Security Assistant

Full Job Description

The incumbent of this position serves as a Personnel Security Assistant in the Personnel Security Unit, and the position is to perform security-related functions within a shared services unit.

The Personnel Security Program assures that all appointees have the appropriate level of security/suitability clearance commensurate with their assignment.

The incumbent serves as an Assistant to the Personnel Security Specialist. Work assigned is of a very confidential and highly sensitive nature.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/13/2026.

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. 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:GS-5 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: general administrative and/or clerical skills; practical knowledge of business related programs and equipment; skills in carrying out support tasks.

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

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have have successfully completed four years of study above high school, obtaining a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation..

OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

If you have some, but not all, of the experience or education described above, you may still qualify by combining the amount of creditable experience and education that you possess.

To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12.

Then divide your semester hours of undergraduate education in excess of 60 hours (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Add the two percentages.

The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify.

GS-6 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: performing clerical and administrative tasks in support of assigned programs; regularly monitor the status of specific pending items, compiles data to produce reports, follow-up to determine status and record results.

GS-7 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: processing fingerprints, sponsoring, registrar or issuing Personnel Identification cards.

Coordinating the personnel security and suitability in-processing requirements of prospective appointees; electronically monitoring case assignment status and regularly performing necessary follow-up actions; capturing and transmitting fingerprint data; and reviewing position risk sensitivity and assigning initial levels.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communications Communications Security Management Computer Skills Personnel Security and Safety 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 required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment.

A pre-placement physical examination is not required 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:

The duties of the position include, but are not limited to: PIV Registrar & Activator Duties: Process US Access Sponsor requests and required HSPD-12 Roles letters and training of the Sponsors.

Document in Share Point maintaining a list of all service appointed/ approved US Access Sponsors annually as required by HSPD-12.

Assist service appointed US Access sponsors with questions regarding US Access PIV sponsorship. Identity proofing of all applicants using FIPS 201-3.

Determine if a PIV identity badge is approved to be issued based on specific PIV issuing criteria as outlined in VA Directive 0735/0710.

Complete all biometric requirements including US Access PIV badging specific fingerprints.

Print, issue and credential PIV cards Check-in, issue, and credential PIV cards received from Central Printing. Manage PIV scheduler for appointments Inspect printed cards for quality and compliance.

Troubleshooting printed PIV cards using US Access guides. Terminate/destroy PIV cards as required. Maintain PIV badging office supplies.

Completes all required Annual and refresher training as required by HSPD-12/Per Sec. HR Security New Hire onboarding Duties: Capture fingerprints for submission to OPM.

Enter required Data entry in multiple security databases for New Hire tracking. Initiate background investigation application utilizing eAPP.

Review new hire investigations and other onboarding documents for completeness & accuracy. Track onboarding security tasks in Staffing and Security systems.

Query security data in OPM/VHA Security systems. Communicate with HR Onboarding team when issues arise.

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: Administrative Day Tour, Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible: May be available at supervisory discretion Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies.

This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position .Position Description/PD#: Security Assistant/PD99952A, PD99952A, and PD99952S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized