What are the responsibilities and job description for the Security Assistant position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
The Security Assistant performs security-related functions in support of a Network Personnel Suitability and Credentialing Program within a shared services unit.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 10/05/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-05 Minimum Qualifications: 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 include applying regulations - policies - procedures - or principles; providing guidance to customers; and entering employee information via various computer databases.. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have four (4) years of education above high school. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first two years of college-level education. GS-06 Minimum Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience include applying regulations - policies - procedures - or principles; providing technical advice and guidance to customers; entering - extracting - and evaluating employee information via various computer databases; and maintaining databases from a variety of sources. GS-07 Minimum Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-06) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience include applying regulations - policies - procedures - principles and/or concepts that govern personnel security; providing technical advice and guidance to customers; entering - extracting - and evaluating employee information via various computer databases; dealing with highly charged emotional situations; and maintaining databases from a variety of sources. 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/. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. The work is sedentary. Typically - the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However - there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers - small boxes - or books. Work Environment: The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices - meeting and training rooms - or libraries. The work area is adequately lit - heated - and ventilated.
Duties
The Security Assistant performs security-related functions in support of a Network Personnel Suitability and Credentialing Program within a shared services unit.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 10/05/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-05 Minimum Qualifications: 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 include applying regulations - policies - procedures - or principles; providing guidance to customers; and entering employee information via various computer databases.. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have four (4) years of education above high school. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first two years of college-level education. GS-06 Minimum Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience include applying regulations - policies - procedures - or principles; providing technical advice and guidance to customers; entering - extracting - and evaluating employee information via various computer databases; and maintaining databases from a variety of sources. GS-07 Minimum Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-06) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience include applying regulations - policies - procedures - principles and/or concepts that govern personnel security; providing technical advice and guidance to customers; entering - extracting - and evaluating employee information via various computer databases; dealing with highly charged emotional situations; and maintaining databases from a variety of sources. 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/. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. The work is sedentary. Typically - the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However - there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers - small boxes - or books. Work Environment: The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices - meeting and training rooms - or libraries. The work area is adequately lit - heated - and ventilated.
Duties
- Major duties include but are not limited to: Review position risk sensitivity levels as full assistant to the Personnel Security Specialist
- For pre-employment processes - serves as the initial point of contact for new appointees including but not limited to paid or without compensation employees - volunteers - students - residents - and contractors
- Initiates - reviews and releases appointees background investigations in the National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) system or in conjunction with the VA-Adjudication Center (VA-AC)
- Regularly monitors the status of specific pending items - compiles data to produce reports - follows up to determine status and records results
- Maintains logs of current employees who are in public trust positions and ensures reinvestigations are initiated - reviewed and released using NBIS within the required timeframe as per policy
- As needed - works with applicants who may be experiencing difficulties with completion of electronic forms related to the background screening process
- Takes and transmits electronic fingerprints for appointees or when the FBI returns fingerprints unclassifiable for various reasons
- Enters appropriate data in required databases related to an appointee's suitability from a wide variety of sources - i.e. - fingerprint/badge log - notification(s) of investigation(s) scheduled by OPM - requests by OPM for additional information - receipt/disposition of results of both Special Agreement Checks (SAC's) and National Agency Check with Inquiry (T1's) or higher - to include interim reports or pending completion reports - assignment for adjudication and final disposition of the investigation
- Responsible for assisting in the execution of personnel security-related functions as they relate to VA Subjects in Veterans Affairs Centralized Adjudication and Background Investigation System (VA-CABS)
- Support the programming of PIV cards after being manufactured
- Performs administrative tasks associated with the authorization and issuance of the PIV card - a standardized identification badge designed to increase security related with physical access to Federal facilities and networks and logical access to computer systems
- Maintains required files related to the suitability process in accordance with OPM/agency guidelines
- Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory - qualification - and performance requirements are met
- Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level
- Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position
- Position Description/PD#: Security Assistant/PD99952S - PD99654S - and PD99653S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
- This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
- As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
- This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
- This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
Salary : $40,736 - $65,599