This position serves as a Security Assistant in the Personnel Security Unit, and is to perform security-related functions in support of the Network Personnel Suitability and Credentialing Program within the VISN 16 shared services unit.
This position also entails Personal Identity Verification Program (PIV) responsibility, which is a Government-wide identification standard for identity credentials issued by the Federal Government to its employees, contractors, affiliates, and volunteers.
PLEASE NOTE: This announcement is limited to the first 50 applicants. The announcement will close on the date indicated, or when 50 applications are received, whichever occurs first. Major Duties include, but are not limited to, the following: 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. 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. 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 Office of Personnel Managements Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (eQIP) 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 e-QIP within the required timeframe as per policy. Works closely with the VA-AC to monitor the progress of investigations when applicable.
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. Only in rare instances when there is machine malfunction, manually takes fingerprints for the purpose of background investigations from OPM.
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.
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. 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. 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, 8:00 am 4:30 pm., subject to change based on the needs of the agency. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Security Assistant/PD99952S, PD99654S, and PD99653S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
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/.
katilyn.williams@va.gov · (901) 558-2974
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $40736 – $65599/yr.
Applications close on 2026-09-08.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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