Police Officer

About the role

This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Operations, Security and Preparedness (OSP), Police Service and is responsible for VAs nationwide security, preparedness, and law enforcement operations with primary focus on protective and investigative services at VA Healthcare System.

Responsibilities

• Performs a wide variety of duties encompassing investigations and enforcing federal, state, and local laws pertaining to violations on government property and federally controlled assets.
• Investigates suspicious packages and people which may involve searches and seizures. Captures audio and visual evidence.
• Prepare final reports of the investigation, including the application of rules of evidence to substantiate conclusions and make recommendations to various parties on administrative actions to be taken.
• Investigates suspected instances of noncompliance with laws, rules, policy, regulations, executive orders, or other mandatory regulatory requirements by individuals or organizations.
• Makes determinations of facts, researches investigative reports and documentation, obtains evidence, assessments, and evaluations, and performs other investigative tasks.
• Conducts long- and short-term investigations when solutions cannot be achieved during a normal patrol shift.
• Evaluates crime prevention programs and recommends changes to reduce opportunities for theft, assault, illegal entry, or other kinds of violations.
• Follows leads, takes statements, and gathers information and facts to develop case information for use in pressing charges and bringing suspects to trial.
• Collaborates with U.S. and other prosecuting attorneys on case development and plans to perform arrests and prosecutions.
• Coordinates with other law enforcement agencies to gather facts or evidence for use in assigned cases.
• Conducts investigations and resolves crimes such as theft, burglary, robbery, and possession of illegal substances.
• Uses a variety of investigative procedures and techniques to develop and follow leads, interview witnesses and suspects, take statements, obtain search warrants, gather information and facts, plan and conduct stakeouts, analyze facts to identify suspects.
• Develops case information, coordinates investigations with other law enforcement agencies.
• Assignments may require the employee to perform investigations extending for periods of time beyond a single shift and to ascertain interrelationships with other cases and/or law enforcement agencies that may affect the methods and procedures used.
• Decides according to the nature of a perceived threat from demonstrators or anticipated terrorist actions, by the nature of hazards imposed by local terrain and/or weather or other conditions that affect lighting and communications, and the ability to observe or pursue violators.
• Conducts 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.
• Conducts 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.
• Identifies and preserves evidence, writes comprehensive incident reports, prepares case files, and testifies in court as it pertains to enforcing laws and regulations.
• Provides 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.
• Performs certain elements of the work away from Departmental properties when consistent with Federal law, regulation, VA policy, and operational guidance.

Requirements

• Must have one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least 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.
• 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.
• Must have Law Enforcement experience with arrest authority.

Qualifications

• Additional Conditions of Employment:
• Drug Test Requirement: Applicant selected for movement into positions covered by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control and must pass urinalysis testing as required before the appointment and periodically after that. The position is subject to random drug testing.
• Travel: The position may require 10% or more travel away from the office.
• Training: Incumbent must meet the established experience, basic training, and in-service training requirements established for the enforcement of police powers. Incumbent must successfully complete the designated, required training, which includes the basic VA Police Officer Standardized Training (POST). Additionally, the selectee must successfully complete the Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) conducted at the selectee's assigned duty location or a different geographic area, and other in-service requirements and weapons qualifications for the enforcement of arrest authority as conferred under 902 authority.
• Essential Personnel: This position may be designated as essential personnel. Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, acts of terrorism, or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations (5 U.S.C. § 7501-7533 and 5 CFR Part 752, as applicable).
• Lautenberg Amendment: This position is covered by the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the Fun Control Act of 1968. Persons convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence are not eligible for this position.
• Firearms Requirement: The incumbent will be required to carry a firearm while performing the duties of this position. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory.
• Motor Vehicle Operation: The incumbent must possess a valid automobile driver's license at the time of appointment and be available for frequent travel.