This Security Assistant position is located in the Personnel Security Section (PSS), Chief Security Office (CSO), Law Enforcement (LE), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

• Processes standard security forms for routine actions following well-understood procedures and formats in order to schedule background investigations with the appropriate agencies; prepares routine and basic security forms for PSS, management and appropriate security agencies; initiates, sends invites and assists applicants in completing security forms, reviews forms for accuracy, releases and schedules investigations, responds to agency inquiries, and prepares template correspondence for issuance to applicants and/or employees.
• Compiles and tracks data for Personnel Security Specialists (PSS). Maintains security records within the Integrated Security Management System (ISMS) for internal and external review and maintains security files in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• Follows-up with requesting or investigating offices to fill gaps in needed information, e.g., clarification of criminal charges which do not show final disposition. Prepares detailed correspondence for issuance to applicants and/or employees, and Performs necessary prescreening and follow-up duties prior to submitting clearance requests to other organizations for adjudication.
• Performs customer service duties to support internal and external stakeholders and assists employees with completing Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) or other security questionnaires.

The major duties described reflect the full performance level of this position. Typically, the lower pay bands (D and E Bands) perform the same duties but will receive more guidance and training; and/or projects/work assignments may be less complex.

Conditions of employment

1. You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
2. You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application.
3. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI).
4. Selective Service registration is required.
5. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
6. This is a testing Designated position. Employee required to pass drug screening prior to appointment and periodically as required during employment.

If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment.

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for TSA to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Qualifications

To qualify at the SV-D Pay Band (equivalent to GS-3-6), you must meet one of the qualification requirements (A, B, OR C) outlined below:

A. Experience: If you are qualifying based on experience, your application must clearly outline at least six months of progressively responsible general experience. General Experience is defined as clerical, office, or other work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled. General Experience is defined as:

• Experience compiling and tracking data; providing basic computer assistance; scheduling meetings; typing correspondences; providing standard information on administrative policies; AND
• Experience maintaining records.

OR
B. Education: At least one full year of full-time academic study in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university.

OR
C. Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for this position, and may be computed by first determining your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the band level; then determining your education as a percentage of the education required for the band level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent. Applicants who meet the qualifications listed above based on education or a combination of education and experience MUST provide proof of education such as a list of completed college courses or the date and school of degree including the number of semester or quarter hours or a transcript from an accredited college or university. The information must be provided as an attachment to the application by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, the applicant must supply a transcript or certification of degree.

To qualify for the SV-E Pay Band (equivalent to GS-7/8), you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the SV-D or GS-6 Pay Band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position to be filled. Specialize experience is defined as:

• Experience with security rules, procedures, and operations to perform support functions involving the initiation, review, and processing of personnel security documentation; AND
• Experience maintaining records about clearance levels required by various local projects, programs, or organizations (e.g., individual employee clearance, limitations on personnel spaces, and clearances required).

To qualify for the SV-F Pay Band (equivalent to GS-9/10), you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the SV-F or GS-8 Pay Band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position to be filled. Specialize experience is defined as:

• Experience in electronic Personnel Security Case Management System(s) sufficient to assemble and review security packages and to record and upload security related information and documentation; AND
• Experience in reviewing and reconciling various documents and records, and resolves a variety of problems through coordination with organizational representatives and personnel security supervisors and managers.

Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer 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.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.