Summary

The VISN 22 Personnel Security Unit is seeking Supervisory Security Assistants for their facilities throughout the VISN. This position performs the security-related functions in support of a Network Personnel Suitability and Credentialing Program within a Shared Services Unit, and assures that all appointees have the appropriate level of security/suitability clearance commensurate with their assignment.

Duties

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The major duties and responsibilities of the GS-0086-09 Supervisory Security Assistant include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for supervising the day-to-day activities of the Personnel Security Program. Implements the policies and procedures for the Personnel Security Program. Ensures that the program meets all legal and mandatory requirements and that all agency regulatory requirements are followed.
• The work of this position centers on examining activities for assigned positions (GS-7 & below) and ensuring they are supporting assigned Personnel Security Specialist with collecting appropriate background information, tracking and reviewing data, completion of reports, maintaining databases and processing follow-up actions on various security related matters and assisting with suitability adjudications.
• Assist Security Assistants with the 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.
• Works with the Consolidated Classification Unit (CCU) to ensure that all position descriptions have appropriate risk level as determined by Position Designation Tool(PDT). Works with Staffing and Processing and Records Section to ensure each position has the appropriate risk and sensitivity level designated in HR SMART. Performs audits and spot checks the Employee's Official Personnel Folders (eOPF's) to review for compliance with personnel security related documents. May be assigned to mission specific meetings where the incumbent provides information as a subject matter expert.
• Assist Security Assistants ensuring security activities are in accordance with ADP security policies. 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 197 4. Develops and implements procedures and practices to cover multiple security objectives.

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

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Personnel Security Assistant/PD13762A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

**There is a cop of 25 applicants per duty location. Selectee must report to VHA facility in the location selected for.**

Salary Ranges for each duty location:

Phoenix, AZ: $64,564 - $83,938

Prescott, AZ: $61,722 - $80,243

Tucson, AZ: $62,893 - $81,765

Loma Linda, CA: $71,957 - $93,549

Long Beach, CA: $71,957 - $93,549

Los Angeles, CA: $71,957 - $93,549

San Diego, CA: $70,507 - $91,664

Albuquerque, NM: $62,392 - $81,114

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• 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 identification 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, 07/22/2026.

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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. 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 as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
  
  • Performing security-related functions in support of a Personnel Suitability and Credentialing Program;
  • Assuring that all employees have the appropriate level of security/suitability clearance commensurate with their assignment;
  • Responsibility for an organization's identity verification program that issues secure and reliable identity credentials to all employees, contractors, affiliates, and volunteers

Preferred Experience: Best qualified candidates will have both Supervisory and VHA PIV Office experience.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Auditing
• Human Capital Management
• Performance Measurement
• Technical Competence

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 sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, small boxes, or books.

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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

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.

Benefits

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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.

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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.