Clarification from the agency

Current Smithsonian Institution Internal Employees/Agency Employees Only may apply including current Smithsonian Institution employees with Federal career/career-conditional status or eligibility. More than one selection may be made from this announcement.

As a Security Guard (Control Room Operator), you will monitor the operation of electronic integrated security computer, radio communication, voice recording, fire alarm, safety, and access control systems. These systems are designed to protect all Smithsonian staff, visitors, collections and property.

Typical Duties:

• Prevents theft, vandalism and crime by monitoring multiple security systems, fire and safety systems within a security unit control room.
• Uses knowledge of security procedures and physical layout of grounds/facilities to evaluates alarm activity and determine and communicate the location and nature of each security breach.
• Coordinates patrols assigned to areas to check locks, alarms, door exhibit cases and other barriers.
• Monitors a computerized card access control system, which controls the access of authorized personnel into high security areas.
• Serves as the unit point of contact in the event of emergencies and natural disaster that threaten the safety and security of SI artifacts, staff, events and visitors.
• Assists in evacuating public and staff during emergencies.

Conditions of employment

• Requires career/career-conditional status or eligibility.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment

Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met by the closing date of the announcement. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.

Incumbent Must be able to stand and walk for long periods of time.  Must be able to lift up to 50lbs. without assistance.  Incumbent must be available for work on evening, weekends and holidays. 

This position is restricted to applicants with veterans preference; however, applications will be accepted from non-preference eligibles who may be referred for employment consideration only in the absence of applicants with veterans preference.

Incumbent must complete all initial Control Room Operator training and certification requirements.

Incumbent must qualify annually at a minimum for the Control Room Operator re-certification test.

This position requires pre-employment drug screening.

This position requires annual (at a minimum) with the standard security force firearm (handguns, rifles and shot guns), OC Spray and ASP Baton. This position requires selectee(s) to be able to wear and be able to employ all issued weapons while on duty. 

This position requires selectee(s)to undergo and pass a recurring medical examination.

Employment is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment requirements process that may consist of: structured interview, drug test, laboratory screening, medical evaluation, and background investigation.

Upon successful completion of the pre-employment requirements, a final offer of employment may be issued.

Issuance of a final offer of employment from SI is contingent upon you successfully completing all pre-employment requirements, including a structured interview, drug test, laboratory screening, medical evaluation, and background investigation.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 level in the Federal Service.  For this position, specialized experience is defined as: 1) Operating within a wide variety of security management systems such as radio communications, fire and safety
systems; 2) Utilizing specialized entry and access requirements, methods and procedures to safeguard national treasures, work of art, literary collections, and artifacts in large
government facilities; and 3) Processing information from multiple electronic communication sources and other sources to create incident reports. 4. Monitoring and
reviewing security management systems such as access control, CCTV, mass notification, fire, and life safety.

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.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

1. Security Technology.
2. Communication.
3. Security Methods.
4. Emergency Situation.

Important Note:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.