Security Assistant

Full Job Description

The incumbent of this position serves as a Security Assistant in the PSU, and the position is to perform security-related functions in support of a Network Personnel Suitability and Credentialing Program (hereinafter, "Personnel Security Program") within a shared services unit.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/17/2026.

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-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service.

For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. 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: For GS-05 grade level: 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: responsibilities in performing office work and database maintenance; performing standard and non-standard assignments involving different and unrelated processes or methods in varying sequence; resolving non-recurring problems and meeting deadlines; following guidelines in the form of instructions, manuals, and regulations.

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

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 4 years education above high school (transcripts required).

OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education.

Example; The applicant has 9 months of specialized experience and 75 semester hours of college (15 semester hours beyond the second year and the equivalent of 3 months of specialized experience).

For GS-06 grade level: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Responsibilities in performing office work and database maintenance; registering and enrolling applicants/customers by evaluating eligibility and identity, taking and/or scanning Applicant photo and fingerprints; submitting fingerprints to FBI; submitting investigation forms to OPM; reviewing investigation results; and approving or denying applicant requests.

For GS-07 grade level: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: initiating, reviewing, and approving background cases for release, Review position risk sensitivity levels, Reviews information submitted by the requesting office to validate level of background required, enters appointee information into a local data base tracking system and refers appointee for fingerprinting.

Maintains logs of current employees who are in public trust positions and ensures reinvestigations are initiated, reviewed and released using e-QIP within the required timeframe as per policy.

Takes and transmits electronic fingerprints, Enters appropriate data in required databases related to an appointee's suitability from a wide variety of sources There is no educational substitution for the GS-6 or GS-7 level.

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 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.

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:

DUTIES: Review position risk sensitivity levels as full assistant to the Personnel Security Specialist.

Assemble position descriptions and functional statements for the Personnel Security Specialist for review. Track electronically the level assigned and the appropriate background investigation needed.

For pre-employment processes, serves as the initial point of contact for new appointees Reviews information submitted by the requesting office to validate level of background required, enters appointee information into a local data base tracking system and refers appointee for fingerprinting.

Initiates, reviews and releases appointees background investigations in the Office of Personnel Managements Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (eQIP) 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.

Reports are produced on a regular basis (weekly) to keep top level management apprised of the status of the Suitability/Security Program.

Maintains logs of current employees who are in public trust positions and ensures reinvestigations are initiated, reviewed and released using e-QIP within the required timeframe as per policy.

Works closely with the VA-AC to monitor the progress of investigations when applicable.

As needed, works with applicants who may be experiencing difficulties with completion of electronic forms related to the background screening process.

Also works with Recruitment and Staffing to assure required background documents are complete and accurate as per policy.

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.

As appropriate, logs and tracks the status of suitability issues referred by the Personnel Security Specialist for OPM adjudication.

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).

Has basic knowledge of the application and training on using 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.

Responsible for maintaining an in-depth working knowledge of PIV role holder responsibilities.

Provides technical advice and guidance to employees, contractors, affiliates, and volunteers regarding matters pertaining to the PIV Program.

Accomplishes special projects in relation to the PIV Program. Uses appropriate approaches to perform a variety of duties related to special projects involving issues of a sensitive nature.

Conducts research and compiles data from diverse sources, assembles information, and develops reports or presentations.

Maintains proficiency in the VA PIV Portal to create and issue PIV cards, capture biometrics, troubleshoot card and pin issues, and perform all aspects of card lifecycle management.

Assists with the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Program in performing functions associated with the daily operations to include performing registrar and/or issuer duties and training sponsors on their roles and responsibilities.

In conjunction with the Personnel Security Specialist and/or lead/supervisor, presents training/briefings for supervisors, managers, and employees related to various aspects of the Personnel Security Program.

Assures that paperwork related to the suitability process is forwarded for inclusion in the appropriate system of records.

Maintains required files related to the suitability process in accordance with OPM/agency guidelines. Requests information from various law enforcement agencies and courts.

Assures that the approving official is kept informed of these actions.

Reviews applicant's data ensuring that the submitted information matches the demographic data and that all required information has been provided.

Accepts/rejects applicants submitted information and enters comments for rejected information.

Periodically performs audits of official personnel folders to assure that information related to suitability is properly recorded and filed.

Ensures that security activities are in accordance with ADP security policies.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm and 6:30am - 3:00pm Telework: Ad-Hoc (Must be within 50 miles of the facility) Position Description/PD#: Security Assistant/PD#s 99952-A, 99653-S, 99654-S