The VHA Security Specialist assists in the development of law enforcement and security policy for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), located at the VA Central Office with the Office of Senior Security Officer (VHASSO) in Washington, DC. This position reports to the VHA Senior Security Officer.

Duties

This job announcement will remain open for 10 business days and close on 10/10/2024. The initial application review cut-off for this job announcement is 50 applications. The first 50 applications received will be considered first. Applications received after the initial cut-off number (50 applications) may not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management. Evaluates risk, develops physical security procedures and measures to safeguard personnel, property, and operations from unauthorized access, espionage, terrorism, sabotage, damage and theft. Provides suggestions on matters pertaining to security systems and security of assets. Ensures security requirements and appropriate safeguards are implemented (including cameras, panic and intrusion alarms). Coordinates an organizations physical security program and manages efforts or functions that impact multiple sites. Provides input and drafts changes regarding physical security policy, doctrine, utility and implementation. Participates and leads in community of practice across departments and organizations. Develops and leads implementation of improvement initiatives within an organization. Collects information and prepares reports on facility compliance with operations and regulations. Enters, accesses, and retrieves information in the medical center computer system. Maintains a tracking report to ensure physical security surveys are followed up promptly. Conducts full investigations over prolong periods or when solutions cannot be achieved during normal patrol shift. Appears at preliminary hearings and/or testifies at trials when needed. Responds to reports of a crime in progress and/or calls for police assistance. Attends security meetings and gathers new or changed security program information to share with security personnel Other duties as assigned. 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: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: May be available. Telework: Available (applicant is required on site 50% of work schedule per pay period) Virtual: This is a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Security Specialist/PD80980A and PD80981A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. This is a bargaining unit position.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/10/2024. 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 GS13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS12 For a GS12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS11. 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 experienceas described below: GS-12 Specialized Experience: Have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. In order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet 3 of 5 of the following examples of specialized experience. Knowledge of a wide range of law enforcement and security concepts, principles, and practices to provide authoritative guidance; Possess the knowledge necessary to work through overlapping and conflicting requirements about law enforcement, security, safety, key and access control, operational access, and overall security to ensure the protection and safety of people and assets; Applies knowledge of programs, laws, and regulations by interpreting existing and new policy issuances and by issuing guidance to provide a safe and secure environment; Possess the required knowledge of multi-layered security systems to advise VA management on improvements or additions to existing systems or in the ordering of new security systems; Conducts system audits and evaluates reports of alleged security violations. GS-13 Specialized Experience: Have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. In order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet 3 of 5 of the following examples of specialized experience. Participates in and leads surveys and analyses to identify critical and vulnerable facilities or sites and evaluates market research; Possess the knowledge to assist in the development of the physical security plans and objectives and for collaborating on research and development of state-of-the-art technical and electronic protective systems; Extensive knowledge to guide the Network Director, Directors, and Police Chiefs across the enterprise, in all matters of complex problems as they relate to the Medical Centers and other VA installations within the Network; Utilize a comprehensive knowledge of multiple and complex policy requirements and concepts and a highly functional understanding of Federal, state, and local laws, VA policies, directives, and procedures to resolve matters of conflict among law enforcement officials, physical security requirements, and the Medical Center's overall mission; Knowledge of Federal and State judicial systems, the legal aspects of arrest, and the statutory authority, which is vested with Federal law enforcement officers on Federal property to provide guidance. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Criminal Investigation Internal Controls/Integrity Computer Skills Security Criminal Law Forensics Arrest Analysis and Problem Solving 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 mostly sedentary. There may be some periods where the work involves inspecting buildings and various physical security locations that requires physical exertion and strenuous physical effort. Such work involves physical activity when performing pre-assessments and other in-person review of locations. There also may be some emergency situations where the employee may be called upon to defend themselves and members of staff, patients, or the public against physical attack, and assist with rescue operations and disaster relief. The incumbent carries firearms and other agency weapons while performing work. 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

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/.

Contacts

• Address VSHO - Operations 2402 Wildwood Ave Suite 301 Sherwood, AR 72120 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]