Job annoucement, NAS Whidbey Island, Security Guard, GS5

Link below is current announcement on USAJOBS for Security Guard, GS-0085-05.
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?OPMControl=2410036

SALARY RANGE: $33,414.00 - $43,434.00 /year
OPEN PERIOD: Friday, September 30, 2011 to Wednesday, October 05, 2011
SERIES & GRADE: GS-0085-05
POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time Career/Career Conditional
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 05
DUTY LOCATIONS: 2 vacancies - Whidbey Island, WA
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: Current Federal, VEOA, VRA, and ICTAP Eligibles.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:
-You must be a US Citizen.
-Must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal & Regulatory Guidance.
-Suitable for Federal employment as determined by background investigation.
-This position is a Drug Testing Designated Position (TDP).
-You must obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance
-Relocation expenses are NOT authorized

Additional Duty Location Info:

As a Security Guard, your duties will include but are not limited to:

. Conducting private and commercial vehicle inspections.
. Directing vehicle and pedestrian traffic during emergencies and normal rush hour traffic.
. Providing technical direction to the entry control/vehicle inspection team.
. Providing testimony in a court of law.

Make that GS12 and we'll talk.

Ah, I see.

But is it union?

Actually, yes, they are represented by a union.
You do not have to be a dues paying member of the union in order to receive union representation.

Any clue if it's like a SEIU type union (the bad kind) or a seafarers international union (the good kind)?

It it's SIU style it'd be worth jumping on for sure.

There are a number of different unions that can rep DoD civilains... not sure which covers this location... their need / value can vary greatly from agency to agency, from local to local.

I took one of those low grade GS jobs back in the early 90s after leaving the Army and within 11 years, 2 paid moves, 1 unpaid move and 3 "basic" LEO training academies, I'm now at the pay grade of GS-13 , where I've been for several years now and I have less than 2 years to go before reaching retirement at the age of 50 "IF" I want to retire at that age or work a few more years... It would be my choice, which is a good feeling.

If you are looking to get your foot in the door, this is a pretty good deal that can lead to something far better "IF" you are willing to move where the promotions and/or better positions are. These security jobs often lead to covered "C6" LEO positions within the federal system. One of my co-workers started off as a security guard at a Naval shipyard back in the 90s and he is doing very well these days.

Federal employees have a bad rep., but if you are sharp and a hard worker, you will move up fast in the ranks. Trust me, you will earn your money and the days of just hanging around for a check and moving up through "time in service" are over. Yes, there are plenty of individuals who have more than 15 years under their belts AND are still at the entry level pay grades.... If that's your goal and you are happy with that, God bless you, but you can go as far as you push yourself within the federal system. I knew a few GS-7s who that the time of their retirement wished they did more in their careers before retiring.

One thing I've noticed over 18 years of service is that it's hard for some people, not everybody, to move out of their "comfort zones" and take on new duties and/or responsibilities.

Again, if you are happy with retiring in the pay grades of GS-5/7 that's fine and I'm not knocking that, but to me, retirement would be hard if you don't have something like a military retirement, a VA pension or a second job lined up before or after retiring from a federal position at those pay grades.

I started off as a GS-4 Police Officer... I took a 10K cut in pay per year from the private sector for job security AND a retirement plan, which was very important to me since jobs with a retirement plan are going away very fast these days.

I left the Army after serving 12 years on Active Duty and I was able to do 8 more years in the Army Reserves as an E-7, which included a tour in Baghdad, Iraq, for a military reservist retirement pension at the age of 60 (+ or - a few years). I bring this up since if you are getting out of the military (Active Duty) or currently in the military reserves, applying for a federal job doesn't stop you from finishing up a career in the military at the same time. Also, you will be given "X" numbers of weeks for military leave, which doesn't count against your earned leave.

Some people will hate you for working for the government and think that you are overpaid and under worked, but to be very honest, I don't care what they think since at the end of the day, I'm responsible for myself and my family. Remember this... If you do not apply for these jobs, somebody else will and get that job and all the opportunities that might come with it.

Good luck!!!!

Thanks for the info, Bergunx.

With jobs like this, once you're in the Federal system I've been lead to believe that it makes it easier to lat move to different jobs in the system.


For instance, I've applied for the Border Patrol. Would taking a potentially easier to obtain job such as a security position "get my foot in the door" to move on to bigger and better things or is that frowned upon/ not the case at all?

Madcap72,

Yes and yes. Once in the system... Any federal position, applying for another position is far easier than an “off the street” hire. Also, depending on your position/job classification, you might have an OPM (Office of Personal Management) security clearance of some type done on you. This is a big thing since once getting a security clearance and maintaining it, makes you more attractive to other agencies since it cost money and time to hire somebody and if you know that they already have a current AND active security clearance, this person probably will not have a “surprise” or an “issue” popping up during the hiring phase.

Believe it or not, it’s a pain to find quality people for entry level positions since a lot of people… Not everybody, but a good number, think that they should start off in management these days, but as I stated in my first posting, if you are a solid person and a hard worker you will move up fast.

For a direct answer to your question, as for this security guard position helping you later in moving into a Border Patrol Agent position within U.S. DHS/CBP…. YES!!!!

Look on the internet at the job description for both positions… Yes, they are 2 different series, but the job tasks are very similar, making you a better candidate for a BPA position over somebody else. In the federal system, you are rated on your KSA (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) for every position you apply for and if you already have most of the KSAs in your background, you will be a stronger candidate. BTW, a friend, a full-time National Guard member, just passed his interview, background and medical with Border Patrol and now just waiting for an academy date.

Just some extra tips to think about;

A) Are you a recent military veteran or combat vet?? If so, an extra 5 points on your application.
B) Are you a disable veteran with a 30% or higher rating?? If so, an extra 10 points on your application.
C) Were you awarded a Purple Heart Medal?? If so, an extra 10 points on your application.

FYI, a BPA position is a "6C" covered position, which means that you can retire after serving 20 year and at the age of 50 or older "OR" after serving 25 years, you can retire at any age.

Good luck and I wish you the best!!

bergunx has it covered very well, but I'll add that once you're in a permanent position (not a temp or term) you have more opportunities as many jobs are only offered internally.

So much good info, thanks again!



I qualify for the 5 points for Veteran status, and am probably going to finally go in and get rated for disability after putting it off for awhile (pride).

Let me know If you need any help navigating that process... I have a direct line to someone who rates claims for VA.

Copyright © 1996 - 2013 :: AR15.Com LLC :: All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.