Security Assistant

About the role

This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Office of Security and Preparedness (OSP) - Field Operations Division - VA Police Service. The mission of the VA Police Service is to provide law enforcement, protective services, and investigative services to the VA Community — which includes Veterans, federal employees, affiliates, contractors, visitors, and others who receive services, work, or visit VA (VHA, VBA, & NCA) facilities nationwide.

Responsibilities

• Physical Security Support (35%): Performs alarm and access monitoring, traces access patterns, programs, assigns or removes user permissions, updates databases, remotely opens and secures doors during routine and emergency operations, generates a variety of reports as needed; assesses on-scene behavior and determines when it is appropriate to dispatch law enforcement or other personnel to investigate; responsible for responding to alarm systems monitoring fire, access, intrusion, duress/panic, medical emergencies, psychiatric emergencies, medical assist teams, etc., and the emergency digital paging system; monitors emergency weather alerts and transmits warnings system-wide when appropriate; maintains radio/alarm activity records/logs to include dates, times, and results of communications and activities, and prepares completed reports; performs and documents emergency callbacks when necessary; tracks critical information and reports findings to the supervisor.
• Communications (35%): Monitors and receives routine and emergency calls from a variety of sources that need police, fire, medical, or other emergency services; determines the nature and location of the emergency, prioritizes events and commits police resources appropriately; determines what notifications are necessary based upon event type, makes such notifications, and coordinates follow-up communications; receives and processes emergency calls, maintains contact with law enforcement units on assignment, maintains the status and location of Police Officers, and coordinates communication between agencies as needed; answers nonemergency calls for assistance; monitors and directs responses to security and life safety communications, radio dispatches, telephone calls, and other emergency communication circuits; receives and compiles information from various sources related to police and emergency incidents, taking appropriate actions regarding intrusion, duress, and holdup alarms.
• Operational Support (30%): Performs system checks on a variety of equipment used in the dispatch center; troubleshoots systems when problems arise and resolves issues whenever possible; conducts equipment inventories and completes records and other logs; performs monthly alarm checks and submits reports documenting the operational status of each circuit tested; initiates work orders for malfunctioning circuits and equipment; enters, updates, and retrieves information from a variety of computer systems and sensitive databases; uses the state and the National Crime Information Computer (NCIC) to access sensitive law enforcement information to support field operations and investigations; queries for items such as criminal histories, arrest warrants, driver's records, vehicle registrations, stolen property, firearms, etc.; enters or updates regional and national records and/or messages to support recovery of stolen property or missing/endangered persons; gathers and relays applicable information to law enforcement personnel in the field; performs other duties assigned.

Qualifications

• Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation. Examples include knowledge of security or law enforcement objectives and programs; carrying out support tasks related to law enforcement and security administration; monitoring and responding to physical alarm systems and security cameras; dispatching officers; monitoring computers for video surveillance; maintaining reports and logs. Applicants must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours per week spent in such employment.