Security Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Iowa City seeks a Security Assistant to support the Network Personnel Suitability and Credentialing Program. The role focuses on handling background investigations, issuing PIV cards, and maintaining suitability data.

The incumbent will interact with applicants and VA personnel, processing pre-employment requirements, managing NBIS/VA-CABS data, and ensuring timely reinvestigations and reporting in a secure environment.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience at GS-04 level in applying regulations, policies, or procedures.
• Education may substitute for experience for the GS-05 level.
• Combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first two years of college may qualify at the GS-05 level.

Responsibilities

• Review position risk sensitivity levels as full assistant to the Personnel Security Specialist.
• Serve as the initial point of contact for new appointees for pre-employment processes.
• Initiate, review, and release appointees' background investigations in NBIS or VA-AC.
• Monitor status of pending items, compile data and produce reports.
• Maintain logs of current employees in public trust positions and initiate reinvestigations per policy.
• Assist applicants with electronic background screening forms.
• Take and transmit electronic fingerprints for appointees or FBI rejections.
• Enter data in required databases related to an appointee's suitability.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Customer guidance

Data entry

Database management

Education

Four years of education above high school

Job description

Summary

The Security Assistant performs security-related functions in support of a Network Personnel Suitability and Credentialing Program within a shared services unit.

The Security Assistant performs security-related functions in support of a Network Personnel Suitability and Credentialing Program within a shared services unit.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 10/05/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-05 Minimum Qualifications: 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 include applying regulations - policies - procedures - or principles; providing guidance to customers; and entering employee information via various computer databases.. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have four (4) years of education above high school. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first two years of college-level education. GS-06 Minimum Qualifications: 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 include applying regulations - policies - procedures - or principles; providing technical advice and guidance to customers; entering - extracting - and evaluating employee information via various computer databases; and maintaining databases from a variety of sources. GS-07 Minimum Qualifications: 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 include applying regulations - policies - procedures - principles and/or concepts that govern personnel security; providing technical advice and guidance to customers; entering - extracting - and evaluating employee information via various computer databases; dealing with highly charged emotional situations; and maintaining databases from a variety of sources. 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/. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. 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. Work Environment: The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices - meeting and training rooms - or libraries. The work area is adequately lit - heated - and ventilated.

Duties

• Major duties include but are not limited to: Review position risk sensitivity levels as full assistant to the Personnel Security Specialist
• 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
• Initiates - reviews and releases appointees background investigations in the National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) system or in conjunction with the VA-Adjudication Center (VA-AC)
• Regularly monitors the status of specific pending items - compiles data to produce reports - follows up to determine status and records results
• Maintains logs of current employees who are in public trust positions and ensures reinvestigations are initiated - reviewed and released using NBIS within the required timeframe as per policy
• As needed - works with applicants who may be experiencing difficulties with completion of electronic forms related to the background screening process
• Takes and transmits electronic fingerprints for appointees or when the FBI returns fingerprints unclassifiable for various reasons
• Enters appropriate data in required databases related to an appointee's suitability from a wide variety of sources - i.e. - fingerprint/badge log - notification(s) of investigation(s) scheduled by OPM - requests by OPM for additional information - receipt/disposition of results of both Special Agreement Checks (SAC's) and National Agency Check with Inquiry (T1's) or higher - to include interim reports or pending completion reports - assignment for adjudication and final disposition of the investigation
• 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)
• Support the programming of PIV cards after being manufactured
• Performs administrative tasks associated with the authorization and issuance of the PIV card - a standardized identification badge designed to increase security related with physical access to Federal facilities and networks and logical access to computer systems
• Maintains required files related to the suitability process in accordance with OPM/agency guidelines
• 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/PD99653S - PD99654S - and PD99952S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.