Security Assistant

Summary

This position serves as a Security Assistant and performs security-related functions in support of a Network Personnel Suitability and Credentialing Program (hereinafter, “Personnel Security Program”) within the SBU. The Personnel Security Program assures that all appointees have the appropriate level of security/suitability clearance commensurate with their assignment. Work assigned is of a very confidential and highly sensitive nature.

Duties

• The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following.
• Collects, organizes and/or tracks information in support of the Personnel Security Program.
• 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.
• For pre-employment processes, serves as the initial point of contact for new appointees including but not limited to paid or without compensation employees, volunteers, students, residents, and contractors.
• Reviews information submitted by the requesting o??ice 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) 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.
• Reports are produced 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.
• 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.
• 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, 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.
• 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 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: Monday- Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Position Description/PD#: Security Assistant/PD99952S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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.

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. You may be required to serve a probationary period 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).

Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In 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.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Required Documents

Prepare the documents below before applying. Always confirm the exact requirements on the official announcement, since they vary by position:

• Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan.
• Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position.
• USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job.
• Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying.
• VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed.
• Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement.
• Your resume must be 5MB or less.
• We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages.
• We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX).
• We do not accept PDF portfolio files.