Security Assistant

Veterans Health Administration

Iowa City (IA)

On-site

USD 41,000 - 66,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Iowa City invites applications for a Security Assistant to support the National Background Investigation Services workflow and VA-CABS processes. The role includes handling background checks, PIV cards, and data entry across multiple security systems.

The position emphasizes collaboration with the Personnel Security team, management of fingerprints, and ensuring timely processing in accordance with policy and federal guidelines.

Qualifications

Transcript must be submitted with your application.
Education from accredited institutions must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Certificate of Foreign Equivalency required for foreign education.

Responsibilities

Review position risk sensitivity levels as assistant to the Personnel Security Specialist.
Serve as initial point of contact for new appointees including employees, volunteers, students, residents, and contractors.
Initiate and review background investigations in NBIS and VA-AC.
Maintain logs of employees in public trust positions and manage reinvestigations.
Transmit fingerprints for appointees.

Education

Transcript submission

Foreign education recognition

Job description

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

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

Key Responsibilities

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.

Requirements & Education

There is no educational substitution at the GS-06 or GS-07 grade levels. 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/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $40736 - $65599/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-05.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.