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Police Officer

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
Division of Police (DP), Office of Research Services (ORS), Office of the Director (OD)

Summary

Division of Police ensures the safety and security of employees, visitors, patients, and contractors, as well as the protection of NIH's research and knowledge assets through administering, enforcing, and coordinating a comprehensive full-service security, police protection, and law enforcement program for the health care, research, administration, and support facilities and personnel at the NIH campus and off-campus facilities.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/05/2026 to 01/12/2026
Salary
$70,694 to - $91,904 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Location
8 vacancies in the following location:
Bethesda, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
7
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
NIH-ORS-DE-26-12857731
Control number
853290300

Duties

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  • Performs the full range of duties in the investigation/apprehension of suspected offenders, such as: carrying a firearm or other weapon to enforce and maintain law and order.
  • Patrols assigned area on foot or in a patrol vehicle.
  • Investigates suspicious situations and takes appropriate action such as identifying and arresting suspected violators based on probable cause.
  • Officer may be required to take law enforcement action off the property of the agency.
  • Develops and follows leads, takes statements, and gathers bits of information and facts.
  • Searches vehicles, persons, and packages entering the organization for weapons of mass destruction or contraband.
  • Responds to bomb threats which includes searching for locating and differentiating between harmless and suspicious biohazards and chemicals.
  • Works radar equipment and enforces speed limits. Issues citations for speeding, traffic and parking violations.
  • Investigates traffic accidents, noting location of vehicles involved; any skid marks; violation of traffic laws, recording measurements and photographing crime scene, issues violation notices, and prepares documentation for court.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • This position requires weekend hours, night shifts, regular or rotational shifts, holiday hours. This position has on-call or call-back requirements.
  • If selected, you must pass a pre-employment medical examination, psychological examination, provide evidence of immunization, and be free from communicable diseases.
  • If selected, you must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle license or must be able to obtain a valid driver before a final offer of employment.
  • If selected, you will be covered by a bargaining unit (union).
  • If selected, you must be able to lift and move heavy items weighing 50 lbs. or more.
  • If selected, you may be required to use protective clothing.
  • If selected for this position, a Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB) test consisting of a Sit and Reach, Bench Press, and Agility run may be required.
  • If selected for this position, you will be expected to travel 12 weeks for initial entrance level training at Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). FLETC may be waived for eligible candidates.
  • If selected, you must be able to work outdoors under all weather conditions.
  • This position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended, which prohibits access to firearms by people convicted of crimes involving domestic violence or any felonious act.
  • If selected, you must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret background investigation.
  • You must have reached your 21st birthday prior to an initial Federal Police Officer appointment.
  • This is a drug testing position incumbent must submit to and successfully pass a urinalysis drug screening prior to appointment. The incumbent will also be subject to unannounced random drug testing for the duration of their time in this position.
  • If selected, you will be required to wear a uniform. Criminal history background checks are a required for this position.
  • Candidates must qualify with the authorized issued weapon once per quarter. A minimum qualifying score of 210 must be obtained at each qualification session.
  • If selected, you will be required to obtain and maintain a CPR and First Aid Certification.

Qualifications

You qualify at the GS-07 level, if you meet the following qualification requirement:

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) working as an officer on a police force or serving as a military police officer; 2) performing criminal investigative duties; 3) taking initial charge of a crime or accident scene and restricting access to those persons required on the scene; 4) apprehending persons fleeing a crime scene or attempting to resist arrest; AND 5) interrogating suspects.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12857731

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information


  • This position is designated as an "emergency essential" position and the selected candidate will be considered an "emergency essential " employee and will be required to be available, ready, willing, and able to report for duty under all circumstances (e.g., inclement weather, government closings and holidays, lapses in appropriations, non-emergency and emergency situations) for operation 24 hours a day and 365 days per year coverage.
  • This position may be exposed and/or assigned to work with, handle, receive, or store materials designated as Select Agents and Toxins by the Federal Select Agent Program, and is subject to the terms of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Biological Surety Program (BSP). A Bioterrorism Security Risk Assessment: https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/bioterrorism-security-risk-assessment-form
  • Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
  • We may make additional selections for similar positions within the commuting area(s) of the locations listed through this vacancy announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s). Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions.
  • The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Visit our Help Applying page for helpful information on the application process.
  • If selected, you may be eligible to receive a salary above the minimum based on superior qualifications and/or a special need of the Government for your services. This applies to employees paid under the General Schedule (GS) and Federal Wage System (FWS) pay systems and is at the discretion of the hiring manager. A salary above the minimum must be approved before the appointment.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and your score on the required assessments. This recruitment will use the following assessment(s): Accomplishment Record

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Accident Investigation
  • Arrest
  • Crowd & Traffic Control
  • Technology Application
. If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application and assessment scores will be evaluated under Category Rating and selection procedures for placement in one of the following categories:
  • Best Qualified - for those who are superior in the evaluation criteria
  • Well Qualified - for those who excel in the evaluation criteria
  • Qualified - for those who meet the minimum qualification requirements
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Applicants determined to be Best Qualified will be referred for further consideration. Preference eligibles in the Best Qualified category are referred before all other applicants.

How You Will Be Evaluated
To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least 80 points on assessment(s), and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

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