Summary This Police Officer position is located in Police Service at the Manchester VA Medical Center. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week. Responsibilities The incumbent serves as a Police Officer carrying out responsibilities where most work is performed on Veterans Affairs Departmental properties. Protects individuals during any given situation against threats to personal safety when enforcing laws and regulations. Responds immediately to and engages potentially armed individuals during active threat response situations. Responds to highly dangerous and active crimes in progress, making independent decisions and taking immediate steps to preserve life and property. Mitigates opportunities for assault, illegal entry, and theft involving highly protected information, property and/or processes at facilities containing special protective methods. Provides patrol in vehicles, by foot and/or on a bicycle. Responds to calls for police assistance, irregularities, and unusual or suspicious circumstances. Conducts asset protection during transport. Writes comprehensive incident reports. Provides policing services in various environments where each type of jurisdiction (Exclusive, Concurrent and Proprietorial) has different enforcement rules. Seeks, detects, seizes, and protects evidence and witnesses at the scene of an incident. Detects and intervenes in criminal activity. Enforces traffic rules and regulations, including those related to speeding and reckless operation of vehicles while impaired or intoxicated. Conducts investigative contacts/stops, exercising search and arrest authority, detaining witnesses, and apprehending suspects. Advises individuals of their rights (such as Miranda, Weingarten, Garrity, etc.), and protecting the constitutional and civil rights of persons. Intervenes, when necessary, to deescalate situations and determine when and how much force must be applied. Conducts prisoner transports to holding facilities and courts as required. Conducts disaster response and recovery. Provides Basic Life Support (BLS) to injured personnel and coordinates additional emergency response when needed. Coordinates and directs search, rescue, and recovery for persons at high risk (e.g., missing or wandering patients, minors, etc.), including coordinating with local surrounding police departments to expand the search parameters. Investigates incidents and takes steps to mitigate further risk and resolve situations. Performs and provides training on drug and contraband intervention where contraband identification and knowledge is imperative. Intervenes, when needed, to deescalate active suicidal behavior and/or prevents suicides. Prepares case files and testifying in court as it pertains to enforcing laws and regulations. Work Schedule: 12 Hour Tours Position Description Title/PD#: Police Officer/PD#608-99925-A Physical Requirements: The work requires, on a regular and recurring basis, considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as running, frequent climbing of multiple flights of stairs, and carrying items weighing over 50 pounds. It requires stamina, physical agility, dexterity, and the strength to pursue, apprehend or detain persons who are often uncooperative, assaultive, and/or armed. Work Environment: The work involves both moderate and high risks and possible endangerment of life or serious injury that requires the exercise of safety precautions and use of personal protective equipment The work is performed in settings in which there is regular and recurring exposure to moderate to severe discomforts and unpleasantness, such as high temperatures in confined spaces, high temperatures due to mandatory protective personal equipment, or adverse weather conditions during extended periods of traffic and patrol duties. The work involves moderate risk requiring exercise of safety precautions when working around hazardous materials such as toxic gases, explosives, infectious biological materials, and others that pose a moderate risk of exposure. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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 Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Required Documents" below for details. Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/01/2024. Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): Experience that 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. 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. Carries firearms and other weapons, intervenes when necessary to de-escalate situations and determines when and how much force must be applied. Advises individuals of their (Miranda, Weingarten, Garrity, etc.) rights, and protects the constitutional and civil rights of persons. GS-06 Grade Level Requirement (Full Performance Level): One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. The incumbent serves as a Police Officer carrying out responsibilities where most work is performed on Veterans Affairs Departmental properties, which includes any properties owned, leased, or licensed to VA. Provides policing services in a variety of jurisdictional environments where each type of jurisdiction (Exclusive, Concurrent and Proprietorial) has different enforcement rules and requires Police Officers to understand the complexities and legally apply the correct set of laws, regulations, and processes. Duties include, but are not limited to: Protects individuals during any given situation against threats to personal safety when enforcing laws and regulations. Responds immediately to and engages potentially armed individuals during active threat response situations. Responds to highly dangerous and active crimes in progress, making independent decisions and taking immediate steps to preserve life and property. Mitigates opportunities for assault, illegal entry, and theft involving highly protected information, property and/or processes at facilities containing special protective methods. Writes comprehensive incident reports. Detects and intervenes in criminal activity. Seeks, detects, seizes, and protects evidence and witnesses at the scene of an incident. Conducts investigative contacts/stops, exercising search and arrest authority, detaining witnesses, and apprehending suspects. Advises individuals of their rights (such as Miranda, Weingarten, Garrity, etc.), and protecting the constitutional and civil rights of persons. Conducts prisoner transports to holding facilities and courts as required. Conducts disaster response and recovery. Provides Basic Life Support (BLS) to injured personnel and coordinates additional emergency response when needed. Performs and provides training on drug and contraband intervention where contraband identification and knowledge is imperative. There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Special Requirements: The selected police officer incumbent must: Be eligible for Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential and must maintain PIV credential eligibility during their services with the agency. Have a successfully required adjudicated background investigation and obtain and maintain a required security clearance. Carry firearms for safety and security as required by the VHA Police Service (PS). Be proficient in the English language. Pass an initial pre-employment medical examination and an annual medical examination to include psychological assessment. Must immediately report to the supervisor any significant medical threshold shifts in health status and/or medication requirements. Possess a valid driver's license as a condition of continued employment as a VA Police Officer. Successfully pass Police Officer Standardized Training (POST) at the Law Enforcement Training Center (LETC). Successfully pass the POST/R (refresher) training course on a recurring basis as defined by VA. Complete other mandatory training to remain knowledgeable and skilled in specialized tactics, techniques, and procedures necessary to prepare and respond to catastrophic events, terror attacks and related threats to the facility. Work uncommon tours of duty as needed, to include nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, rotating shifts, and emergency call-backs. Achieve and maintain qualification in the use of agency approved firearms as a condition of continued employment as a VA Police Officer. This includes meeting the provisions of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968, as amended by Public Law 104-108 and found at 18 USC, Section 992. Knowledge Required by the Position Knowledge of the full range of police and law enforcement services including state, county and federal laws, regulations, methods and procedures that apply to the facilities depending upon their geographical location and type of jurisdiction to ensure policing compliance and to prevent and resolve offenses. Knowledge and skills of policing procedures to properly conduct search and seizure of evidence/contraband, pursue and apprehend persons fleeing a crime scene or attempting to resist arrest; to identify and arrest violators based on eyewitness accounts; to serve warrants and subpoenas to individuals on the property and to support dignitaries and activities specifically designated by the facility Director. Knowledge of firearms and tactics for deployment in emergencies to carry out policing emergency services and procedures, such as weapons and chemical agents, negotiations, building layouts, terrorist threats and counterterrorism methods, search and rescue techniques, and crowd and demonstration control. Knowledge of Police Service security protection operations necessary to evaluate existing crime prevention methods and recommend to supervisor changes to existing programs; and to prepare and finalize accurate law enforcement reports using the correct report formats, procedures, and terminology. Skills to effectively communicate the current socio-political climate and keep abreast of how it contributes to people and suspects potentially reacting antagonistically or aggressively to law enforcement personnel or activity. Knowledge of proactive patrolling activities to maintain law, order and a safe and secure environment based on criminal or terror trends and knowledge to deter and detect such activity, including recognizing potential gang affiliations and the risks/difficulties associated with them when interacting with witnesses, suspects and the general public. Skills using various automated systems and equipment located in a dispatch center, including the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) terminal, internal Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system, National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) to guide operations to dispatch personnel and to properly enter and retrieve information on individuals and vehicles. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information "Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act." Receiving Service Credit or 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 or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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 qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.