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Posted: March 3, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Security Assistant

Veterans Health Administration

Department of Veterans Affairs

Fresh

Salary

$40,736 - $52,957

per year

Closes

March 17, 2026More VA jobs →

GS-5 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $33,878 - $44,042

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience. Bachelor's degree.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working as a dispatcher in a veterans' hospital, where you'll monitor security systems, handle emergency calls, and direct police officers to respond to incidents like crimes or safety issues.

It's a behind-the-scenes role focused on quick communication and coordination to keep the facility safe.

A good fit would be someone with experience in dispatch or emergency services who stays calm under pressure and is comfortable with computers and radios.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience at GS-04 level (or equivalent), such as working as a public safety dispatcher or 911 operator monitoring and dispatching emergency personnel
  • Time-in-grade requirement: 52 weeks at GS-04 for current federal employees, with proof via SF-50
  • Alternative: 4 years of education above high school, or a combination of education (beyond 60 semester hours) and experience
  • Strong competencies in security technology application, communications, managing and organizing information, and computer skills
  • Ability to handle radio dispatching, telephone communications, and monitoring fire/security computer systems
  • Experience can include paid, unpaid, or volunteer work in relevant settings like police/fire stations or hospitals

Full Job Description

The purpose of the Security Assistant (Dispatcher) position is to initiate and carry out a variety of complex duties such as monitoring and directing police officer response to emergency and non-emergency criminal activity, security and life safety matters, communications, radio dispatching, telephone, fire and security computer system.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/17/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

For a GS-05 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-04. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service.

An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.

If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.

In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

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: Experience as a public safety dispatcher, or 911 operator, that monitors the location of emergency services personnel and dispatches the appropriate type and number of units in response to calls for assistance.

This experience could have been gained in a setting such as a police station, fire station, hospital, or a centralized communication center.

OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have at least 4 years above high school (except Reporting Stenographer).

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 high school.

For GS-5 level positions (except Clerk-Stenographer, which does not require specialized experience), 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..

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Security Technology Application Communications Manages and Organizes Information Computer Skills 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 mainly sedentary and requires sitting for long periods of time at a Communications Console.

Walking, standing and stooping may occur in performing duties of the position. During emergencies, employees may be required to work long periods without breaks.

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/.

Major Duties:

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Receiving and evaluating calls from the public concerning crimes, fires, and medical emergencies.

Evaluating calls for proper action and entering data into a computer as it is being received.

Initiating Police and/or Fire and Medical response by obtaining information required for dispatching field units.

Maintaining routine reports, referral information, and emergency calls for assistance from citizens and public safety personnel.

Operates a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) terminal for researching vehicle ownership, license plate and operator's license verification, wants and warrants on persons, etc.

Operates a variety of communications equipment such as radios and computers with general and specialized software common to the dispatching occupation.

Coordinates with military and civilian agencies in response to mutual aid requests, in accordance with locally established protocols.

Communicates via radio with responding personnel to pass pertinent information regarding hazards that may be present at the emergency scene and obtain additional assets if requested by the Incident Commander.

Provides appropriate post-dispatch and pre-arrival instructions and maintains knowledge of all response resources available, sometimes in a widely-dispersed environment.

Dispatches patrols for routine assignments ensuring patrols are completed within established guidelines and properly documented in official records. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts (subject to change based on agency needs) Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Security Assistant/PD99858S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required NOTE: Applications will be accepted from current and former competitive service Federal employees, and people eligible under special hiring authorities.

Please note that this announcement is not open to the general public.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/3/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/3/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: CBTB-12900036-26-MM