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-08 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. 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.You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 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. Assisting in the planning, organization and daily operation of a Police Service, and the development of policies and procedures. Supervising all law enforcement functions, actions and activities on shift i.e., arresting and processing offenders of felony or misdemeanor crimes, traffic enforcement, emergency response, crisis intervention, short term criminal investigations or reported criminal activities, crime prevention activities, physical security inspections, investigating suspicious activity, providing customer assistance, and crime scene investigation and/or preservation. Ensuring that violators of law are identified and arrested or dealt with in accordance with established guidelines and regulations. Creditable specialized experience may have been gained in work on a police force; in performing criminal investigative duties; or in other work that provided the required knowledge and skills..You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: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.

Lead or Supervise
Computer Skills
Public Safety and Security
Communication

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: May be required to walk at length, assume various physical positions, or sit at length while performing administrative functions. Must have good physical dexterity, good eyesight and hearing. Be agile and fit enough to combat and defend against a hostile encounter. May need to run at length and possess the strength and fitness to apprehend a fleeing felon. Must have and maintain overall fitness and health so as not to impede the law enforcement process and functions of his duty.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR POLICE OFFICER POSITION:

Will be required to operate a police vehicle and must retain a valid, state issued driver's license.

Will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties and must maintain firearm proficiency.

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.

Will undergo a character investigation for review of their employment and criminal history, if any, can be disqualified for employment based on the information received. The character investigation is conducted during the pre-employment process. 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.

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.

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.

Security Clearance Requirements : This position is a public trust position and requires an extensive background investigation.

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.

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.

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/.

In compliance with VA Directive 1192, annual influenza vaccination will be required for all VA Employees. The vaccination will be provided by or proof of the vaccination must be provided to the VA Facility's Occupational (Employee) Health Office on an annual basis