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Posted: January 28, 2026 (4 days ago)

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Security Assistant

Veterans Health Administration

Department of Veterans Affairs

Fresh

Salary

$44,887 - $58,354

per year

Closes

February 6, 2026

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 in a hospital police department, handling emergency calls, dispatching officers, monitoring alarms and cameras, and assisting visitors with information.

It's a support role focused on keeping the facility safe and running smoothly during incidents.

A good fit would be someone detail-oriented who stays calm under pressure and has experience in security or customer service, or relevant college education.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04, such as handling emergency communications, operating alarm systems, and monitoring surveillance
  • Successful completion of 4 years of education above high school in any field from an accredited institution (transcripts required if using education)
  • Combination of education beyond the second year and specialized experience to meet GS-05 qualifications
  • Ability to pass background checks and maintain eligibility for access to Pennsylvania Justice Network (CLEAN/NCIC) systems
  • No significant convictions, including felonies, certain misdemeanors within the last 10 years, or computer-related crimes
  • Experience operating communications equipment like radios, computers, and video systems

Full Job Description

This position is located in a VAMC Wilmington 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.

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

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience GS-05: 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: receiving and compiling information from various sources relating to police and emergency incidents; taking appropriate action regarding fire alarms, intrusion, duress and hold-up alarms; operating a variety of communications equipment, such as computers, alarm processors, radio consoles, SSTV system, remote controllers, card access, time lapse video tape recorders and related peripherals; compiling and preparing reports relating to events occurring in the operation of a police operations office; monitoring security surveillance cameras and detects criminal activity in progress, suspicious behavior patterns, observes suspects, and known offenders; serving as a pseudo information desk, as visitors, patients, and employees frequently stop by the highly visible office to ask general questions about the facility.

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 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 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 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/.

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 Major Duties:

Dispatcher 50% Receives and compiles information from various sources relating to police and emergency incidents, taking appropriate action regarding fire alarms, intrusion, duress and hold-up alarms, and directs response and/or notifies responsible personnel, depending on the type of incident or request.

Operates a variety of communications equipment, such as computers, alarm processors, radio consoles, SSTV system, remote controllers, card access, time lapse video tape recorders and related peripherals.

Responsible for proper operation of the Delaware Justice Information System (DELJIS), Report Exec, and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) systems.

Ensures that relevant and/or requested information from these systems is immediately and accurately communicated to VA police personnel.

Compiles and prepares reports relating to events occurring in the operation of the police operations office for dissemination of the completed product to various supervisors, department heads, and top management officials for coordination of emergency situations.

Monitors the operation of all communication/security and related electronic equipment daily.

Confirms correct operation of the repaired equipment Security Duties 25% Monitors security surveillance cameras and detects criminal activity in progress, suspicious behavior patterns, observes suspects, and known offenders, takes supporting law enforcement action and continuously monitors that person until they are intercepted and detained.

Provides Physical Access Control System access to all employees via the computerized operating system.

This involves verifying Personal Identity Verification cards and assuring the level of access granted is compliant with VA Regulations and local policy.

Provides video observation of prisoners being detained in the holding cell facility, notifying police officers of any noted changes in behaviors or condition of the person Documents times in the Operations Journal of the custody of persons in the holding cell area.

Monitors the functioning of camera systems, alarm systems and recording devices for proper functioning and operation, assuring that the technical security equipment is providing a level of security as designed.

Takes in items of high value or risk from individuals and assures chain of custody and security of the item until released to a police officer for processing.

Clerical and Other Duties 25% Serves as a pseudo information desk, as visitors, patients, and employees frequently stop by the highly visible office to ask general questions about the facility.

As such, the incumbent must be thoroughly familiar with the facility layout, locations of services, hours of operations, and facility policies and procedures.

Creates, maintains and deletes physical access control groups within the Physical Access Control System by grouping together users and access points into patterns of access groups assigned to users Files working documents of a shift of police officers consisting of Investigative Reports (IR), Daily Operations Journals (DOJ) and violation notices (citations) Prints, arranges and presents the shift paperwork to the supervisor for approval and routing to the Police Deputy Chief Maintains the working duty roster for police by marking leave, additions or changes at the direction of the supervisory police officer Performing other work as necessary Work Schedule: (PANAMA Schedule (2 on, 2 off, 3 on.

2 off, 2 on, 3 off. 2 months days, 2 months nights (7-7).

First 45 days 730a-3p for training)) Position Description Title/PD#: Security Assistant/PD99858S 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. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/28/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/29/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: CBSZ-12854905-26-SK