Security Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Security Assistant to support a Network Personnel Suitability and Credentialing Program within a shared services unit in San Francisco.

The role ensures appointees have appropriate security clearances and assists with background investigations and PIV processes. Major duties include processing background data, assisting the Personnel Security Specialist, and maintaining records while protecting sensitive information under privacy laws.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience or education requirements for GS-05/06/07 levels are described, including the need to process background information and manage security data.
• Education substitution allows 4 years of higher education in lieu of specialized experience.
• Combination of experience and education may be used to qualify for higher grades.

Responsibilities

• Handle Personal Identity Verification (PIV) responsibilities and background checks.
• Process and maintain data in personnel security systems and databases.
• Assist in collecting and reviewing background information and generate reports.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Clerical

Customer Service

Decision Making

Flexibility

Integrity/Honesty

Interpersonal Skills

Learning

Reading Comprehension

Self-Management

Stress Tolerance

Teamwork

Education

4 years of college-level study

Job description

Summary

This position serves as a Security Assistant performing security-related functions in support of a Network Personnel Suitability and Credentialing Program within a shared services unit. He/she assures that all appointees have the appropriate level of security/suitability clearance commensurate with their assignment. This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 09/18/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-05: 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: Extracting information from various sources that requires considering and applicability of information and the characteristics and quality of the source - issuing security ID cards. Performing clerical assistance tasks in support of established programs (e.g. - personnel - physical - information or industrial security) when such work requires - in addition to general administrative and/or clerical skills - practical knowledge of specific security administration. OR - EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Successfully completed 4 years above high school in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. This education was obtained in an accredited business - secretarial or technical school - junior college - college or university. OR - COMBINATION: Possess an equivalent combination of specialized experience and post high school education as described above that demonstrates my ability to perform the duties of this position. For the GS-05 - only education in excess of 60 semester hours (2 years) is creditable. GS-06: 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 include - but are not limited to: Using forms administrative tasks associated with the authorization and issuance of the personal identification card - a standardized identification badge designed to increase security related with physical access to Federal facilities and networks and logical access to computer systems. Obtaining - inserting - and correcting missing and incorrect data in Personnel Security files and automated systems. Assuring that paperwork related to the suitability process is forwarded for inclusion in the appropriate system of records - i.e. - official personnel folders. GS-07: 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 - but are not limited to: Collecting appropriate background security information - tracking and reviewing data - completion of reports - maintaining databases and processing - must have the ability to enter - extract - and evaluate employee information via access to various computer databases - initiating - reviewing - and approving background cases related to the completion of suitability investigations - completion of reports - maintaining databases and processing - position risks sensitivity levels - pre-employment processes - log maintenance - electronic fingerprints - minor identification card troubleshooting - admin tasks associated with authorization of personal identification cards - special projects - performing audits - credentialing rules and regulations. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Clerical Customer Service Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork 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. Physical Requirements: 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. 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

• This position also entails Personal Identity Verification Program (PIV) responsibility - which is a Government-wide identification standard for secure and reliable identity credentials issued by the Federal Government to its employees - contractors - affiliates - and volunteers
• Major Duties for the position include but are not limited to: Personnel Security - e-QIP - PIV - Use of Automated Integrated Systems: Processes of initiating - reviewing - and approving background cases for release to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
• Assist the Personnel Security Specialist in collecting appropriate background information - tracking and reviewing data - completion of reports - maintaining databases and processing
• Reviews position risk sensitivity levels as full assistant to the Personnel Security Specialist
• 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
• Monitors the status of specific pending items - compiles data to produce reports - follows up to determine status and records results
• Works closely with the VA- Adjudication Center (VA-AC) to monitor the progress of investigations when applicable
• Assist Recruitment and Staffing to assure required background documents are complete and accurate as per policy
• 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
• 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)
• Performs administrative tasks associated with the authorization and issuance of the PIV card
• Conducts research and compiles data from diverse sources - assembles information - and develops reports or presentations
• Assists with the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Program in performing functions associated with the daily operations
• Local Consultation - Performs Audits - Maintains Privacy of Information - Reviews technical regulations - policy - guidance: 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
• Requests information from various law enforcement agencies and courts
• Performs audits of official personnel folders to assure that information related to suitability is properly recorded and filed
• Keeps security information confidential and assures compliance with the requirements of safeguarding personal and other sensitive data pursuant to the Computer Security Act of 1997 - and the Privacy Act of 1974
• 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 Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized