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Police Officer

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Richmond, Virginia
Closing date
Jul 1, 2019
Duties

Summary

VA police officers are a vital part of a safe and secure environment. Veteran Centered Policing is a VA-specific model by which the VA police force serves and protects Veterans, employees and all others who access VA care and services. This model of policing goes beyond law enforcement and focuses on ensure that VA police demonstrate the ideals of the Department's core values reflected in I CARE when interacting with Veterans and those that also serve Veterans.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The incumbent has arrest authority and is required to carry a firearm and other departmental issued weapons in the performance of their duties. Protects persons and property by detecting and enforcing violations against the criminal laws of the United States occurring within the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Duties include but not limited to: Enforcing, investigating, detaining, and apprehending individuals suspected of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States, State and/or Commonwealth criminal and traffic laws, and the laws and regulations governing security and law enforcement within the Department of Veterans Affairs; protecting patients, visitors, employees, and property against physical threats and harm; determining the need for and conducts searches to collect and secure evidence and contraband; securing crime scenes and accident and disaster sites. Analyzing facts to identify suspects and develop case information for use in pressing charges and bringing suspects to trial. Maintaining a working knowledge of laws and regulations as well as Supreme Court decisions affecting constitutional rights. Plans and conducts short-term criminal/administrative investigations on and off Department controlled property in accordance with Title 38 USC § 902 for alleged or suspected violations against the criminal laws of the United States committed by employees, patients, visitors and unaffiliated persons. Investigates complaints, identifies, collects, preserves, and processes physical evidence, interviews complainants and victims, seeks out and interviews witnesses, suspects and others involved, ensures constitutional and other applicable rights are protected while obtaining statements. Determines the type of report or document necessary to properly document the incident. Operates complex communications equipment, computers, databases, recording equipment, alarms systems (electronic security systems).

Work Schedule: Various hours and shifts.
Position Description Title/PD#: Police Officer/1851

Preferred Experience: Prefer at least 2 years of full time certified law enforcement experience with full arrest authority. Must have graduated from an accredited military or civilian police academy.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
6

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process


Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

GS-6 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: experience which provided 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; conducting routine foot and/or vehicle patrols; responding to routine and emergency calls for police assistance; issuing traffic citations; questioning individuals at the scene of a crime; informing individuals about their rights as suspects; subduing unruly individuals; and preparing written reports involving criminal and/or civil offenses. You must possess knowledge of applicable laws of the Federal, state, county, or municipal government, possess arrest authority and have the ability to use a firearm. In addition, you must have sufficient knowledge to prevent and/or resolve criminal offenses at the scene; conducting preliminary investigations at a crime scene; pursuing and apprehending persons fleeing from a crime scene or resisting arrest; providing testimony in court; taking charge of a crime or accident scene; and interviewing witnesses of a crime or accident. Examples of creditable service include work on a police force, through service as a military police officer; or performing criminal investigative duties.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

Specialized experience must have included active arrest authority and firearm proficiency with a license to carry; experience as a security guard or corrections officer is generally not qualifying.

Examples of specialized experience include performing duties, such as:
Responding to calls or alarms involving crimes
Questioning individuals at the scene
Establishing the identity of injured parties
Identifying the nature of incidents, and taking statements
Informing individuals about their rights as suspects and/or witnesses
Issuing citations
Enforcing speed limits
Assisting at accident scenes
Preparing reports that describe events that may be used in future legal actions
Responding to duress alarms and subduing unruly individuals
Patrolling
Pursuing and apprehending person
Subduing individuals causing disturbances
Identifying and arresting violators
Making arrest and performing booking procedures, conducting investigations
Questioning and taking statements from victims, witnesses, and complainants; interrogating suspects
Applying all correct rules of search and seizure
Analyzing facts to identify suspects and develop case information.

Selective Placement Factor: Candidates must have at least one year of full-time certified law enforcement experience with full arrest authority and graduation from an accredited military or civilian police academy.

There is no educational substitution for the GS-6 level.

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; religions; 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.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR POLICE OFFICER POSITIONS :
1. 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.
2. VA Police Officers must be able to achieve and maintain mandatory firearm and weapons qualification/certification.
3. New VA Police Officers are required to attend a 10-week course at the VA Law Enforcement Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.
4. New VA Police Officers are required to pass a Field Training Officer (FTO) review upon graduation from the VA Law Enforcement Training Center.
5. A character investigation will 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.
6. A medical examination is required. The duties of these positions require moderate to arduous physical exertion and/or duties of a hazardous nature.
7. Applicants and employees must have the capacity to perform the essential functions of the position without risk to themselves or others. Applicants and employees must possess emotional and mental stability. A psychological examination is required.

LAUTENBERG AMENDEMENT: Applicants who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are ineligible for Federal Law Enforcement, including U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Police Officer positions.

Physical Requirements: The work requires on a regular and recurring basis considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as frequent climbing of multiple flights of stairs, running, lifting heavy objects over 50 pounds, crouching or crawling in restrictive areas during search or pursuit activities, or defending oneself or others against physical attack. Body armor, police duty equipment and firearm(s) must be worn and carried at all times. The wearing of this equipment significantly amplifies the physical strain experienced by the employee during physical exertion or during periods of hot weather. Employees are regularly required to work long hours. Must have the ability to use firearms. Both eyes are required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, and emotional stability under stress. Ability to run in pursuit of suspects. Responding to all life's rescue, safety and fire emergencies to include the ability to carry persons in emergency evacuations must use physical ability to restrain violent persons. Intervenes in assaults, criminal acts and disturbances. Must pass annual physical and psychological testing.

Education

No substitution of education or training may be made for the required specialized experience at the GS-6 level.

Additional information

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/ .Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Note: Please include month and year on all applicable experience, be sure to include Full time, Part time, or the total hours worked with each experience. Failure to provide this information will be deemed ineligible.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:
  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Other (1)
  • Other (2)
  • Resume
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Documents Required:
  • Resume

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application. Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position .

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

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.

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