Summary Security Specialist - Uniform Compliance Officer ensures a safe and secure environment across VHA within various settings, including a variety of jurisdictional environments, such as VHA VISNs, Medical Centers and facilities, Inpatient Clinics, Outpatient Clinics, and domiciliaries throughout the United States. This position serves as a vital part of the VA Police Services often serving as the face of the VA and as the first person a Veteran or visitor encounters when entering a VA facility. Responsibilities Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Providing recommendations in the development, and periodic updating of local VA law enforcement and security policy for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Assists in ensuring compliance with law enforcement policies designed to ensure the preservation of the public peace, the protection of life and property, the prevention of crime, the arrest and prosecution of violators of law, and the proper enforcement of all laws, regulations, directives, and administrative issuances related to the VHA and its associated facilities. Auditing, analyzing, and developing reports and action plans related to key program indicators published by the, Office of Security & Law Enforcement, Office of Inspector General, Government Accountability Office, and any other agencies conducting audits of the VHA's law enforcement and security programs. Serving as the local facility lead for the development of law enforcement and security policy. Assisting the Security Officer with developing action plans related to the findings, and monitors time sensitive progress to mitigating vulnerabilities assessed during program reviews. Participating in short- and long-range strategic planning designed to incorporate improvements and lessons learned into program operations. Is a key participant in the Office of Emergency Management's Emergency Management Capabilities Assessment Program (EMCAP). Serving as the local liaison with the Office of Inspector General, Government Accountability Office, Police Program Inspections and any other agencies conducting audits of the VHA's law enforcement and security programs. Participating in work groups, committees and task forces in the research, collection and reporting of compliance data. Developing, writing, revising, and managing the Police Service catalog of policies and forms to meet accreditation standards; and maintains accreditation files. Auditing work practices, providing guidance and recommendations, and presents findings and corrective actions. Planning, designing, and implementing an overall risk management process for the VA Police organization, including analysis of the financial impact when risks occur. Employing advanced qualitative and quantitative techniques to improve the efficiency of internal administrative operations, organizations, or management. Coordinating quality assurance program across the VISN by coordinating efforts or functions that impact multiple Medical Centers and sites of care. Participating and leading in community of practice (COP) across Medical Centers and VISNs with VHA Police Services. Developing and leading implementation of VISN-wide initiatives on behalf of VHA Police Services and VISN Leadership. Directs a variety of policing and law enforcement assignment and projects that are performed on VA Departmental property: including any properties owned, leased, or licensed when consistent with Federal laws, regulation, VA policy and operational guidance. Responds to highly dangerous and active crimes in progress and makes independent decisions to take/direct/coordinate immediate steps to preserve life and property. Carries firearms and other VA approved weapons, intervenes when necessary to deescalate 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 person. Performs other duties as assigned. You will be expected to travel to Community based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), for Training and to different facilities within the VISN to assist with inspections. Work Schedule: 7:30am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Security Specialist- Uniformed Compliance Officer/PD99729-S Functional Statement #: PD99729-S 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 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 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) 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). DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENT: This position requires a current, valid, state-issued driver's license. DO NOT SUBMIT A DRIVERS LICENSE IN YOUR APPLICATION- YOU WILL PROVIDE THIS IF SELECTED IN ONBOARDING. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/02/2025 Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your most recent personnel action/SF50. Additionally, An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. NOTE: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Interchange Agreement: Applicants must be eligible under the VA Interchange Agreement, having served continuously for at least one year in the other merit system under this interchange agreement. For more information regarding the VA Interchange Agreement please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/competitive-hiring/. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Experience in ensuring compliance with law enforcement policies designed to ensure the preservation of the public peace, the protection of life and property, and the prevention of crime; Expert in law enforcement rules, regulations, and guidelines applicable to the medical center security programs and operations; Employs advanced qualitative and quantitative techniques to improve the efficiency of internal administrative and organizational operations; Skilled in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques in implementing policy and program requirements; and Experience developing processes to evaluate program benchmarks and apply strategies to improve program outcomes based on audits and program review findings. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must successfully completed three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, LL.M., or equivalent doctoral degree in the related field of the position to be filled. The education portion must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college, or university. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess a combination of Graduate Education beyond a Master's Degree (leading to a PhD) and Specialized Experience. Such experience and education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Experience must be clearly indicated in your resume. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position Administration and Management Analytical Reasoning Arrest Auditing Compliance Strategic Thinking 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. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. 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/. Education 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 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. 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.
