Police Officer

Full Job Description

The following Police Officer positions are within the VISN 1 Healthcare System throughout the New England area listed within the announcement.

THIS OPEN AND CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT (OCA) ESTABLISHES A STANDING REGISTER OF ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS, WHICH CLOSES ON 7/31/2026.

The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be on or about 4/27/2025 with subsequent reviews every other week as additional vacancies occur, or on an as-needed basis, until positions are filled.

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

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience that has gives specific knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Police Officer.

Specialized experience is work 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.

At this level, police work must have included patrolling assigned area(s) to enforce laws and ordinances, regulate traffic, control crowds, prevent crimes and/or arrest violators.

Experience as a security guard or corrections officer is generally NOT qualifying. No substitution of education or training may be made for the required specialized experience at GS-6 and above.

To meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-06 position, you must 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.

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.

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. 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 in your resume and must include job title, duties, month & year start/end dates AND hours 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). 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).

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. Major Duties:

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.

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: Work schedule will be determined by the needs of each facility.

Position Description Title/PD#: Police Officer/PD478-04152-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.