Security Assistant

Summary The purpose of the Security Assistant (Dispatcher) position is to initiate and carry out a variety of complex duties such as monitoring and directing police officer response to emergency and non-emergency criminal activity, security and life safety matters, communications, radio dispatching, telephone, fire and security computer system. Duties Major duties include, but are not limited to: Receiving and evaluating calls from the public concerning crimes, fires, and medical emergencies. Evaluating calls for proper action and entering data into a computer as it is being received. Initiating Police and/or Fire and Medical response by obtaining information required for dispatching field units. Maintaining routine reports, referral information, and emergency calls for assistance from citizens and public safety personnel. Operates a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) terminal for researching vehicle ownership, license plate and operator's license verification, wants and warrants on persons, etc. Operates a variety of communications equipment such as radios and computers with general and specialized software common to the dispatching occupation. Coordinates with military and civilian agencies in response to mutual aid requests, in accordance with locally established protocols. Communicates via radio with responding personnel to pass pertinent information regarding hazards that may be present at the emergency scene and obtain additional assets if requested by the Incident Commander. Provides appropriate post-dispatch and pre-arrival instructions and maintains knowledge of all response resources available, sometimes in a widely-dispersed environment. Dispatches patrols for routine assignments ensuring patrols are completed within established guidelines and properly documented in official records. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts (subject to change based on agency needs) Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Security Assistant/PD99858S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required NOTE: Applications will be accepted from current and former competitive service Federal employees, and people eligible under special hiring authorities. Please note that this announcement is not open to the general public. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/17/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-05 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-04. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: 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: Experience as a public safety dispatcher, or 911 operator, that monitors the location of emergency services personnel and dispatches the appropriate type and number of units in response to calls for assistance. This experience could have been gained in a setting such as a police station, fire station, hospital, or a centralized communication center. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have at least 4 years above high school (except Reporting Stenographer). 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 high school. For GS-5 level positions (except Clerk-Stenographer, which does not require specialized experience), only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Security Technology Application Communications Manages and Organizes Information Computer Skills 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 mainly sedentary and requires sitting for long periods of time at a Communications Console. Walking, standing and stooping may occur in performing duties of the position. During emergencies, employees may be required to work long periods without breaks. 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/. Education 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/. Additional information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.