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Security Guard

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
GATEWAY ARCH NATIONAL PARK
This job announcement has closed

Summary

If you have questions regarding the AREA or the DUTIES of these positions, please contact Kevin Green atkevin_green@nps.gov or 314-655-1728 .

NOTE: These are preference eligible first positions. All preference eligible veterans determined to be qualified for the positions will be considered before any non-preference veteran or non-veteran. After all preference eligible veterans have been considered, non-preference and non-veterans may then be considered.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/23/2023 to 03/03/2023
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$18.47 to - $18.47 per hour
Pay scale & grade
GS 5
Location
14 vacancies in the following location:
Saint Louis, MO
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - 1039 hours
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
MW-1544-JEFF-23-11857423-DE
Control number
708502200

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Duties

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The Park Security Guard provides security services to the Gateway Arch Complex by monitoring and screening visitors as they enter the complex with the use of walk-through magna-scanners and scanning visitors' personal belongings with radiographic (x-ray) equipment. The Park Security Guard is normally the first person the visitor will encounter, and the position requires a normal degree of tact and courtesy with the public contacts while ensuring compliance with pertinent rules and regulations governing facility access and physical security. The position is at a fixed post. Training is accomplished by using computer-based training (CBT) programs. Basic skill in operating computers is helpful.

Physical Demands: The work of the Security Guard regularly includes long periods of standing or sitting in a limited space, or standing outside in inclement weather. The Security Guard is expected to perform these duties 8 hours or more per shift. The work also includes bending, reaching, and stooping while using hand-held magnetometer. Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds continuously, up to 50 pounds occasionally. The Security Guard may occasionally have to move magnetometers and/or x-ray machines.

Must be able to distinguish objects or the screening equipment monitor and be able to distinguish basic colors and shades of color, each color displayed and explain what each color signifies. Must have correctable vision to recognize, distinguish differences, and identify images on x-ray monitors, and read typed material. Must be able to hear and respond to the spoken voice and to audible alarms generated by screening equipment in an active checkpoint environment.

Duties require manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and knee joints to be able to efficiently and thoroughly manipulate and handle baggage, containers, and other objects subject to security processing. Must also possess sufficient dexterity and capability to conduct thorough hand­ metal detector and, only as necessary, pat-down search procedures over an individual's entire body.

Security checks of buildings require walking. The Security Guard may have to walk all or part of the steps inside the legs of the Arch, the tram load zones, or any of the stairways on the Arch grounds or in and around the Old Courthouse. Must be able to tactfully interact with a multitude of visitors simultaneously, many of which are highly anxious to get into the Arch quickly, while doing pre-screen checks of visitors' possessions on the entrance ramps.

There is a high-stress component to aspects of the Security Guard's work assignment. Work can be emotionally stressful due to the sheer volume of visitors contacted within an 8 hour shift or due to the potential unknown risks that arise at the checkpoint at any given time that include risks to personal safety.

Working Conditions: The Security Guard works closely with others and in constant noise during days of heavy visitation. Work fluctuates between indoors within a climate controlled facility and outdoors performing package pre-screening functions on the Arch entrance ramp, roving patrols of grounds or stand a fixed post during a special event such as "Fair St. Louis". The Security Guard is subjected to bad weather when work is performed outside.

Shift work is required including evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasionally covering a 24-hour period in cases such as an emergency or special event. Unscheduled or scheduled overtime and call-outs may be required. Work during emergencies may include prolonged periods of time without rest or breaks.

At a fixed post, the Security Guard performs magnetometer and x-ray machine operations at one of two security checkpoints located in the Arch Complex. Operation of x-ray equipment exposes the Security Guard to a level of risk to radiation exposure, therefore all specific safety procedures and other precautions are mandatory.

At the security checkpoint, Security Guard will encounter mentally disturbed individuals, uncooperative and/or disorderly individuals, persons who are intoxicated and/or under the influence of drugs, persons with loaded illegal firearms, various illegal knives or other illegal or dangerous weapons, illegal drugs or other unknown substances, and persons carrying explosive devices. The Security Guard must remain calm and use good judgement in appropriately dealing with the situation including obtaining assistance from law enforcement Park Rangers without causing chaos or civil disorder.

Gateway Arch National Park, as identified for potential terroristic activity, is operating at a heightened security awareness level which creates varying stressors that the employee must effectively cope with.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
  • You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties.
  • You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • You may be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and/or shift work.
  • Required to operate x-ray machines. You must be willing and able to operate x-ray machines to scan bags, packages, and persons. Operation of x-ray machines requires computer-based training, correctable vision, and ability to distinguish colors.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-03/03/2023-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: working with a Federal, State, municipal, local or private protective organization that involved the protection of property against such hazards as fire, theft, damage, accident, or trespass; or maintaining order and protecting life. Such experience must have provided a knowledge of protective systems and techniques. Acceptable experience includes service in the Armed Services or Coast Guard that involved the performance of guard duties on a regular or intermittent basis. You must include hours per week worked on your resume.
EDUCATION: There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level of this announcement.

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.

Additional information
A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Click the following link for more

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level of this announcement.

Additional information

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS).

If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility.

The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM.

Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Click the following link for more information, https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessments required for this position. A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:

  • Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position.
  • Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job.
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Technical Competence
  • Technical Documentation

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