Summary This position will serve as a Police Officer at the Greater Los Angeles VA Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Police Officer will perform a full range of police duties by following and executing rules, regulations, or procedures covering law and rules enforcement, physical and personal security operations, patrol duties, control desk duty, coordination with local courts, and/or crime prevention activities for the local jurisdiction. Responsibilities Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: May be authorized for 15% up front lump sum (sign on bonus)! 90 days after appointment, may be eligible for a 15% retention incentive increased to annual salary paid out bi-weekly basis! This hiring event is in support of Executive Order Keeping Promises to Veterans and Establishing a National Center for Warrior Independence Duties include but are not limited to: Patrolling and Prevention: Patrol neighborhoods and VA Healthcare center to deter and detect criminal activity, maintaining a visible police presence. Emergency Response: Respond to various calls, including Mental Health emergencies and crimes in progress, accidents, assaults, domestic disputes, and medical emergencies, providing first-responder assistance. Legally empowered to carry firearms and enforce laws within the jurisdiction of the Department of Veteran Affairs. Law Enforcement: Community Police officers enforce laws and regulations by issuing citations or making arrests. Investigations: Investigate incidents, gather evidence, interview witnesses and suspects, and prepare detailed reports for potential prosecution. Community Engagement: Participate in community policing strategies, meet with citizens, and engage in outreach programs to build trust and cooperation. Observation: Monitoring people and activities to identify suspicious behaviors or law violations. Arrest and Search: Making arrests and executing searches and seizures as authorized by law. Report Writing: Documenting incidents, evidence, and investigative findings in written reports. Traffic Control: Directing traffic, investigating accidents, and enforcing traffic laws. Public Assistance: Providing information to the public and assisting people in distress. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. 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. A current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. A Firearm Qualification is a requirement for this position: 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. This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 1996) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. Work Schedule: 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. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Police Officer/PD14744LS and PD14733LS Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required In order to attend the VA Police Academy (Law Enforcement Training Center LETC), you must be able to pass a physical fitness test of a 1.5 mile run, pushups, and sit-ups based off VA physical standards. Failure to complete the Police Academy as scheduled by the agency may result in a removal as a VA Police Officer. 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 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Applicants must be at least 21 years of age as of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Applicants must have the capacity to perform the essential functions of the position without risk to themselves or others. Applicants must possess and maintain 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. LAUTENBERG AMENDMENT. Applicants who have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence are ineligible for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Police Officer positions. Cases pending adjudication may not be eligible for selection. 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications This is an open continuous announcement. The announcement will remain open for the time period advertised. All applicants are highly encouraged to apply to both GS-05 & GS-06 grade level positions to increase the likelihood of appearing on a certificate. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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-05 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-04 and for the GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. 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. For the Police Officer, GS-5 position: Applicants must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 level in the federal service that has given me the particular 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. Note: 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; ~OR~ Please see requirements for substitution of education below. For the Police Officer, GS-6 position: Applicants must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 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 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 on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Arrest Criminal Investigation First Response Interpersonal Skills Public Safety and Security Security 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. 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/. Physical Requirements: To do this job safely and effectively, police officers must meet certain physical standards. These include: Strength and Endurance: You must be able to run moderate distances for various distances, climb, lift, and carry heavy objects or people in emergency situations. Must be able to use and manipulate all police gear. Mobility: You need to move quickly and easily, including walking, running, bending, kneeling, and standing for long periods. Vision and Hearing: Good eyesight (with or without glasses or contacts) and hearing are important for safety and communication. Hand-Eye Coordination: You must be able to use your hands and eyes together to handle equipment and respond appropriately. Balance and Agility: You should be able to maintain balance and move smoothly in different environments, including during foot pursuits or while navigating obstacles. Stamina: You may work long shifts, sometimes in stressful or physically demanding situations, including extreme weather and environments Education Transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for the GS-5 grade 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. (This education must have been obtained at an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts {unofficial or official} must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation). ~OR~ Have successfully completed a Federal, State, county, or municipal police 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, to substitute a maximum of 3 months of specialized experience AND possess at least 9 months of specialized experience as identified above. (NOTE: Appropriate documentation of completion must be submitted with your application materials.) 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. No substitution of education or training may be made for the required specialized experience at the GS-06 grade level. Investigation of Fitness A character investigation may 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. Such investigations will be conducted under the security requirements of the hiring agency. 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. 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. 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. Reasonable accommodation may include, but is not limited to the use of assistive devices, job modification or restructuring, provision of readers and interpreters, or adjusted work schedules. All positions involving Federal motor vehicle operation carry the additional medical requirements specified in 5 CFR 930 and the "General Policies and Instructions" section of this Manual. Additional Information 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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.
