Security Assistant

Full Job Description

This position serves as the Security Assistant for the Public Safety Service within the VA New Jersey Health Care System, with the primary purpose of monitoring physical security equipment and systems.

***The VA New Jersey Health Care System consists of the East Orange VA Medical Center, Lyons VA Medical Center and 9 Community Based Outpatient Clinics, to which you may be required to travel or could be assigned.*** To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/03/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

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.

NOTE: 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.

OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05 level. EDUCATION: 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 Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level.

To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned).

Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-05.

For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e.

50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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.

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Security - Knowledge of laws, regulations, and guidelines related to securing personnel, facilities, and information, including the requirements for handling, transporting, and protecting classified information and proper reporting of security incidents.

Technology Application - Uses machines, tools, or equipment effectively; uses computers and computer applications to analyze and communicate information in the appropriate format.

Communications - Effectively expresses information to multiple audiences through clear, convincing oral and written communications; demonstrates logical thinking when describing facts and concepts, and shapes communications to meet the needs of a specific audience; actively listens to others and demonstrates understanding of their comments and/or questions.

Manages and Organizes Information - Identifies a need; gathers, organizes, and maintains information; determines its importance and accuracy, and communicates it by a variety of methods.

Computer Skills - Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work. 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 typically sedentary in nature; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; and carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts; etc.

No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Working on off-tours, rotating shifts or regular overtime may be required.

The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms.

The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

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 and responsibilities include: Physical Security Support: monitors and responds to alarms; traces access patterns; programs, assigns, or removes user permissions; and remotely opens and secures doors during routine and emergency operations.

Determines when to dispatch law enforcement or other personnel to investigate. Maintains radio and alarm activity records/logs, include dates, times, and results of communications and activities.

Prepares completed reports; issues and retrieves government-issued keys and/or identification cards; and maintains accountability for Police Officer badges and all associated logs.

Communications: Communications: Monitors and receives routine and emergency calls from various sources requiring police, fire, medical, or other emergency services.

Maintains contact with law enforcement units; monitors and directs responses to security and life-safety communications, radio dispatches, telephone calls, and other emergency communication circuits.

Coordinates with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials during emergency situations.

Operates a variety of communications equipment, telephones, and computer systems to support both routine and emergency operations.

Operations Support: Performs system checks on a variety of equipment used in the dispatch center; troubleshoots issues as they arise and resolves problems whenever possible.

Conducts equipment inventories and completes required records and logs. Enters, updates, and retrieves information from multiple computer systems and databases.

Uses state systems and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to access sensitive law enforcement information to support field operations and investigations.

Enters and updates regional and national records as required. Compiles and prepares reports related to events occurring in the police control center.

Completes vehicle registration tasks and issues decals and permits. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-Time, 8 Hour-Tour, 6am-2pm, 2pm-10pm or 10pm-6am.

(Tours are picked based on seniority.) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Security Assistant/PD99858A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.