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Posted: February 4, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Police Officer

Veterans Health Administration

Department of Veterans Affairs

Fresh

Salary

$67,516 - $87,770

per year

Closes

February 17, 2026

GS-6 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $37,764 - $49,094

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-5. Bachelor's degree + some experience.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job is for a police officer at a VA medical center in Portland, Oregon, where you'll handle everyday law enforcement tasks like patrolling the grounds, responding to emergencies, investigating incidents, and keeping the facility safe for veterans and staff.

It's a good fit for someone with prior experience in policing or security who is physically fit, has a clean driving record, and is ready for training and carrying a firearm.

The role involves shift work and requires passing medical checks to ensure you can handle the demands without risks.

Key Requirements

  • At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05 level in law enforcement, such as maintaining order, protecting property, interviewing witnesses, securing crime scenes, responding to emergencies, and preparing reports
  • Valid, unrestricted state driver's license with a safe driving record and ability to pass a government vehicle drivers' physical examination
  • Ability to possess and qualify with agency-approved firearms under the Gun Control Act of 1968
  • Satisfactory completion of an 8-10 week VA Law Enforcement Training Center course in Little Rock, Arkansas, as a condition of employment
  • Medical qualification including good vision (near and distant), ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing conversational voice, and capacity for moderate to arduous physical exertion without risk to self or others
  • U.S. citizenship and ability to meet all police officer conditions of employment, including emotional and mental stability

Full Job Description

This position will serve as a Police Officer in the Police Service at the Portland VA Medical Center in Portland, Oregon.

The Police Officer will perform a full range of police duties by following and executing rules, regulations, or procedures covering law and rules of enforcement, physical and personal security operations, patrol duties, control desk duty, coordination with local courts, and/or crime prevention activities for the local jurisdiction.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/17/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience GS-06: Have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 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 but not limited to: 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.

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. Note: You must provide detailed information of your experience performed.

Information such as "I was a Patrolman", "I was a Police Officer for a number of years," or "I enforced Federal, State, county, and laws" is insufficient to determine your qualifications.

Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week.

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). POLICE OFFICER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT 1.

New VA Police Officers are required to attend an 8-10 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. 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. 3.

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. 4.

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. 5.

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).

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 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 result is received.

Medical Requirements: 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.

Agencies may establish additional, job-related physical or medical requirements provided that the specific position(s) involves the arduous or hazardous duties to which the physical requirements relate.

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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.

Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Major Duties:

Major duties include, but are not limited to: · Protects the civil rights of all individuals on VA controlled property. · Prevents, detect and investigate crimes.

· Patrols assigned areas on foot or by motor vehicle. · Subdues people causing disturbance or who threaten harm to themselves or others.

· Follows rules/procedures concerning search and seizure of evidence and contraband. · Takes charge of significant and catastrophic events. · Conducts investigations, apprehensions, and detention.

· Obtains search and arrest warrants. · Arrests violators. · Uses independent judgment in cases where policy is not clear.

· 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; and · Assists citizens in emergency situations. · Performs other related duties as assigned.

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 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 result is received.

Work Schedule: Sunday - Saturday 7:00am-7:00pm or 7:00pm to 7:00am (PST); Tours may vary (To be discussed with hiring manager); Candidates must be willing to work weekends, holidays, irregular work hours and extended hours if determined by the needs of the service.

Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Candidates must be willing to work weekends, irregular work hours and extended hours if determined by the needs of the service.

Furthermore, candidates must be willing to be placed, detailed, or temporarily assigned to other related services and/or locations, if necessary.

Position Description Title/PD#: Police Officer/PD21780A 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 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.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/4/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/5/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: CBSV-12878487-26-WSN