Security Assistant

Security Assistant

This is an open continuous announcement and may be posted up to September 07, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be August 19, 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

Major duties for the position include but not limited to: Personnel Security, e-QIP, PIV, Use of Automated Integrated Systems (70%)

• Performs work related to the collection, organization and/or tracking of information in support of the Personnel Security Program.
• 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.
• Reviews 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. Track electronically the level assigned and the appropriate background investigation needed.
• 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 (e-QIP) system or in conjunction with the VA- Adjudication Center (VA-AC).
• 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 with Recruitment and Staffing to assure required background documents are complete and accurate as per policy
• Transmits electronic fingerprints for appointees or when the FBI returns fingerprints unclassifiable for various reasons.
• Enters appropriate data in required databases related to an appointee's suitability from a wide variety of sources.
• Tracks the status of suitability issues referred by the Personnel Security Specialist for OPM adjudication.
• Responsible for assisting in the execution of personnel security-related functions as they relate to VA Subjects in Veterans Affairs Centralized Adjudication and Background Investigation System (VA-CABS).
• Performs administrative tasks associated with the authorization and issuance of the PIV card, a standardized identification badge.
• Provides technical advice and guidance to employees, contractors, affiliates, and volunteers regarding matters pertaining to the PIV Program.
• Conducts research and compiles data from diverse sources, assembles information, and develops reports or presentations.
• Maintains proficiency in the VA PIV Portal to create and issue PIV cards, capture biometrics, troubleshoot card and pin issues, and perform all aspects of card lifecycle management.
• Assists with the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Program in performing functions associated with the daily operations to include performing registrar and/or issuer duties and training sponsors on their roles and responsibilities.

Local Consultation, Performs Audits, Maintains Privacy of Information, Reviews technical regulations, policy, guidance (30%)

• Assures that paperwork related to the suitability process is forwarded for inclusion in the appropriate system of records.
• Requests information from various law enforcement agencies and courts.
• Reviews applicant's data ensuring that the submitted information matches the demographic data and that all required information has been provided.
• Performs audits of official personnel folders to assure that information related to suitability is properly recorded and filed.
• Keeps security information confidential and assures compliance with the requirements of safeguarding personal and other sensitive data pursuant to the Computer Security Act of 1997, and the Privacy Act of 1974.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.