Security Guard

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: The position is for a Security Guard with Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Providing visitor protection and public safety at one of the Nation's most historic landmarks.

Recruitment or Relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

Learn more about this agency

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

• Conduct foot or vehicle patrol of perimeters, roadways, parking and other high traffic areas as well as interior of shops, storage, administrative and other structures.
• Conduct vehicle searches/inspections in accordance with standing operating procedures.
• Secure installation from all unauthorized entry on own initiative or upon notification of alarm or emergency.
• Question suspicious persons and warns or detains violators of laws, regulations, policies, rules or posted warnings.
• Perform security guard duties in accordance with appropriate regulations to detect and prevent theft, damage, accident, trespass, sabotage and espionage and to enforce the security and safety regulations of the installation.
• Inspects containers, personal property, documents on private, commercial, and governmental vehicles.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must abide by requirements of applicable Individual Reliability Program.
• Incumbent is required prior to employment, to undergo, and pass, a complete medical physical, at government facility at government expense and must also undergo this requirement annually.
• This position is a Testing Designated Position subject to applicant testing and random drug testing. Selectees will be required to sign DA Form 5019 requiring participation in random drug urinalysis testing.
• Shift work is required or change in work shift may be necessary.
• Incumbent must be proficient in the use of assigned firearms/weapons, pass an initial qualification, and must qualify semi-annually thereafter in the use of assigned firearms/weapons.
• Incumbent is subject to possible civil actions due to improper exercises of authority or injudicious use of force in the detention of individuals.
• Incumbent must successfully complete security guard training.
• Incumbent must successfully complete CPR certification, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and First Aid training.
• Incumbent may be required to wear chemical protection masks, gloves, and other protective equipment, and may be required to be certified in the use of aerosol irritants and baton.
• Incumbent will be required to pass entry level and annual re-certification of standard Army physical fitness/agility test.
• Position requires scheduled training in the techniques of use of deadly force, anti-/counterterrorism, first aid, firearms, search and seizure, security operations and enforcement of installation rules, regulations, and policies.
• Incumbent must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Incumbent must wear a prescribed uniform.
• Good eye/hand coordination is required to operate radios and security weapons and equipment.
• Works both inside and outside with possible exposure to inclement weather.
• This is as a Mission Essential (ME) position and is occupied by an agency designated Emergency employee.
• Incumbent must be able to lift at least 50 pounds or more.
• This position is covered by the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. Persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are not eligible for this position.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Physical Ability Test (PAT): All Applicants and Employees must pass PAT. PAT consists of: 19 Pushups in 2 minutes; Running 1.5 miles (2.41 km) in 17:30 minutes.

GS-04 Experience and/or Education Requirements:

General and/or Specialized Experience: Six months of general experience which includes following written procedures, rules, and regulations in contacts with staff members or the public to provide a service, respond to inquiries, or obtain information AND six months of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-03 grade level in the Federal service which includes protecting property against such hazards as fire, theft, damage, accident or trespass; OR maintaining order and protecting life. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-03). (NOTE: Successful completion of training in an accredited technical school that covers subjects such as physical security procedures, local laws, ore investigative techniques is considered qualifying for specialized experience on a month-for-month basis).

OR

Education: Two years of education above the high school level in an accredited college or university.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education by 60. Add the two percentages.

GS-05 Specialized Experience: One year specialized experience which includes controlling access to a facility; verifying identification at facility entry points; and utilizing equipment to protect property from hazards such as fire, theft, or damage. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-4).

GS-06 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes experience with a Federal, state, municipal, local, or private protective organization performing vehicle searches to confiscate unauthorized items; directing traffic; and determining appropriate authorization for access points. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required..
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• This is a(n) Installation Management Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
• Recruitment, Relocation, and/or Advanced In-Hire incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• Advance Leave Accrual (service credit for annual leave accrual) may be granted for certain non-Federal work experience and experience in the uniformed service.

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.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

Required Documents

The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.

As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

1. Your resume:

• Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
• For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
• Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
• If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
• For additional information, to include formatting tips, see: What to include in your resume.

2. Other supporting documents:

• Cover Letter, optional
• Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable
• This position has an individual occupational requirement and/or allows for substitution of education for experience. If you meet this requirement based on education you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses

NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/02/2026 to receive consideration

• Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section.
• You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
• After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
• You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete.
• It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
• Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/applicant/profile/dashboard/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk

Website

https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq

Address

HT-W1C9AA ARMY NATIONAL MILITARY CEMETERIES

DO NOT MAIL

Arlington, VA 22211

US

Next steps

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking (as applicable) for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.

Overview

Accepting applications

Posted this week · Apply by 07/02/26

Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 2, 2026

Location

2 vacancies in the following location:

Arlington, VA

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible

No

Remote job

No

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Salary

$43,544 - $70,599 per year

Pay scale & grade

GS 4 - 6

Promotion potential

6

Learn more about pay scale and grade

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

• 0085 Security Guard

Supervisory status

No

Federal service type

This job is in the Competitive Service

Represented by a union

Yes

Drug test

Yes

Security clearance

Secret

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.

Background check type

• Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure required

No

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number

DAHT-26-12992624-DHA

Control number

874326700