Security Assistant

The Personnel Security Program includes the processes of initiating reviewing and approving background cases for release to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in compliance with policies relating to completion of suitability investigations for Federal employees and others requiring background investigations for non-sensitive and public trust positions. The incumbent serves as an Assistant to the Personnel Security Specialist. Work assigned is of a very confidential and highly sensitive nature.
Duties include but are not limited to:

• Collects organizes and/or tracks information in support of the Personnel Security Program.
• Takes and transmits electronic fingerprints for appointees
• Support the programming of PIV cards troubleshoot PIV System and resolve issues.
• Reviews 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.
• Performs administrative tasks associated with the authorization and issuance of the PIV card.
• Serves as the initial point of contact for new appointees for pre-employment processes including but not limited to paid or without compensation employees volunteers students residents and contractors.
• 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 (e-QIP/e-APP) system or in conjunction with the VA- Adjudication Center (VA-AC).
• Monitors the status of specific pending items compiles data to produce reports follows up to determine status and records results.
• Produces reports on a regular basis (weekly) to keep top level management apprised of the status of the Suitability/Security Program and for performance management/performance improvement initiatives.
• Maintain and update a variety of computerized databases.
• Maintains logs of current employees who are in public trust positions and ensures reinvestigations are initiated reviewed and released using e-QIP/e-APP within the required timeframe as per policy. Works closely with the VA-AC to monitor the progress of investigations when applicable.
• Presents training/briefings for supervisors managers and employees related to various aspects of the Personnel Security Program in conjunction with the Personnel Security Specialist and/or Lead/Supervisor.
• Assures that paperwork related to the suitability process is forwarded for inclusion in the appropriate system of records i.e. official personnel folders records related to fee basis employees contract personnel volunteers or without compensation employees.
• Maintains required files related to the suitability process in accordance with OPM/agency guidelines.
• Requests information from various law enforcement agencies and courts.
• Reviews applicants data ensuring that the submitted information matches the demographic data and that all required information has been provided. Accepts/rejects applicants
• Responsible for maintain an in-depth working knowledge of PIV role holder responsibilities.
• Provides technical advice and guidance regarding matters pertaining to PIV Program.
• Assembles position descriptions and functional statements for the Personnel Security Specialist for review.

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: Full Time. Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Security Assistant/PD99952S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 07/15/2026.

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. 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 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.

• For a GS-05 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-04.
• For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05.
• For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06.

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 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 in an office business or administration requiring a broad working knowledge of standard and non-standard administrative/clerical assignments specific subject matters procedures and internal processes related to the collection organization and/or tracking of information; monitor status of items from initiation to completion compiling and assembling basic data for reports. The work would require a broad knowledge of organizational regulations policies and procedures to accomplish tasks that involved different steps processes and methods applicable to each assignment; with standard work and non-reoccurring problems addressed. 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 above high school . This education must have equipped you with the knowledge skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position at this grade level. OR
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess an equivalent combination of specialized experience and post high school education as described above that demonstrates my ability to perform the duties of this position. For the GS-05 only education in excess of 60 semester hours (2 years) is creditable.

GS-6:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 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 in an office business or organizational setting focused on or related to the administration of personnel security programs. Experience with and comprehensive knowledge of regulations policies procedures needed to follow established protocol and processes; assignments and tasks would have included a wide variety of items and required consideration of different steps and processes required to accomplish the task. The work would have utilized standardized forms and information needed to issue standardized security cards identification cards or physical access cards for the organization. It may include experience with entering reviewing correcting personal security/privacy information in automated systems; maintain filing systems and records related to the organizational security program researching and compiling data for various reports.

There is NO education substitution for this grade level.

GS-7:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Collecting and verifying appropriate background security information need to initiating reviewing and approving background cases related to the completion of suitability investigations; complete reports utilize and maintain various computer databases associated with the processing of background investigations interpreting position risks sensitivity levels and obtaining electronic fingerprints required for pre-employment processes. The work would require a comprehensive and thorough knowledge of regulations polices procedures and guidance that governs a Personnel Security Program Personal Identification Verification Program or similar organizational system was used throughout the entire organization and included (Home Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 12. Skilled in oral communication in order to provide technical advice and guidance to customers and have the ability to work effectively while conducting audits technical reviews and communicating with various law enforcement agencies and courts to accomplish assigned tasks.

There is NO education substitution for this grade level.

For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at 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.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must undergo a physical evaluation during the pre-employment process. Applicants must be able to meet the physical demands for the position reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 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.