Security Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Leavenworth, KS

6d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Security & Preparedness (OSP), VA Police Service. The Security Assistant monitors and receives routine and emergency calls requiring police, fire, medical, or other emergency services. The work involves varied police operations, with primary responsibility for responding to alarms and monitoring computers for video surveillance.

The position monitors alarms and access systems, coordinates emergency responses, maintains communications with law enforcement units, operates dispatch-center communications and security equipment, and uses computer systems and sensitive databases to support field operations and investigations. It also maintains equipment records, prepares reports and logs, and handles administrative matters such as lost property and compromised access credentials.

The position is not virtual. The work schedule is determined by leadership. Relocation and recruitment incentives and a Critical Skills Incentive are not authorized or approved, and Permanent Change of Station expenses are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 level, such as knowledge of security or law enforcement objectives and programs; performing support tasks related to law enforcement and security administration; monitoring and responding to physical alarm systems and security cameras; watching and directing responses to security and life-safety communications; observing computers for video surveillance; and maintaining reports and logs.
• Alternatively, four years of education above the high school level at an accredited business, secretarial, technical, junior college, college, or university for which high school graduation or equivalent is the normal prerequisite. Transcripts must be submitted when qualifying based on education.
• Alternatively, a qualifying combination of post-high-school education and experience. Only education beyond the first 60 semester hours is creditable toward specialized experience; transcripts are required when using education in combination.
• Complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• Meet background and security investigation requirements and complete the online onboarding process.
• Provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements; beginning May 7, 2025, non-REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards cannot be used as acceptable employment identification.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition of employment.
• Serve a one-year probationary period, subject to written certification that continued employment advances the public interest.
• Submit an accredited education transcript if education is used to meet qualification requirements; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.

Responsibilities

• Monitor alarm and access systems; trace access patterns; program, assign, or remove user permissions; update databases; remotely open and secure doors; and generate reports.
• Assess on-scene behavior and determine whether to dispatch law enforcement or other personnel to investigate.
• Respond to alarms involving fire, access, intrusion, duress or panic, medical and psychiatric emergencies, medical assist teams, and the emergency digital paging system.
• Implement procedures for identifying and protecting information, personnel, property, facilities, operations, and materials.
• Conduct administrative, non-criminal investigations of lost keys, passes, and PIV cards; document compromised access and terminate access permissions as appropriate.
• Receive and process routine and emergency calls; determine the nature and location of emergencies; prioritize events; commit police resources; make required notifications; and coordinate follow-up communications.
• Maintain contact with law enforcement units on assignment, track officers’ status and location, and coordinate communications between agencies as needed.
• Compile information about police and emergency incidents and take appropriate action regarding intrusion, duress, and holdup alarms.
• Direct responses and modify the responsible personnel based on the incident or request.
• Operate communications and security equipment, including computers, multi-frequency radios, multi-line telephone systems, and related peripherals.
• Perform system checks on dispatch-center equipment; troubleshoot and resolve issues when possible; conduct equipment inventories; and maintain records and logs.
• Perform monthly alarm checks and submit reports documenting the operational status of each circuit tested.
• Enter, update, and retrieve information in computer systems and sensitive databases, including state and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) systems and VA Police Software.
• Query law enforcement information such as criminal histories, arrest warrants, driver records, vehicle registrations, stolen property, and firearms to support field operations and investigations.
• Compile and prepare reports about police control center events for management officials; generate reports for routine noncriminal cases such as lost property and missing patients.
• Process Courtesy Violation Notices (CVNs) and US District Court Violation Notices (USDCVNs) under established policies.
• Gather information and complete reports when local incidents require notification to the VA Integrated Operations Center.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• VA may, upon request and approval before appointment, credit job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service toward the annual leave accrual rate; this is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED