Security Guard (Control Room Operator)

Summary

The Smithsonian Institution is a diverse museum and research complex dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge. This position is located and the incumbent will be staffed in the Unit Control Room (UCR),Office of Protection Services (OPS) which provides physical protection of museum property and grounds, and which enforces Institution rules regarding safety and protection of staff and visitors within the Institution's boundaries.

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Duties

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As a Security Guard (Control Room Operator), you will monitor the operation of electronic integrated security computer, radio communication, voice recording, fire alarm, safety, and access control systems. These systems are designed to protect all Smithsonian staff, visitors, collections and property.

In this position you will:

• Prevent theft, vandalism and crime by monitoring multiple security systems, fire and safety systems within a security unit control room.
• Use knowledge of security procedures and physical layout of grounds/facilities to evaluates alarm activity and determine and communicate the location and nature of each security breach.
• Coordinate patrols assigned to areas to check locks, alarms, door exhibit cases and other barriers.
• Monitor a computerized card access control system, which controls the access of authorized personnel into high security areas.
• Serve as the unit point of contact in the event of emergencies and natural disaster that threaten the safety and security of SI artifacts, staff, events and visitors.
• Assist in evacuating public and staff during emergencies.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Requires career/career-conditional status or eligibility.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment

Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.

This position is restricted to applicants with veterans preference; however, applications will be accepted from non-preference eligibles who may be referred for employment consideration only in the absence of applicants with veterans preference.

This position requires:

1. The ability to distinguish among colors on a computer screen.
2. Eyesight correctable to 20/40.
3. The ability to clearly distinguish CCTV images at a nominal distance.
4. Adequate hearing sufficient to acknowledge the full range of audible alarm sounders used in control rooms and to monitor radio transmissions.
5. A pre-employment drug screening.
6. Selectee(s) to undergo and pass a recurring medical examination.
7. Selectee(s) to complete all initial Control Room Operator training and certification requirements.
8. Selectee(s) to qualify annually at a minimum for the Control Room Operator re-certification test.
9. Selectee(s) to performs other security-related duties as assigned.
10. The ability to work rotating shifts.

Employment is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment requirements process that may consist of: structured interview, drug test, laboratory screening, medical evaluation, and background investigation.

Issuance of a final offer of employment from SI is contingent upon you successfully completing all pre-employment requirements, including a structured interview, drug test, laboratory screening, medical evaluation, and background investigation.

Qualifications

Basic Qualification:

Experience such as work with a Federal, State, municipal, local, or private protective organization that involved the protection of property against such hazards as fire, theft, damage, accident, or trespass; or maintaining order and protecting life. Such experience must have provided a knowledge of protective systems and techniques. Acceptable experience includes service in the Armed Services or Coast Guard that involved the performance of guard duties on a regular or intermittent basis. For Security Guard positions in a hospital setting, experience as a psychiatric nursing assistant or a similar position safeguarding patients is qualifying.

In addition to the Basic Qualification, you must also meet the specialized experience requirement below.

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system. For this position Specialized experience is defined as :

1. Operating within a wide variety of security management systems such as radio communications, fire and safety systems;
2. Utilizing specialized entry and access requirements, methods and procedures to safeguard national treasures, work of art, literary collections, and artifacts in large government facilities;
3. Processing information from multiple electronic communication sources and other sources to create incident reports. AND
4. Monitoring and reviewing security management systems such as access control, CCTV, mass notification, fire, and life safety.

Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience.

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; religious; 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.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

Experience such as work with a Federal, State, municipal, local, or private protective organization that involved the protection of property against such hazards as fire, theft, damage, accident, or trespass; or maintaining order and protecting life. Such experience must have provided a knowledge of protective systems and techniques. Acceptable experience includes service in the Armed Services or Coast Guard that involved the performance of guard duties on a regular or intermittent basis. For Security Guard positions in a hospital setting, experience as a psychiatric nursing assistant or a similar position safeguarding patients is qualifying.

Investigation of Fitness

A character investigation may be conducted on applicants selected for employment. The purpose of such an investigation is to secure evidence of the candidate's honesty, integrity, general character, and loyalty to the U.S. Government. Such investigations will be conducted under the security requirements of the hiring agency.

Medical Requirements

The duties of these positions require moderate to arduous physical exertion and/or duties of a hazardous nature. The following medical requirements apply to all applicants: good near and distant vision, ability to distinguish basic colors, and ability to hear the conversational voice. Agencies may establish additional, job-related physical or medical requirements provided that the specific position(s) involves the arduous or hazardous duties to which the requirements relate.

Applicants and employees must have the capacity to perform the essential functions of the position without risk to themselves or others. In most instances, a specific medical condition or impairment will not automatically disqualify an applicant or employee. A medical condition or impairment is disqualifying only if the condition, for good medical reason, precludes assignment to or warrants restriction from the duties of the specific position. For some positions, the loss or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid. Reasonable accommodation shall also be considered in determining an applicant's ability to perform the duties of a position. Reasonable accommodation may include, but is not limited to the use of assistive devices, job modification or restructuring, provision of readers and interpreters, or adjusted work schedules.

Education

There are no basic education requirements for this position.

Additional information

This position is included in the bargaining unit.

Current or Former Political Appointees: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Office of Human Resources. Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

• Position title;
• Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
• Agency; and,
• Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.

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.

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The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options.

Please see Benefits at for a complete description.

Flexible Spending Accounts -

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