Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current, permanent employees of the Police Service at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and outpatient clinics. Also CTAP and RPL eligibles.

Videos

Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Providing recommendations in the development, and periodic updating of local VA law enforcement and security policy for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
• Assists in ensuring compliance with law enforcement policies designed to ensure the preservation of the public peace, the protection of life and property, the prevention of crime, the arrest and prosecution of violators of law, and the proper enforcement of all laws, regulations, directives, and administrative issuances related to the VHA and its associated facilities.
• Auditing, analyzing, and developing reports and action plans related to key program indicators published by the, Office of Security & Law Enforcement, Office of Inspector General, Government Accountability Office, and any other agencies conducting audits of the VHA's law enforcement and security programs.
• Serving as the local facility lead for the development of law enforcement and security policy.
• Assisting the Security Officer with developing action plans related to the findings, and monitors time sensitive progress to mitigating vulnerabilities assessed during program reviews.
• Participating in short- and long-range strategic planning designed to incorporate improvements and lessons learned into program operations.
• Is a key participant in the Office of Emergency Management's Emergency Management Capabilities Assessment Program (EMCAP).
• Serving as the local liaison with the Office of Inspector General, Government Accountability Office, Police Program Inspections and any other agencies conducting audits of the VHA's law enforcement and security programs.
• Participating in work groups, committees and task forces in the research, collection and reporting of compliance data.
• Developing, writing, revising, and managing the Police Service catalog of policies and forms to meet accreditation standards; and maintains accreditation files.
• Auditing work practices, providing guidance and recommendations, and presents findings and corrective actions.
• Planning, designing, and implementing an overall risk management process for the VA Police organization, including analysis of the financial impact when risks occur.
• Employing advanced qualitative and quantitative techniques to improve the efficiency of internal administrative operations, organizations, or management.
• Coordinating quality assurance program across the VISN by coordinating efforts or functions that impact multiple Medical Centers and sites of care.
• Participating and leading in community of practice (COP) across Medical Centers and VISNs with VHA Police Services.
• Developing and leading implementation of VISN-wide initiatives on behalf of VHA Police Services and VISN Leadership.
• Directs a variety of policing and law enforcement assignment and projects that are performed on VA Departmental property: including any properties owned, leased, or licensed when consistent with Federal laws, regulation, VA policy and operational guidance.
• Responds to highly dangerous and active crimes in progress and makes independent decisions to take/direct/coordinate immediate steps to preserve life and property.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

You will be expected to travel to Community based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), for Training and to different facilities within the VISN to assist with inspections.

Preferred Experience: Expertise in security policy compliance, risk assessment, and the development and implementation of security protocols in a federal or military environment, with a proven track record of effectively managing security operations.

Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Full-time
Telework: Not eligible
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Security Specialist - Non-Uniformed Compliance Officer/PD99589S and PD99728S
Functional Statement #: PD99589S and PD99728S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENT: This position requires a current, valid, state-issued driver's license. DO NOT SUBMIT A DRIVERS LICENSE IN YOUR APPLICATION- YOU WILL PROVIDE THIS IF SELECTED IN ONBOARDING.

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 trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/14/2026

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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS09.

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 and/or education s described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: providing physical security and assistance to groups and individuals; ensuring compliance with security procedures designed to safeguard personnel and property; applying knowledge of security and protection regulations, policies, procedures, and practices; utilizing various security equipment and devices; making recommendations to improve security processes; providing physical security consultation services to an organization. Also performs law enforcement assignments such as, responding to reports of crimes and/or calls for police assistance; securing crime scenes and/or accident sites; taking appropriate actions in emergency situations; conducting investigations; keeping abreast of law enforcement rules, regulations and techniques. Applicants must possess excellent communication skills. NOTE: 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. . OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for GS-09 you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. To qualify based on education for the GS-11 grade level you must have completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M. in field a directly related to this position being filled (i.e., criminal law, criminal justice, etc.). This education must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college, or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond completed graduate level education (beyond a master's degree) and specialized experience as described above to meet total experience requirements. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation..

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.

Physical Requirements: The work requires full use of extremities, normal hearing, and vision to conduct on-site security surveys, inspections, and assessments. The duties require prolonged standing, sitting, walking, crouching, bending, lifting, reaching, pushing, stooping, and climbing stairs and ladders indoors and outdoors.

Work Environment: On-site surveys, inspections, and assessments require exposure to a wide variety of working elements, both indoors and outside, general and specialized office space. Clothing is subject to being soiled when checking basements, crawl space, attics and other similar areas. Wearing of safety clothing and equipment when in construction or industrial areas is required.

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.

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/.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

• Accountability
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.