Senior Police Officer

Full Job Description

This is an open continuous announcement. Applicants will be accepted on a ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered. The close date for this announcement is Monday, May 04, 2026.

You will serve as a Senior Police Officer with the Police Service of the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center located in Walla Walla, WA.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. This is an open continuous announcement.

Applicants will be accepted on a ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered. The close date for this announcement is Monday, May 04, 2026.

GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 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 which 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; conducting routine foot and/or vehicle patrols; responding to routine and emergency calls for police assistance; issuing traffic citations; questioning individuals at the scene of a crime; informing individuals about their rights as suspects; subduing unruly individuals; and preparing written reports involving criminal and/or civil offenses.

You must possess knowledge of applicable laws of the Federal, State, county, or municipal government, possess arrest authority and the ability to use a firearm.

In addition, you must have sufficient knowledge to prevent and/or resolve criminal offenses at the scene; conduct preliminary investigations at a crime scene; pursuing and apprehending persons fleeing from a crime scene or resisting arrest; providing testimony in court; taking charge of a crime or accident scene; and interviewing witnesses of a crime or accident.

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. DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENT: This position requires a current, valid, state-issued driver's license.

For the following question, indicate either Yes or No. Please select only one letter.

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 QUALIFICATION 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).

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:

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.

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.

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 hours Compressed tour, rotating days may be day or night Position Description Title/PD#: Senior Police Officer/PD80705A Physical Requirements: The work requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion on a regular and recurring basis, 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.