Summary
The Security Specialist assists the National Centers for Animal Health (NCAH) Physical Security Manager in the overall management of implementation and monitoring of security policy and procedures including the overall management, maintenance, installation, implementation, and monitoring of security equipment and perimeter gates to control access points, to include policy and procedures intended to safeguard the physical security of personnel and assets.
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Duties
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- The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to:
- Works to prevent the unauthorized access to personnel, equipment, facilities, and material; safeguarding property from damage and theft.
- Assists in conducting intrusion and physical security risk assessment and vulnerability assessment surveys and inspections to ensure security systems are in place adequate and functional.
- Provides electrical and/or security technical expertise and operational support for all locations that have electrical power supporting security-computer controlled equipment and software programs.
- Responds to incidents, and assist the Incident Command and Safety and Security Unit Lead as directed in emergency response, and/or provide and support communication equipment to responders.
- Conducts periodic vulnerability assessments, physical security reviews, evaluations and facility inspections to assess the effectiveness of existing policies, standards and practices; and to identify
- Monitors the system's performance; apprises the vendor of system malfunctions, and coordinates/assists in making systems adjustments required to ensure a fully operational system.
- Maintains appropriate records and logs of all pertinent information regarding modifications, maintenance, operating characteristics, and repairs made to control logic systems.
- Prepares correspondence, estimates, status reports, and schedules (as required) to complete control system design installation.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
- You must be a US Citizen or US National.
- Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
- Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
- Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
- Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
- Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
- Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
- All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
- Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) database check required for work involving Biological Select Agents and Toxins.
- Work will occasionally be in the high containment Agricultural Biosafety Level (BSL-3AG) facilities that will require the ability to change clothing, re-dress into a work suit, and shower prior to exiting the BSL-3 facility.
- The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
- Interpreting physical security concepts and policies to solve security problems and recommending corrective actions
- Modifying, troubleshooting and maintaining electronic security systems
- Planning new equipment acquisition and installation
- Ensuring compliance of Federal, State, and local regulations regarding life safety and fire codes
OR master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field of study such as Industrial Security Management, Security Engineering, Security Management, and Security Systems, or other related degrees, or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.
TRANSCRIPTS are required if:
- You are qualifying for the position based on education.
- You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
- This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.
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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
Please see above for education qualification requirement information.
Additional information
- Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
- First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
- Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
- Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
- Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.
- Must perform considerable physical activity during the course of work operations such as walking, climbing steps and ladders, crawling, bending, stooping, and kneeling. May be required to lift equipment that weighs fifty pounds or more.
- Will work in tiring, hot, and uncomfortable situations such as in mechanical rooms, around operating equipment, high pressure steam, toxic chemicals, and various types of electrical, security, and laboratory equipment.
- May be required to occasionally wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks or respirators, hearing protection, eye protection, boots, gloves, and coveralls.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
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.