Police Officer

Police Officer

The incumbent is responsible for the operation, direction, and control of the law enforcement and physical security activities of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Health Care System (HCS), or Police Service (PS). The mission of the PS is to serve and protect Veterans, patients, employees, contractors, volunteers, affiliates, visitors, and others who frequent VA facilities. Responsibilities major duties include, but are not limited to :

Serving as a Police Officer carrying out responsibilities where most work is performed on Veterans Affairs Departmental properties, which includes any properties owned, leased, or licensed to VA. Providing policing services in a variety of jurisdictional environments, where each type of jurisdiction (Exclusive, Concurrent, and Proprietorial) has different enforcement rules and requires Police Officers to understand the complexities and legally apply the correct set of laws, regulations, and processes. Providing services routinely at all segments of VA facilities located over large geographical areas, some of which may be in different states, counties, municipalities, or townships. Performing certain elements of the work away from Departmental properties when consistent with Federal law, regulation, VA policy, and operational guidance. Protecting Veterans, volunteers, and others on Departmental property, U.S. officials, other individuals, and him or herself during any given situation against threats to personal safety when force becomes necessary to enforce laws and regulations. Protecting Veterans, employees and visitors sensitive and protected medical information from unauthorized release or unauthorized use where prohibited by law and or policy as guided by the privacy officer, FOIA, HIPPA, etc. Carrying firearms and other weapons, intervening when necessary to deescalate situations, and determining when and how much force must be applied. Advising individuals of their (Miranda, Weingarten, Garrity, etc.) rights, and protecting the constitutional and civil rights of persons. Conducting investigations, apprehensions, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the US, protection, and transport of U.S. officials. Conducting investigations with a nexus to VA, prisoner transports, patient search and recovery, life-saving efforts, disaster response and recovery, asset protection during transit, training, and other matters. Identifying and preserving evidence, writing comprehensive incident reports, preparing case files, and testifying in court as it pertains to enforcing laws and regulations. Providing patrol in vehicles, on foot, and / or on a bicycle. Detecting and intervening in criminal activity; responding to calls for police assistance, irregularities, and unusual or suspicious circumstances. Investigating incidents and taking steps to mitigate further risk and resolve situations. Providing emergency response coordination as needed. Performing drug and contraband intervention techniques and providing training to those areas where contraband identification and knowledge is imperative for the staff. Serving as an interregnal part of the suicide prevention program and is often the first person seen by Veterans. Intervening when possible to deescalate active suicidal behavior and / or prevent suicides. Operating specialized vehicles and equipment in support of law enforcement and security operations. Determining whether situations are criminal or civil and taking appropriate steps for each. Determining the level of crime committed (petty offense, misdemeanor, or felony, Federal or State statute); and taking applicable enforcement action. Enforcing traffic rules and regulations, including those related to speeding and reckless operation of vehicles while impaired or intoxicated.

Work Schedule

Varying Tours 3 / 12's (To be discussed during interview process) Compressed / Flexible Schedule : Candidates must be willing to work weekends, irregular work hours and extended hours if determined by the needs of the service. Furthermore, candidates must be willing to be placed, detailed, or temporarily assigned to other related services and / or locations, if necessary.

Position Description

Title / PD# : Police Officer / PD90525A

Physical Requirements

The work requires, on a regular and recurring basis, considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as running, frequent climbing of multiple flights of stairs, and carrying items weighing over 50 pounds. It requires stamina, physical agility, dexterity, and the strength to pursue, apprehend or detain persons who are often uncooperative, assaultive, and / or armed. Work Conditions : The work involves both moderate and high risks and possible endangerment of life or serious injury that requires the exercise of safety precautions and use of personal protective equipment The work is performed in settings in which there is regular and recurring exposure to moderate to severe discomforts and unpleasantness, such as high temperatures in confined spaces, high temperatures due to mandatory protective personal equipment, or adverse weather conditions during extended periods of traffic and patrol duties. The work involves moderate risk requiring exercise of safety precautions when working around hazardous materials such as toxic gases, explosives, infectious biological materials, and others that pose a moderate risk of exposure.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may 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. 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. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job Subject to a background / suitability investigation Designated and / or random drug testing may be required May serve a probationary period Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12 / 31 / 1959 A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https : / / www.uscis.gov / i-9-central / form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Pre-employment physical required Must possess a current valid, state-issued driver's license. Must be able to achieve and maintain qualification / certification with agency-approved firearm

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10 / 20 / 2025. You may qualify based on your experience and / or education as described below : Specialized Experience : You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization of the Federal service (or equivalent pay band), that provided a knowledge of a body of basic laws and regulations, law enforcement operations, practices, and techniques and involved responsibility for maintaining order and protecting life and property. Specialized experience includes : conducting investigations, apprehensions and detentions of persons suspected or convicted of criminal violations; maintaining order to protect life and property; taking initial complaints; interviewing witnesses; securing a crime scene and conducting limited searches; responding to emergency situations; gathering information and preparing reports; conducting routine patrol, traffic control, and traffic accident investigations. NOTE : Creditable specialized experience may have been gained in work on a police force; through service as a military police officer; in work providing visitor protection and law enforcement in parks, forests, or other natural resource or recreational environments; in performing criminal investigative duties; or in other work that provided the required knowledge and skills. Experience as a security guard or corrections officer is generally not qualifying. NOTE : You must provide detailed information of your experience performed. Information such as "I was a Patrolman", "I was a Police Officer for a number of years," or "I enforced Federal, State, county, and laws" is insufficient to determine your qualifications. Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start / end dates AND hour worked per week. OR, Education : Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in Police Science or a comparable degree program related to the work of the position. This education must have been obtained at an accredited college or university. NOTE : Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination : Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have successfully completed a Federal, State, county, or municipal police academy or comparable training course that included at least 40 classroom hours of instruction in police department procedures and methods, and local law and regulations, to substitute a maximum of 3 months of specialized experience AND possess at least 9 months of specialized experience as identified above. NOTE : Appropriate documentation of completion must be submitted with your application materials. Driver's License Requirement : Applicants must possess a valid, unrestricted State driver's license, have a safe driving record, and demonstrate that he or she is medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely. Applicants are required to pass agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination. NOTE :