, tracing access patterns, programming, assigning or removing user permissions, updating databases, remotely opening and securing doors during routine and emergency operations and generating a variety of reports as needed. Implements policies, procedures, and methods for identifying and protecting information, personnel, property, facilities, operations, or material. Operates an established vehicle registration and visitor management program and parking registration and/or photo identification equipment. Issues and retrieves government issued keys and/or identification cards. Reviews requests for and issues passes and identification documents. Maintains accurate key inventory and accountability database. Maintains accountability of Police Officer badges issued and all associated logs. Performs administrative (non-criminal) investigations of lost keys, passes, and PIV cards for rapid assessment and documentation of any compromised access to VA property and termination of off access permissions. Communications (35%) Monitors and receives routine and emergency calls from a variety of sources that need police, fire, medical or other emergency services. Determines the nature and location of the emergency; prioritizes events and commits police resources appropriately. Maintains contact with law enforcement units on assignment. Maintains status and location of Police Officers and coordinates communication between agencies as needed. Answers nonemergency calls for assistance. Monitors and directs responses to security and life safety communications, radio dispatches, telephone calls, and other emergency communication circuits. Receives and compiles information from various sources related to police and emergency incidents. Operates a variety of communications and security equipment. Operations Support (30%) Performs system checks on a variety of equipment used in the dispatch center. Conducts equipment inventories and completes records and other logs. Performs monthly alarm checks, submits reports documenting the operational status of each circuit tested. Enters, updates and retrieves information from a variety of computer systems and sensitive databases. Uses state and the National Crime Information Computer (NCIC) to access sensitive law enforcement information to support field operations and investigations. Coordinates health and welfare checks with outside law enforcement agencies. Completes vehicle registration tasks and issues decals and permits as authorized by policy. Performing other work as necessary Work Schedule: Days/Nights 8 & 12 hour shifts, weekends and holidays may be required. Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: This position is not eligible for telework. . Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Security Assistant/PD99858S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/23/2026.You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Specialized experience includes: the use of various computer, automation systems; computer skills in terms of data entry, compiling information, preparing and submitting reports, and database maintenance and management; maintaining confidentiality of information, both electronic and print; and communication and interpersonal relation skills sufficient to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers both verbally and in writing. Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 4 years of education above high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. (This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school.) TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED IF YOU ARE USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education such as: education that is less than described above, and specialized experience that is less than described above. (For GS-5 level positions, only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED IF YOU ARE USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY Applicants for This Position Must be Able to Pass Certain Background Requirements as Outlined Below Security Assistants need to be eligible to gain access to, and maintain access to, the Pennsylvania Justice Network and connected systems (CLEAN/NCIC). Users of these system may not have Significant Convictions, which are defined as: Conviction or under indictment for any felony Conviction for any misdemeanor 1 (M1) or equivalently graded crimes code classification Conviction and incarceration for any misdemeanors within last ten years Conviction for any two misdemeanors within the last ten years Conviction for any computer related crime, tampering with public records, or unlawful access to stored communications You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Customer Service Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary in nature in an office environment. Most duties can be accomplished from a sitting position. The mental stress is much more demanding than the physical stress because of the split decisions that must be made as a police or fire alarm activates, telephones ringing, and radio communication requesting instructions or information. Must have a keen sense of hearing in responding to numerous audible/visual signals of wire communication receivers, and occasionally weak radio transmissions or signals. Must be able to multi-task in a stressful environment. Work Environment: Performs duties in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment at a radio/telephone console with associated equipment. Systems and equipment are electronic in nature, emitting signals, and tones of varying degrees of intensity. The area is confining, with a normal noise level. The room is subject to being cooler than normal because of glass exterior walls, and fans to cool the SSTV Systems. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
