Security Guard

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all United States Citizens and Nationals. More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.

The Office of Protection Services (AOP) at the National Gallery of Art is responsible for safeguarding collections, visitors, staff, facilities, and information. 

Duties for this position include

• Deny admission to undesirable or unauthorized persons, prevents unauthorized removal of Gallery property.
• Serve as armed security guard at stationary posts or patrols heavily trafficked public areas or locations that are vulnerable to crimes against persons, theft, vandalism and other damage.
• Make thorough inspection during non-public hours of exhibit areas, building facilities, and perimeters to detect and report breaches of security, damage to property, fire, and other safety hazards.
• Assist coworkers, Gallery Staff, supervisors and the public with information, instructions, and directions while maintaining a pleasant and tactful manner at all times.                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Conditions of employment

• Annually re-qualify with the department's service weapon and recertifying First Aid, CPR, and physical assessment.
• Attend and successfully complete NGA training program.
• Maintain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) and First Aid qualified and have the ability to read and understand written material in language of the security force.
• Lautenberg Amendment: This position is covered by the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. A person convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence is not eligible for the position.
• Must be able to lift and carry safety equipment that may weigh up to 20 lbs. such as a fire extinguisher.
• Must be able to wear an equipment belt consisting of a weapon, keys, flashlight, radio, and other items that may have a total weight of 10 pounds during his/her tour of duty.
• Must be able to ascend and descend stairways, fixed vertical ladders, and spiral stairways.
• Must be able to walk patrols in low light areas, on uneven surfaces, in both the interior and exterior of the Gallery for up to 2.5 hours continuously without a break.
• Must be able to push, pull, slide or lift doors, hatches or gates that may weigh up to 60 lbs.
• Must be able to climb over or crawl under fixed obstructions such as utility pipes, ventilation duct sand other objects in non-public areas.
• Maintain and provide valid Driver's License
• Incumbent must be available for work on evenings, weekends and holidays.
• 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.

Qualifications

Competition for Security Guard positions is restricted by law to persons entitled to veterans' preference as long as such applicants are available for appointment.

Specialized Experience Statement: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-05 level in the Federal service or private sector, specialized experience is defined as: experience involving the protection of property against such hazards as fire, theft, damage, accident, or trespass; or maintaining order and protecting life.

OR 

Education: Successfully completed study at an accredited college or university in any subject is fully qualifying in the amount and level.

Investigation of Fitness

A character investigation may be conducted on applicants selected for employment. The purpose of such an investigation is to secure evidence of the candidate's honesty, integrity, general character, and loyalty to the U.S. Government. Such investigations will be conducted under the security requirements of the hiring agency.

Medical Requirements

The duties of these positions require moderate to arduous physical exertion and/or duties of a hazardous nature. The following medical requirements apply to all applicants: good near and distant vision, ability to distinguish basic colors, and ability to hear the conversational voice. Agencies may establish additional, job-related physical or medical requirements provided that the specific position(s) involves the arduous or hazardous duties to which the requirements relate.

Applicants and employees must have the capacity to perform the essential functions of the position without risk to themselves or others. In most instances, a specific medical condition or impairment will not automatically disqualify an applicant or employee. A medical condition or impairment is disqualifying only if the condition, for good medical reason, precludes assignment to or warrants restriction from the duties of the specific position. For some positions, the loss or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid. Reasonable accommodation shall also be considered in determining an applicant's ability to perform the duties of a position. Reasonable accommodation may include but is not limited to the use of assistive devices, job modification or restructuring, provision of readers and interpreters, or adjusted work schedules.

All positions involving Federal motor vehicle operation carry the additional medical requirements specified in 5 CFR 930 and the "General Policies and Instructions" section of this Manual.

OPM Qualifications Standard:

Individual Occupational Requirements: Security Guard Series 0085 

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements at the time of your application.

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. 

How you will be evaluated

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

Your resume will be used to evaluate your experience, education, and/or training that address the competencies below: 

• Security: Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and guidelines related to securing personnel, facilities, and information, including the requirements for handling, transporting, and protecting classified information and proper reporting of security incidents.
• Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
• Search - Knowledge of the laws, principles and methods of conducting searches on personal property such as vehicles, documents, buildings, and items. 
• Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.

Category Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of the three quality categories: The quality categories are defined as: Qualified (70-79.99), Well Qualified (80-89.99), or Best Qualified (90-100)

Qualified Category = Does not exceed the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.

Well Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the Critical Competencies defined below. (This category must be met to be considered under ICTAP procedures)

Best Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and excels in the Critical Competencies defined below. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position.

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.

Note: Competition for Security Guard positions is restricted by law to persons entitled to veterans' preference as long as such applicants are available for appointment.

• Some jobs require proof of a specific license, like a driver's license or professional license. See the job announcement for details.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your Resume (no more than 2 pages) showing the applicant's name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment, and duties performed to include pay plan, series, and grade level for relevant federal experience. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications.

• Do not include the following types of information in your resume:
  • Classified or government sensitive information
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Photos of yourself
  • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
  • Encrypted and digitally signed documents

2. Other supporting documents:
   • Cover Letter, optional
   • Most recent Performance Appraisal, optional
   • Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.) If you are a veteran and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility.
     If you are a veteran and you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference click here.
   • Current Driver's License 

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. 

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