Security Assistant ( VA Police Dispatcher)

Security Assistant ( VA Police Dispatcher)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Salary Range: $40736 - $52957 Per Year

Job Summary: Located in the VAMC Wilkes Barre< VA Police Dispatch section. The position initiates and accomplishes a variety of complex communications and security related duties such as: answering emergency phone lines, dispatching police to emergencies, operating the facility overhead paging system during medical emergencies, monitoring panic alarm system, monitoring intrusion alarm system, monitoring closed circuit camera system, issuing visitor badges, and granting PIV card access to employees.

Major Duties:

• Dispatcher 50% Receives and compiles information from various sources relating to police and emergency incidents, taking appropriate action regarding fire alarms, intrusion, duress and hold-up alarms, and directs response and/or notifies responsible personnel, depending on the type of incident or request Operates a variety of communications equipment, such as computers, alarm processors, radio consoles, SSTV system, remote controllers, card access, time lapse video tape recorders and related peripherals Responsible for proper operation of the Pennsylvania CLEAN/JNET, Police RMS, and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) systems Ensures that relevant and/or requested information from these systems is immediately and accurately communicated to VA police personnel Compiles and prepares reports relating to events occurring in the operation of the police operations office for dissemination of the completed product to various supervisors, department heads, and top management officials for coordination of emergency situations Monitors the operation of all communication/security and related electronic equipment daily In the event of a malfunction, coordinates with appropriate maintenance personnel to effect repairs Confirms correct operation of the repaired equipment Security Duties 25% Monitors security surveillance cameras and detects criminal activity in progress, suspicious behavior patterns, observes suspects, and known offenders, takes supporting law enforcement action and continuously monitors that person until they are intercepted and detained Provides Physical Access Control System access to all employees via the computerized operating system. This involves verifying Personal Identity Verification cards and assuring the level of access granted is compliant with VA Regulations and local policy. Provides video observation of prisoners being detained in the holding cell facility, notifying police officers of any noted changes in behaviors or condition of the person Documents times in the Operations Journal of the custody of persons in the holding cell area Monitors the functioning of camera systems, alarm systems and recording devices for proper functioning and operation, assuring that the technical security equipment is providing a level of security as designed Takes in items of high value or risk from individuals and assures chain of custody and security of the item until released to a police officer for processing Clerical and Other Duties 25% Creates, maintains and deletes physical access control groups within the Physical Access Control System by grouping together users and access points into patterns of access groups assigned to users Files working documents of a shift of police officers consisting of Investigative Reports (IR), Daily Operations Journals (DOJ) and violation notices (citations) Prints, arranges and presents the shift paperwork to the supervisor for approval and routing to the Police Deputy Chief Maintains the working duty roster for police by marking leave, additions or changes at the direction of the supervisory police officer Answers routine telephone calls to the facility and directs them to the proper parties Performing other work as necessary Work Schedule: 12 hour schedule to include days, nights, weekends and holidays Position Description Title/PD#: Security Assistant ( VA Police Dispatcher)/PD99858A Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary in nature in an office environment. Most duties can be accomplished from a sitting position. The mental stress is much more demanding than the physical stress because of the split decisions that must be made as a police or fire alarm activates, telephones ringing, and radio communication requesting instructions or information. Must have a keen sense of hearing in responding to numerous audible/visual signals of wire communication receivers, and occasionally weak radio transmissions or signals. Must be able to multi-task in a stressful environment.

Qualifications: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: training, leading, coordinating or supervising others in related duties such as: receiving and compiling information from various sources relating to police and emergency incidents; taking appropriate action regarding fire alarms, intrusion, duress and hold-up alarms; operating a variety of communications equipment, such as computers, alarm processors, radio consoles, SSTV system, remote controllers, card access, time lapse video tape recorders and related peripherals; compiling and preparing reports relating to events occurring in the operation of a police operations office; monitoring security surveillance cameras and detects criminal activity in progress, suspicious behavior patterns, observes suspects, and known offenders; serving as a pseudo information desk, as visitors, patients, and employees frequently stop by the highly visible office to ask general questions about the facility. OR Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 4 years of education above high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. (This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school.) OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify. Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education such as: education that is less than described above, and specialized experience that is less than described above. (For GS-5 level positions, only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized 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; 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. Security Assistants need to be eligible to gain access to, and maintain access to, the Pennsylvania Justice Network and connected systems (CLEAN/NCIC). Users of these system may not have Significant Convictions, which are defined as: Conviction or under indictment for any felony Conviction for any misdemeanor 1 (M1) or equivalently graded crimes code classification Conviction and incarceration for any misdemeanors within last ten years Conviction for any two misdemeanors within the last ten years Conviction for any computer related crime, tampering with public records, or unlawful access to stored communications

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/26/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12862143. 1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. 2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Application Deadline: 2026-01-26