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Security Guard

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Midwest Region, Gateway Arch National Park

Summary

You will serve as a Security Guard located at the Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, Missouri.

You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.

Salary Range Information (Per Annum): *First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level.

GS-05: $41,769 (Step 1*) - $54,300 (Step 10)

This is a Permanent, Full-time, Competitive appointment.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
10 vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$41,769 - $54,300 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CAHO-26-13053894-DE-RJ
Control number
883526100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Appointment to this position is restricted to veterans' preference eligibles unless there are no qualified preference eligibles available. Applications will be accepted from non-preference candidates, but they will not be considered unless the preference eligible list is exhausted. All U.S. Citizens - No previous Federal service is required. CTAP/ICTAP within the local commuting area.

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Duties

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At the full performance level (GS-05) the major duties of this Security Guard position include, but are not limited to the following:

  1. 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.
  2. Working at fixed post, requires sitting and standing for long periods and repetitive movements.
  3. Providing 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.
  4. Providing 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.
  5. Protecting Park resources and the public.
???????The Gateway Arch National Park is located in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, on the banks of the Mississippi River. The park memorializes the city's role in westward expansion through the 630-foot Gateway Arch and underground Museum at the Gateway Arch. The Old Courthouse commemorates the site where the slave Dred Scott began his freedom suit, ultimately leading to the divisive U.S. Supreme Court decision that polarized the nation and became a leading cause of the Civil War. "Whether you're single or have a family, a sports fan or connoisseur of the arts, a fitness fanatic or a film aficionado, St. Louis has something for you." -St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association. A sports lover's paradise, fans are kept on the edge of their seats all year by a host of professional teams. With remarkable low cost of living for all the comforts and attractions it affords, St. Louis has a small-town feel, yet offers all the amenities you'd expect in a major metropolitan area, including top-notch health care and education resources. The City of St. Louis is relatively small, but the surrounding metropolitan area with nearly two million residents in both Missouri and Illinois offers many suburban and rural counties for easy commutes. Cultural institutions abound; in Forest Park alone, you'll find the Zoo, Art Museum, History Museum, Science Center, the Municipal Opera and more. There are over 100 parks and some 200 miles of cycling, running and walking trails.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Direct Deposit participation required.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/.
  • Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
  • Must possess and maintain a CPR certification.
  • Pre-employment and random drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
  • You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:
  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/17/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level:

  • Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
    • Protecting people, property, or facilities through security or protective services;
    • Screening people or property and controlling access using established security procedures; AND
    • Documenting incidents and interacting with the public while maintaining a safe and secure environment.
You must include hours per week worked.

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.

Education

This position does not allow substituting education for experience.

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 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 on 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.

Work Environment: 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. The Security Guard is exposed to high risk and potentially dangerous situations. Any emergency law enforcement operations that the Security Guard may become involved with require work in or about hazardous environments, exposure to dangerous persons and substances, and potential exposure to infectious diseases, secondary explosive devices, or biological or chemical contamination. They will also be verbally or physically confronted with disgruntled, disorderly, or highly volatile persons who may not want to comply with directions. 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 judgment 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.

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

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.

All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions.

The duties of this position are not suitable for telework.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

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 any additional assessment(s) required for this position.

Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

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 the following 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 assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Teamwork

In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of the USA Hire Assessment, if required.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of additional assessment(s), including a structured resume review. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job.

Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified, score at least 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.

National Park Service

The Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation's natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island Communities. Click here to learn more about the Department of the Interior and its bureaus.

The mission of the National Park Service (NPS) is to preserve the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. You can make a difference by bringing your unique experience, background, and perspective to our work. Click here to learn more about the National Park Service.

Agency contact information

DOI DE Team
Email
DETeam@ios.doi.gov
Address
Gateway Arch National Park
11 North 4th Street
Saint Louis, MO 63102
US

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