Police Officer

This position will serve as a Police Officer at the New Mexico VA Medical Center in Albuquerque, NM. 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.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/17/2025. 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-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. 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. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: (In addition to meeting Time and Grade) You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 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 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. (must be in resume). 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. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR POLICE OFFICER POSITION: 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). Academy Training Requirement: New VA Police Officers are required to undergo and successfully complete ten (10) weeks of police academy training at the VA Law Enforcement Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas within 90 days of entrance on duty. Psychological Assessment: Selected candidate will be required to take an initial and annual psychological assessment of their emotional and mental stability by a psychiatrist or psychologist. Any emotional or mental condition which could cause the applicant/officer to be a hazard to others or self during stressful situations and physical altercations will disqualify. The initial psychological assessment will consist of a structured interview and standardized, objective written psychological testing by a psychologist or psychiatrist. The annual psychological assessment will consist of a structured interview, which may lead to further testing as determined by the examining psychologist of psychiatrist. Medical Examination Requirement: A medical examination is required by all selected candidates. The duties of 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. Security Clearance Requirements: This position is a public trust position and requires an extensive background investigation. All selected candidates and current employees must have the capacity to perform the essential functions of position without risk to themselves or others. Selected candidates 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 a selected candidate or employee. A medical condition or impairment is disqualifying only if 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. Officers must successfully meet the requirements prior to entering on duty and annually thereafter as a condition of continued employment. Work Environment: Work in varying and diverse working conditions. Indoors, outdoors, day or night, all climates, in a safe environment or in one with potential for imminent danger. Will be required to work overtime, and different shifts that include weekends and holidays. Will wear a firearm and the required police uniform and equipment, including a protective vest which may be uncomfortable. Will spend time at crime scenes, which may be very unpleasant at times. May be required to work in a biohazard environment and be required to wear protective equipment. The work environment will fluctuate and selectee must be flexible to adapt to the changing conditions. 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. 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/.