Duties

Summary

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) is a CALEA nationally-accredited, federal law enforcement agency. The USCP safeguards the Congress, Members of Congress, employees, visitors, and Congressional buildings and grounds from crime, disruption, and terrorism. We protect and secure Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, secure and open environment.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

This position is located in the Communications Section, Command Division, Command and Coordination Bureau (CCB), Office of the Assistant Chief of Police for Uniformed Operations, United States Capitol Police (USCP). The Communications Section is responsible for facilitating service calls and information using telecommunications equipment and automated systems to resolve a variety of issues and to ensure a response from the appropriate emergency service.

Make a difference one call at a time: Join the United States Capitol Police Communications Operator Dispatch Team!

In this exciting role, you will:

• Answer, evaluate and prioritize incoming telephone calls to determine urgency and the need for dispatching police, fire, medical and other emergency services.
• Disseminate emergency information to the USCP and the Congressional community by using a Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, telephones, multi-channel radios, TDD (telecommunication device for the deaf), numerous law enforcement and agency databases and automated map systems.
• Monitor alarms, access control and video security systems.
• Operate and monitor intrusion detection, access control, Member duress calls, digital video, Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) and related security equipment to provide area and visitor surveillance assessments.
• Access databases for information, warrant checks, intelligence and driver's license and vehicle registration checks.
• Extract data from a variety of computer systems including NCIC (National Crime Information Center) and WALES (Washington Area Law Enforcement System).

You'll be trained for success! You will receive developmental assignments and on-the-job training and experience designed to ensure that you have the necessary skills and reactions to initiate dispatch assistance commensurate with the scope and magnitude of events.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
5

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Successful completion of a Background Investigation is required.
• Must complete all required training.
• Must work rotating shifts during training and be available for any shift.
• Must complete a one year probationary period.
• Shift work is required.
• Must have Direct Deposit.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the experience requirements as described below:

Qualifying experience at the CP-04 (GS-06 equivalent) grade level includes one (1) year of specialized experience that is comparable to the CP-03 (GS-05 equivalent) grade level which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Specialized experience is defined as multi-tasking with database systems, multi-channel radios and/or multi-line telephones while communicating emergency and non-emergency incidents.

Highly Desirable is current certification(s) in the following areas -- emergency police, fire and/or medical dispatching; public safety; emergency telecommunication; other directly-related fields.

Additionally, experience utilizing a Computer-Aided Dispatching (CAD) System and skill in the use of a typing keyboard with speed and accuracy are also desirable.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

(Information on Qualification & Education are located at the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications )

Education

There is no education substitution for experience.

Additional information

This position is included in a collective bargaining unit.

Shift Work -- The USCP operates 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. Communications Operators will be required to work any assigned shift. Duty hours are subject to change to accommodate the needs of the Department; additional duty hours may be required. Applicants must be willing and able to work nights, weekends and holidays.

Shift hours are as follows; however, they are subject to change. A 30-minute non-compensable meal period is included in every shift.
1st Shift: 10:00 pm - 6:30 am
2nd Shift: 6:00 am - 2:30 pm
3rd Shift: 2:00 pm - 10:30 pm

Work locations are flexible and may require extended work hours. Some locations may be in remote areas; however, still within the District of Columbia commuting area.

Student Loan Repayment Program - USCP offers the Student Loan Repayment Program incentive up to $10,000 and is subject to budget availability.

Criminal History Check - A criminal history check will be performed on all selected applicants.
Selected applicants must successfully pass a comprehensive criminal history check of the past 10 years.

Fingerprint Check -- Applicant fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to check for a criminal history record.

Background Investigation - Selected applicantsmust successfully complete all components of the USCP full-field background investigation.

There are few automatic grounds for rejection in the USCP background investigation process. Issues of misconduct such as illegal drug use, arrests or convictions may not be automatically disqualifying. However, deliberate misstatements, omissions or intentionally withholding required information at any phase of the hiring process will result in a candidate's disqualification regardless of the nature or reason for the misstatement or omission. The primary reason candidates fail a background investigation is due to deliberately withholding or omitting material facts. Providing false and/or misleading information may be grounds for removal from the application and selection process.

Credit Check - Selected applicants must successfully pass a credit check. Applicants must not be in default or delinquent on any Federal guaranteed student loans.
Applicants must demonstrate a competent financial history. Financial delinquency including collection accounts, liens, repossessions or garnishments may be a basis for disqualification.

Selective Service Registration -- Male applicants must provide verification of registration with the Selective Service System or must verify exemption from the Selective Service System registration because of age or military status. Female applicants are exempt from Selective Service System registration. https://www.sss.gov/Registration-Info

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

We will review your resume, assessment questionnaire and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum requirements for this job. If you meet the minimum requirements for this job, we will evaluate your application materials to assess the quality, depth and complexity of your qualifications, accomplishments, experience and education as they relate to the requirements listed in this vacancy announcement.

Failure to successfully pass a full-field background investigation and all segments of the pre-employment evaluation process will result in disqualification from further consideration under this vacancy announcement.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be received by the closing date of this announcement:

1. Your Resume: Resumes should include full description of job duties as well as dates (mm/yr) of employment
2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire: Failure to provide a narrative response when required will result in an "Incomplete Application and/or Assessment Questionnaire" rating.
3. Other supporting documents:
- Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable
- Training Certificates related to this position, e.g. CAD, dispatcher or other relevant training.

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