Summary This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Security & Preparedness (OSP), VA Police Service. The position monitors and receives routine and emergency calls from a variety of sources that need police, fire, medical, or other emergency services. The work includes various police operations duties involving different and unrelated processes and methods. The position is primarily responsible for addressing alarms & monitoring computers for video surveillance. Responsibilities Duties include the following: Performs alarm and access monitoring; traces access patterns; programs; assigns or removes user permissions; updates databases; remotely opens and secures doors during routine and emergency operations; and generates a variety of reports as needed. Assesses on-scene behavior and determines when it is appropriate to dispatch law enforcement or other personnel to investigate. Responsible for responding to alarm systems monitoring fire, access, intrusion, duress/panic, medical emergencies, psychiatric emergencies, medical assist teams, etc., and the emergency digital paging system. Implements policies, procedures, and methods for identifying and protecting information, personnel, property, facilities, operations, or material. Performs administrative (non-criminal) investigations of lost keys, passes, and PIV cards to rapidly assess and document compromised access to VA property and terminate off-access permissions. The position 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; determines what notifications are necessary based upon event @type, makes such notifications, and coordinates follow-up communications. Receives and processes emergency calls, maintains contact with law enforcement units on assignment, maintains the status and location of Police Officers, and coordinates communication between agencies as needed. Receives and compiles information from various sources related to police and emergency incidents, taking appropriate actions regarding intrusion, duress, and holdup alarms. Directs response and/or modifies the responsible personnel depending on the @type of incident or request. Operates a variety of communications and security equipment, such as computers, multi-frequency radios, multi-line telephone systems, and other related peripherals. Operates a variety of communications equipment, telephones, and computer systems to support both routine and emergency operations. Performs system checks on a variety of equipment used in the dispatch center. Troubleshoots systems when problems arise and resolves issues whenever possible. Conducts equipment inventories and completes records and other logs. Performs monthly alarm checks and 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 the state and the National Crime Information Computer (NCIC) to access sensitive law enforcement information to support field operations and investigations. Queries for items such as criminal histories, arrest warrants, driver's records, vehicle registrations, stolen property, firearms, etc. Uses the VA Police Software to research information, complete reports and logs, vehicle registrations, etc. Compiles and prepares reports related to events occurring in the operation of the police control center for the dissemination of the completed products to various management officials. Generates police reports for routine, noncriminal cases such as lost property, missing patients, etc. Processes Courtesy Violations Notices (CVN) and US District Court Violation Notices (USDCVN) in accordance with established policies. Gathers information and completes reports when local incidents rise to the level requiring notification to the VA Integrated Operations Center. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Determined by leadership Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Security Assistant/PD00220A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved 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. 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, 11/05/2026. 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-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: 1) Knowledge of security or law enforcement objectives and programs; 2) Performing support tasks related to law enforcement and security administration; 3) Monitor and respond to physical alarm systems and security cameras; 4) Watch and direct responses to security and life safety communications; 5) Observe computers for video surveillance; and 6) Maintain reports and logs. OR, 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 the high school level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate 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 NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed post high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e. beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. Physical: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. 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/.
