JOSEPH R. BUAIS
SUMTER,SC
Summary
Dynamic Personnel Security Specialist with extensive experience at Columbia VA Healthcare System, excelling in background investigations and documentation expertise. Proven track record in enhancing security protocols and ensuring compliance with OPM standards. Strong decision-making skills and a commitment to customer service excellence drive successful outcomes in personnel suitability and security management.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Personnel Security Specialist
Columbia VA Healthcare System
Columbia, SC
01.2021 - Current
- Utilizes the GSA USAccess system to sponsor individuals for HSPD-12 PIV credentials to grant logical and physical access to client facilities and allow enrollment of fingerprints for criminal history records checks.
- Conducts pre-employment inquiries as necessary to resolve issues.
- Contacts other personnel security agencies and documents the reason for a “please call” designation in CVS.
- Conducts status checks on background investigations utilizing the automated OPM Personnel Investigations Processing System (PIPS).
- Reviews case files and making a suitability/fitness recommendation based on the criteria found in the OPM Suitability Processing Handbook.
- Reviews all documentation to ensure they are complete and accurate and that the information in all documents and case papers, hard copy or electronic, meets OPM standards for case scheduling.
- Conducts telephone and written inquiries in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974.
- Conducts Subject contact in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and obtains written statements when required.
- Conducts post-investigation follow-up necessary for issue resolution and adjudication.
- Utilizes case management systems to document adjudicative recommendations as appropriate.
- Completes adjudicative recommendations within established time frames.
- Drafts correspondence in the form of Letters of Interrogatory, Adjudicative Advisement, and Notices of Proposed Action.
- Conducts inventory and quality checks on pending Report of Investigation (ROI).
- Reports results of adjudication as required by agency policy.
- Thorough knowledge of GSA PIV card processing system, USAccess.
- Thorough knowledge of Trusted Workforce.
Information Receptionist
Columbia VA Healthcare System
Columbia, SC
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Complete tasks related to collecting, organizing, tracking information, and escorting up to 200 Veterans daily at the VA.
- Effectively tracks daily appointments and documents for up to 1000 veterans at Columbia VA Healthcare System.
- Conjointly with the Red Coat Ambassador supervisors, presents training/briefings for supervisors, managers and employees related to various aspects of hospital administration programs.
Housekeeping Aid
Columbia VA Healthcare System
Columbia, SC
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Showed exceptional custodial knowledge in the cleanliness of hospital common areas and clinical settings.
- Skilled expert of floor care and maintenance.
- Effectively use industrial powered equipment and commercial chemicals to enhance the cleanliness of the hospital.
- Exceptional customer service with outstanding rapport with veterans and employees.
Security Officer
Allied Universal
Columbia, SC
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Observed and examined identification of visitors through access control points.
- Deterred theft, pilferage, vandalism, arson, or other crimes against company property.
- Used CCTV to monitor company grounds and common areas for employee wellbeing.
Service Agent
Enterprise Car Rental
Columbia, SC
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Shuttled cars to and from various locations and dealerships for servicing; deliver and pick up cars from offices; assist with local automobile deliveries.
- Cleaned vehicles and operated washing equipment; Performed basic maintenance checks: antenna, under the hood, inside the vehicle, inside the trunk, outside vehicle, and changed tires.
- Transported customers to car rental locations from residences and dealerships.
Low Country Driver
South Carolina Department of Transportation
Columbia, SC
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Performed inspections throughout South Carolina locating route markers for road that’s rated and monitored pavement conditions; collected data and video for secondary roads, conducted quality control assessments of roads by designated counties in South Carolina.
Maintenance Mechanic Foreman
U.S. Army
Ft. Knox, KY
01.1996 - 01.2011
- Implemented a keen sense of safety consciousness in the maintenance shop by making sure everyone wore proper personal protection equipment such as steel-toed boots, hard hats and safety goggles and removed work hazards such as wedding bands or necklaces resulting in zero accidents.
- Performed appropriate troubleshooting to locate source of malfunction when visual inspection or other instruments indicated equipment malfunctions.
- Overhauled and installed diesel and gasoline engines and transmissions.
- Repaired chassis, frames and bodies of military and civilian vehicles including electrical, hydraulic and steering systems.
- Referred to blueprints, schematics, repair manuals and parts catalog to diagnose and repair equipment.
- Skilled in safe and proper use of a wide variety of power and hand tools overhead hoist and jack equipment, measuring instruments gauges and meters.
- Proficient in using voltage test equipment (includes multimeter, oscilloscope, amp clamp, megohmmeter, infrared tester, phase rotation meter, tic tracer.)
- Created a climate that boosted moral and encouraged personnel to improve and safely meet every challenge.
Education
Army Training Certification - Maintenance Operations
Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic Course
Ft. Jackson, SCAssociate of Applied Science Degree -
Trident University Int.
Chandler, AZEnlisted Professional Military Education -
Army Leadership Course
Ft. Lewis, WAHigh School Diploma -
OIC Vocational Institute
Rockford, ILSkills
- Security briefings
- Documentation expertise
- Background investigations
- Employee file management
- Personnel information systems
- Professional attitude
- Decision-making skills
- Customer service excellence
- Attention to detail
- NBIS/EAPP proficiency
- VACABS/20 knowledge
- Personnel suitability and security
- Accountability practices
- USACCESS familiarity
- PIPS/CVS experience
- USA Staffing knowledge
- HR SMART proficiency
- Leadership and supervision
- EOPF management
- Policy implementation skills
- Training and development expertise
Certification
- SUITABILITY ACTION PROCEDURES FOR SUITABILITY ADJUDICATORS COURSE
- Fundamentals of Suitability for Suitability and Fitness Adjudicators
- American Red Cross First Aid / CPR /AED
- OSHA 10 Hour Construction Safety Certificate
- EEO Prevention and Response and Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH)
- Forklift Safety and Operation Certification
- ENSA Safe Access & Rescue Climber
- Electrical Metering Safety Certification
Awards
Department of Veterans Affairs Redcoat Ambassador of the Year FY20, Recipient of the Service to the Citizen Award FY22
Accomplishments
- Department of Veterans Affairs Red Coat Ambassador of the Year FY20
- Service to the Citizen Award Recipient FY 2022
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Personnel Security Specialist
Columbia VA Healthcare System
01.2021 - Current
Information Receptionist
Columbia VA Healthcare System
01.2019 - 01.2021
Housekeeping Aid
Columbia VA Healthcare System
01.2018 - 01.2019
Security Officer
Allied Universal
01.2017 - 01.2018
Service Agent
Enterprise Car Rental
01.2014 - 01.2016
Low Country Driver
South Carolina Department of Transportation
01.2014 - 01.2015
Maintenance Mechanic Foreman
U.S. Army
01.1996 - 01.2011
Army Training Certification - Maintenance Operations
Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic Course
Associate of Applied Science Degree -
Trident University Int.
Enlisted Professional Military Education -
Army Leadership Course
High School Diploma -
OIC Vocational Institute