Police Officer

Full Job Description

This position is located at the Tomah VA Medical Center, Tomah, WI. - a Level 3 Complexity VHA Facility and is organizationally aligned under the Police & Security Service Line.

The incumbent serves as a uniformed Police Officer, appointed as law enforcement official under Title 38 of the United States Code, Section 1.218, authorized to carry firearms and make arrests.

Officers are assigned to the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Specialized experience includes: 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.

Experience as a security guard or corrections officer is generally NOT qualifying. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05 level.

You must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in Police Science or a comparable degree program related to the work of the position.

OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level.

Successful completion of a Federal, State, county, or municipal policy academy or comparable training course that included at least 40 classroom hours of instruction in police department procedures and methods, and local law and regulations, may be substituted for a maximum of 3 months of specialized experience of 6 months of general experience.

To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned).

Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-05.

For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e.

50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Driver's License Requirement: Applicants must possess a valid, unrestricted State driver's license, have a safe driving record, and demonstrate that he or she is medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely.

Applicants are required to pass agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination.

NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package.

If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your valid state-issued driver's license.

Firearm Requirement: VA Police Officers are required to carry agency-approved firearms while on duty on VA property.

Officers must achieve and maintain qualification/certification with the agency-approved firearms as condition of gaining and continuing employment as a Police Officer.

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). ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: 1.

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. 2.

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. 3.

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. 4.

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. 5.

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. 6.

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). Major Duties:

Duties include but not limited to: Protect the civil rights of all individuals on VA controlled property; Prevent, detect and investigate crimes; Patrol assigned areas on foot or by motor vehicle; Subdue persons causing disturbance or who threaten harm to themselves or others; Follow rules/procedures concerning search and seizure of evidence and contraband; Obtain search and arrest warrants; Arrest violators; Provide basic first aid and CPR prior to arrival of emergency medical personnel; Prepare report of activities and events that occurred during shift; Perform traffic control; and Assist citizens in emergency situations.

Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 6:00am to 6:00pm or 6:00pm to 6:00am Position Description Title/PD#: Police Officer/PD99926S Physical Requirements: The work requires, on a regular and recurring basis, considerable and strenuous physical exertion, such as frequent climbing of multiple flights of stairs, walking while on patrol, running while pursuing observed violators or suspects and eloping committed patients, crouching or crawling in restrictive areas during search, standing for prolonged periods of time, and frequent exposure to inclement weather conditions, such as rain and extreme cold in winter and extreme heat in the summer while on outside patrol.

Extreme physical exertion to restrain felons or psychotic patients in a safe manner; and lifting heavy objects over 50 pounds.

Work Conditions: 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.