Department of Homeland Security

Security Assistant

Colorado Springs, Colorado Full time

Security Assistant

Department: Department of Homeland Security

Location(s): Colorado Springs, Colorado

Salary Range: $63351 - $82362 Per Year

Job Summary: The primary purpose of this Security Assistant position is to work in the National Transportation Vetting Call Center handling both Secure Flight Resolution Calls, regarding passengers who are a possible match to the US Government terrorist watchlist, and Identity Verification Calls, which directly supports the airport's Travel Document Checker (TDC) at airports nationwide for individuals with insufficient or no proper identification.

Major Duties:

  • This Security Assistant position is located in the National Transportation Vetting Center in Operations Support, Intelligence & Analysis, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to: Adhering to security procedures and protocols while determining passenger vetting status, conducting watchlist checks, and verifying passenger identity. Using sound judgment and critical thinking in time sensitive situations while interpreting oral input from customers and written input from databases. Resolving customer-service and security inquiries per established procedures or escalates to Supervisor when necessary. Able to preview information, conduct research, and provide solutions in a time-constrained environment. Utilizing government and commercial databases to verify the vetting status of traveling passengers and gate pass holders, conducting watchlist checks, and establishing identity of passengers who do not present acceptable identification. Creating daily reports and log entries in call tracking database to indicate the nature of the call, specific research results, and the disposition of the call. Supporting program analysis functions and processes, i.e., applies analytical techniques to perform a combination of routine and varying assignments assisting managers and other employees in day-to-day operations. Providing a variety of support functions in assisting airline operators and secure flight analysts regarding vetting issues for the traveling public. Building and maintaining collaborative relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to support special initiatives, business processes, and procedures related to passenger resolution, watchlist or database checks, and identity verification.

Qualifications: To qualify for the SV-F Pay Band (equivalent to GS-09), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-E Pay Band or GS-07 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. Such specialized experience is defined as: Experience resolving customer service inquiries and briefing supervisors; AND Applying standardized security rules, regulations, and procedures; AND Experience tracking applications (such as driver's license applications, passport applications); AND Interpreting and applying policies and procedures on effective approaches to call handling. 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.

How to Apply: All of the following must be received in our office by 11:59 PM EST (Eastern Standard time) on the closing date of this announcement. If we do not receive all required information by the closing date, your application may not be considered. To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. Your application must include: Resume Self-Assessment Questionnaire for this position Applicable supporting documents (see Required Documents Section) To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside about two (2) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/howto/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. Veterans and Persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the documentation that is required, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-27