Security Specialist

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• This position is subject to the conditions of the Lautenberg Amendment (Title 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9), the selectee must not be prohibited from possessing or using firearms.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination programs are requirements for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
  
  

Qualifications

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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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 as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: observes, evaluates and prepares reports on the performance of department personnel; develops programs to alter the behavior of employees whose work performance is below acceptable standards; plans, assigns and explains work requirements to subordinate supervisors for new or changed programs and the functions, goals, processes, skills, and needs; assists in the development of local policies and implements corrective procedures to alleviate identified physical security problems, taking into consideration all internal, as well as external factors when making decisions or recommendations concerning law enforcement and physical security to the VHA, VBA or NCA Facility Director; interprets complex security policies and procedures and is a source to provide guidance to senior facility leadership, other service chiefs, program managers, VBA, and NCA leaders within the Medical Center's catchment area; manage the modernization efforts and assists with the plans for the integration of new initiatives, advancements in technology, policies, etc. that are transforming the law enforcement/security program into 21st century policing model; manages procurement and the accountability of equipment used by and assigned to police service; responsible for supporting the Firearms Program at the facility level, ensuring that critical elements of the program are met.
  
  

Special Requirements

• Position must be capable of arduous physical exertion. This includes the ability to carry persons in emergency evacuations, to run to the assistance of victims, and intercede in physical disturbances. The position must successfully pass an VA prescribed physical and psychological examination prior to employment and on a recurring basis set-forth by VA and participate in a physical training assessment consisting of a 1-mile run, push-ups and sit-ups based upon the position's age. This is done to assess continued ability for effective performance.
• The position must complete a Tier-4 (Bl) background investigation every five years as a condition of continued appointment.
• Position must display operational skills and proficiency in handling firearms and other agency approved weapons. The position is required to achieve and maintain qualifications with agency approved weapons commensurate with assigned duties and responsibilities. The position must maintain sufficient physical fitness to perform during emergencies and qualify with the firearm issued and required to carry while on duty. Qualifications require a minimal firing score of 80 percent.
• The position is expected to continue irregular duty hours either in an office setting or in the field with supporting law enforcement agencies. The position is a designated Federal Emergency Management Official (FERO) and is subject to deployment during national disasters or other serious incidents impacting VA or while VA is supporting the National Response Framework (NRF).
• Position must possess a valid state driver's license (in the State they reside) to operate government owned/ leased vehicles.
• This position authorizes the position to carry a firearm. The position must meet the standards prescribed in the Lautenberg Amendment (PL 104-208) to the Gun Control Act of 1968 (18 USC922). Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess firearms or ammunition (Title 18 U.S.C.
• 922(g)(91 )). Candidates who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are not qualified for this position. Candidates under consideration will be required to certify whether they have or have ever been convicted of such an offense. False or fraudulent information provided by the candidate is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment(Title 18 U.S.C.
• 1001).
• Position is considered essential personnel and will be responsible for remaining at or reporting to work site in emergency situations and inclement weather.
• The position must successfully complete the VA Police Officer Standards & Training (POST)Academy course and other mandatory training requirements set-forth by VA. (Continued in Education Section...)
  
  

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.

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/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

(Continued from Qualification Section...)

Physical Requirements: The position is required to exert considerable and strenuous physical effort on a regular basis while performing the functions of the position. These functions are normally performed while the position conducts security surveys and inspections, which require crawling in unusually confined building areas. May be called upon to defend themselves and members of staff, patients or the public against physical attack and may be required to exercise deadly force if necessary. Requirements of the position include maintaining firearms qualifications, climbing flights of stairs, carrying heavy equipment/patients during emergencies, running, bending, stooping, physical restraint of aggressive persons.

Work Environment: The work is primarily performed in an office-like setting. However, there is the potential for dangerous situations to occur at VA installations to include physical assaults, assaults involving various hidden and open weapons, including firearms, knives, clubs, etc. Without knowledge of the medical history of persons, the position is responsible for physically interacting with aggressive persons. In addition, there can be exposure to moderate discomfort and unpleasantness during adverse weather conditions.

• Help Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.