Supervisory Police Officer (Lieutenant)
What you'd do
The position is located at the VA Northwest Health Network (VISN 20). The VA Northwest Network provides healthcare coverage for over 320,000 unique Veterans. The position is responsible for the operation, direction, and control of the law enforcement and physical security activities of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Health Care System (HCS), or Police Service (PS).
Major duties
Major duties include, but are not limited to: Directs, coordinates and/or performs a variety of supervisory and non-supervisory policing law enforcement assignments and projects that are performed on Departmental property; including any properties owned, leased, or licensed when consistent with Federal laws, regulations, VA policy and operational guidance. Coordinates or oversees off-station VA law enforcement activities, investigations or protection support in accordance with applicable laws and VA policy. Provides Lieutenant policing services routinely at all segments of VA facilities located over large geographical areas, some of which may be in different states, counties, municipalities, or townships. Provides leadership in protecting Veterans, volunteers, and others on Departmental property, U.S. officials, other individuals, and him or herself during any given situation against threats to personal safety when force becomes necessary to enforce laws and regulations. Serves as Lieutenant and Officer-in-Charge performing various law enforcement and administrative functions throughout VHA. Manages, supervises a team of police sergeants, police officers, detectives and other law enforcement staff, who carry out day-to-day, routine crime suppression and investigative functions. Oversees human resources activities; and leads, prioritizes, assigns, reviews, approves, and disapproves employees' assignments and related assignments. Prepares, conducts, and reviews performance evaluations; takes disciplinary actions; and identifies and conducts specific designated training. Serves as a lead on and personally conducts investigations, apprehensions, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the US. Conducts investigations with a nexus to VA, prisoner transport, patient search and recovery, life-saving efforts, disaster response and recovery, asset protection during transit, training, and other matters. Patrols and responds to a variety of criminal activities requiring law enforcement, intervention such as homicides, sexual assaults, robberies, property crimes, domestic violence, vice and narcotics-related activities, crimes by and against juveniles, and other crimes. Responds to highly dangerous and active crimes in progress and makes independent decisions to take/direct/coordinate immediate steps to preserve life and property. Evaluates situations and determines the most appropriate course of action. Pursues or apprehends suspects and criminals; makes arrests which may involve physically restraining or subduing individual(s) and possible use of deadly force; interviews and interrogates victims, witnesses, suspects, and other contact persons; and protects the crime scene for processing; and processes suspects. Performs law enforcement administrative duties, including preparing and monitoring the designated PS budget. Makes sound judgment and decisions and evaluates the best method to establish priorities and resolve complex matters. Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships with VA's employees, managers, and representatives from other VA entities and organizations. Works closely with other police lieutenants and other law enforcement agencies regarding crime and crime prevention. Works closely with the Captain as Lieutenant and serves as a Commanding Officer in the Captain's absence. Collaborates with the Captain regarding strategic decisions that affect the designated area of responsibility within PS. Conducts classes; coordinates specialized training in a variety of forums and ensures appropriate and timely training of staff. Serves as a Federal Police Officer (Lieutenant) with full law enforcement and investigative authority as defined within 38 USC 902, VA Directives, Handbooks, and other operational guidance. Carries firearms and other weapons, intervenes when necessary to de-escalate 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 persons. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Rotating 12 hour shifts (0700-1900 or 1900-0700) MST, working Weekends, Nights and/or Holidays. Position Description Title/PD#: Supervisory Police Officer (Lieutenant)/PD99828-S Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, driving, bending, stooping, reaching, crawling, and similar activities. The work may also involve occasional lifting and carrying of heavy objects of 23 kilograms (50 pounds) or less. It requires common physical characteristics and abilities in agility and dexterity and the strength to pursue, apprehend, and detain uncooperative suspects. It may also require considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as running, and frequent climbing of multiple flights of stairs.
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience GS-09 grade level: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience performing Supervisory Police Officer work at the GS-08 level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service that experience 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. Specialized experience also includes: supervising and leading and providing guidance and direction to law enforcement personnel at various levels on duties in response to potential threats of violence, detecting criminal activity, fire and other emergencies; enforcing federal, state, and local laws; experience with investigations and investigation reports; coordinating and working with local law enforcement; performs various administrative functions to include review and prepare police activity reports and correspondence, prioritizing, approving/disapproving work assignments, monitoring budget and budget requests, managing/overseeing personnel activity, preparing and reviewing performance evaluations, interviewing and selecting Police Officer candidates, etc.; may have served as an assistant to a Police Captain within a police force. 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: 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.
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