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 within the Operational Services Bureau, Hazardous Incident Response Division (HIRD), Hazardous Devices Section. The Hazardous Devices Section (HDS) provides specialized response capabilities to the Department on a daily basis for events that require heightened protective security measures. In support of the USCP mission, HDS is responsible for ensuring that designated security areas are free of hazardous devices. HDS' primary goal is to provide a safe environment for Members of Congress, staff and visitors, free from explosive hazardous materials or devices. This mission requires extensive specialized training and equipment; a variety of daily sweeps and inspections throughout the Capitol complex; and the capability to respond.

As a Hazardous Devices Technician, you will:

Provide specialized response for events requiring heightened protective security measures.
Ensure designated security areas are free of hazardous devices.
Render safe suspected hazardous devices.
Participate in planning and implementing Plans of Action for events involving Congressional delegates.
Conduct security surveys.
Evaluate intelligence information on trends in improvised explosives devices (IEDs).
Trains Department personnel on emerging threats, room searches, 10-100 responses and risk analysis.

The results of this vacancy announcement selection process will be used to fill positions within the Hazardous Incident Response Division, Hazardous Devices Section. More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement. The selection list for this vacancy announcement will be active for a period of 24 months from the date of approval of the selection memorandum.

Travel Required

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

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a current USCP Officer below the rank of Sergeant.
• Must have attained the rank of Private First Class by the closing date of this announcement.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must successfully complete all in-service training.
• Must be available to work rotating shifts as required.
• Must successfully complete a one-year probationary period upon completion of the Hazardous Devices School.

Qualifications

All applicants must meet the following eligibility factors in order to be considered for the position of Hazardous Devices Technician:

1. Must be a current USCP Officer below the rank of Sergeant and have successfully attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC) by the closing date of this announcement.

2. Must not be in restricted leave status as of the selection date.

3. Must be in full and unrestricted duty status as of the selection date unless otherwise authorized by law (e.g., performance of duty injury, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), or Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)).

4. Must not have a medical shaving waiver as to not affect the proper seal of a self-contained breathing apparatus mask.

5. Must maintain physical fitness level to engage in dynamic training and operational missions consistent with an HDS/CERT Integrated Response Team (IRT); this includes wearing the appropriate level of personal protective equipment (i.e., 65-100 pound bomb suit, Kevlar helmet, tactical armor plated vests) in HDS operations.
Applicants for the Certification and Re-certification HDS course offerings are required to take a physical examination and meet specific requirements established in consultation with the FBI's Chief Medical Officer. A physician's indication of unsuitability for training based on any medical reason may be cause for rejection. All physical examinations are subject to review by the FBI, Health Care Programs Unit for determination as to the applicant's fitness for attendance at the HDS.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Applications and supporting documentation must be received by the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

This position is non-exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime provisions.

This position is not included in a collective bargaining unit.

RETENTION CRITERIA:

1. Must maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

2. Must maintain a valid driver's license and an excellent driving record.

3. Must successfully complete the FBI physical examination which includes: Vision and color blind test; height/weight and/or body fat index; hearing; EKG/stress test; chest x-ray and blood work.

4. Must successfully complete required training including, but not limited to:

• • Five week in-service field training proficiency course. (Course is designed to prepare the candidate for bomb technician certification training; ability to absorb information; problem solving; ability to function successfully in a small team environment and work with little or no supervision.)
  • Initial six week basic training curse conducted by the FBI Hazardous Devices School at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama.
  • 40-hour bomb technician refresher course every 36 months.
  • Complete Hazmat Technician training that meets requirements set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations, 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(iii). Training that meets the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 472 standards will satisfy the 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(iii) requirement.
  • Complete Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700, and IS-800. ( https://training.fema.gov/nims/ ).
  • Post Blast, USMC Range Operations and other specialty schools assigned by the Bomb Squad Commander.
  • On the job training to include the various operations of complex tools and equipment associated with the Hazardous Devices Section.

5. Must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period upon completion of the Hazardous Devices School.

6. Must be able to work various rotating shifts.

7. Must be able to travel to attend training and support congressional delegations when requested.

8. Must be able to assume on-call and re-call duties that require rapid response during off duty hours and weekends. Officer is subject to recall to duty by competent authority based on incidents that impact the mission of the USCP. Re-call may consist of up to 10 weeks a year and during this time, a "Home to Work" vehicle will be assigned and Officer must maintain an alternate form of transportation for non Departmental use during that period.

9. Must be willing to monitor and respond to USCP communications outside of normally scheduled tours of duty. Must maintain situational awareness and ensure appropriate responses are initiated and the proper internal and external notifications are accomplished.

NOTE: An applicant may request to be removed from consideration by sending a written request to the Office of Human Resources.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

The following selection process will be used to further assess candidates who have met the initial eligibility factors. Candidates must qualify under each phase to be considered in subsequent phases.

Phase I: Initial Qualification - The Office of Human Resources (OHR) will conduct an eligibility factor review as outlined in this vacancy. In consultation with OHR, a review of all candidates' unscheduled leave and resume will be conducted by an appointed assessment panel.

Phase II: KSA Assessment - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities will be evaluated by an appointed assessment panel.

• Ability to analyze a situation, obtain facts and take appropriate action in a stressful situation.
• Ability to adapt a course of action when new information is unexpectedly presented.
• Ability to work within team or group to promote a professional goal oriented team environment.

Phase III: Structured Interview - Candidates eligible for Phase III will be scheduled for an oral interview.

Phase IV: Physical Ability Test (PAT) - A complete description of the PAT is located under the "Next Steps" section of this vacancy announcement. PAT will be implemented under the oversight of a trained Bomb Technician, HDS Supervisor, and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). All external conditions and equipment will be equal for all candidates. It is anticipated that the entire test will take only 15-25 minutes. (Due to Covid-19, there will be advertised dates for the familiarization tours of HDS. HDS will not be able to offer bomb suit trials prior to the PAT practical application.)

Results of this selection process will be used to recommend candidates to the hiring manager who is the final selecting official. The OHR will conduct a disciplinary action review to determine if there are pending investigatory and/or disciplinary matters, which will be made known to the selecting official.

Prior to making his/her selection, the selecting official shall review any available Department documents, to include application documents and each candidates' complete career disciplinary record, results of selection process phases, and may, at their discretion, conduct interviews if necessary, with all recommended candidates.

The selecting official may, at his/her discretion, not select a recommended candidate for reasons such as:
1. Substandard performance;

2. Serious sustained misconduct; and/or

3. Pending investigatory and/or disciplinary matters internally or externally.

All aspects of the process are subject to the Department's legal review.

All final recommendations are subject to final approval of the Chief of Police.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

Applicants must submit a copy of the following document by uploading and attaching the document with their on-line application.

1. Resume. Ensure that your resume reflects your relevant USCP and prior work history and any training or education.
2. Valid driver's license. Applicants must possess a valid U.S. driver's license.

It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and required documentation are submitted prior to the closing date of this announcement. If you do not attach the required documentation, you will be ineligible for this announcement.