Police Officer

About the role

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be July 17, 2026 and applicants will be referred on an 'as needed' basis thereafter. Announcement will remain open through July 30, 2026, but may be extended or closed if needed prior to the initial closing date.

Note: Vacancies may not currently exist at all advertised locations, but may later occur prior to the closing date. Applicants will be notified at time of referral.

Responsibilities

• Conducts long and short term investigations to detect and apprehend individuals for violating laws;
• Analyzes facts to identify suspects and develop case information;
• Collaborates with U.S. and other prosecuting attorneys on case development to perform arrests and prosecutions;
• Performs full range of investigative work that is typical of Detectives;
• Protects the civil rights of all individuals on VA controlled property;
• Prevents, detects and investigates crimes;
• Patrols assigned areas on foot or by motor vehicle;
• Subdues persons causing disturbance or who threaten harm to themselves or others;
• Follows rules/procedures concerning search and seizure of evidence and contraband;
• Obtains search and arrest warrants;
• Arrests violators;
• Provides basic first aid and CPR prior to arrival of emergency medical personnel;
• Prepares report of activities and events that occurred during shift;
• Performs traffic control;
• Assists citizens in emergency situations;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in 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 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.
• Experience as a security guard or corrections officer is generally not qualifying.

Qualifications

• To meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-6 position, you must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in 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 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.
• At this level, police work must have included investigative work, patrolling assigned area(s) to enforce laws and ordinances, regulating traffic, controlling crowds, preventing crimes and/or arresting violators.
• There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level.

Additional Police Officer Conditions of Employment

• New VA Police Officers are required to attend an 8-week course at the VA Law Enforcement Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Satisfactory completion of this course is a condition of continued employment.
• Designated Drug-Testing Position: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to an appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
• A medical examination is required. The duties of these positions require moderate to arduous physical exertion and/or duties of a hazardous nature. The following medical requirements apply to all applicants: good near and distant vision, ability to distinguish basic colors, and ability to hear the conversational voice.
• 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. In most instances, a specific medical condition or impairment will not automatically disqualify an applicant or employee. A medical condition or impairment is disqualifying only if the condition, for good medical reason, precludes assignment to or warrants restriction from the duties of the specific position. For some positions, the loss or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid. Reasonable accommodation shall also be considered in determining an applicant's ability to perform the duties of a position.
• 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.
• As a condition of employment, must qualify to be issued a firearm and semi-annually with assigned firearm, annually with an expandable Straight Baton (MEB), maintain a valid State or Commonwealth Driver's License and pass annual physical and psychosocial assessments. Applicants must be able to possess firearms under the terms of the Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended (18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9)).