Security Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 36,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Integrated Service Network 10 Human Resources Management Service (VISN 10 HRMS) is recruiting for multiple full-time Personnel Security Assistant positions (GS-0086-5/6/7) in the Cleveland, OH area. The incumbents will support the Personnel Security Program by collecting background information, reviewing cases, and assisting with security adjudications.

Preferred candidates will have customer service experience and proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word, with knowledge of VA-CABS,

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience for GS-05/06/07 levels, or equivalent education/combination.
• Education may substitute for experience per grade requirements.
• Experience with administrative tasks and data tracking is common for this role.

Responsibilities

• Assist with collection, organization, and tracking of background information for the Personnel Security Program.
• Review and process background investigations for suitability and OMS/OPM compliance.
• Support PIV card programming and basic troubleshooting of the PIV system.
• Serve as initial contact for new appointees (employees, volunteers, students, residents, contractors).
• Maintain documentation and training for supervisors on security program requirements.

Skills

Customer service experience

Excel

Word

Education

4 years education beyond high school

Job description

Summary

Veterans Integrated Service Network 10 Human Resources Management Service (VISN 10 HRMS) is currently recruiting for multiple – full-time Personnel Security Assistant – GS-0086-5/6/7. The incumbents will be part of the network's medical center's Strategic Business Units (SBU) located in Cleveland - OH.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position – applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 09/21/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: For the GS-05 Grade Level: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: 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: Performing clerical assistance tasks in support of established programs; general administrative and/or clerical tasks; maintaining reports and logs; researching applicable 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 of education beyond 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 have an combination of specialized experience and education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e. - beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. For the GS-06 Grade Level: 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-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically but are not limited to: Completing forms associated with administrative tasks; assisting with the completion of background investigations - reviews - or checks; Serve as the initial point of contact for new customers - employees - volunteers - students - and or residents. Regularly monitor the status of specific spending items and or tasks - compiling data to produce reports - following up to determine status and record results. Maintaining reports and logs; handling access requests for identification and/or access cards. For the GS-07 Grade Level: 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-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include: Use of automated systems for the issuance of access cards and/or identification cards; properly obtaining and entering required background information into automated systems; utilizing proper regulations for the security determination process; Provide a positive customer/security relationships through frequent customer/security support calls; performing audits of security programs; and providing consultative services to managers regarding security programs and regulations. Preferred Experience: Confirm applicants have customer service experience as well as experience with Microsoft office specifically Excel and Word. 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/.

Duties

• Personnel Security - e-QIP - PIV - Use of Automated Integrated Systems (70%): The Personnel Security Assistant performs work related to the collection - organization and/or tracking of information in support of the Personnel Security Program
• 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 work of this position centers on assisting the Personnel Security Specialist in collecting appropriate background information - tracking and reviewing data - completion of reports - maintaining databases and processing follow-up actions on various security related matters and assisting with suitability adjudications
• The work of the Personnel Security Assistant has a direct impact on the accomplishment of national and local performance measures with regard to timeliness of actions and following are the major duties of this position: 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 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) system or in conjunction with the VA- Adjudication Center (VA-AC)
• 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
• Perform minor PIV troubleshooting of the PIV System during malfunctions and resolve system issues
• Local Consultation - Performs Audits - Maintains Privacy of Information - Reviews technical regulations - policy - guidance (30%) 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 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 - 7:30 a.m
• - 4:00 p.m
• Compressed/Flexible: Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Security Assistant/PD99952S