Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all United States Citizens and Nationals. More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.

Videos

The position of Special Police Officer is located in the Office of Protection Services. Special Police Officers are armed and commissioned as United States Special Police Officers, have arrest authority, and normally serve in uniform in the performance of his/her duties. They serve in various assignments over a period, during hours when the National Gallery of Art is open to the public and during non-public and non-operating nighttime hours.

• Deny admission to undesirable or unauthorized persons, prevents unauthorized removal of Gallery property, answers inquiries from visitors and aids persons in distress.
• Serve at stationary posts or patrols heavily trafficked public areas or locations that are vulnerable to crimes against persons, theft, vandalism and other damage.
• Detect and prevent offenses, pursue and arrest violators.
• Make thorough inspection after closing hours of exhibit areas, building facilities, and perimeters to detect and report breaches of security, damage to property, fire, and other safety hazards. 
• Assist coworkers, Gallery Staff, supervisors and the public with information, instructions, and directions while maintaining a pleasant and tactful manner at all times. 

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Valid Driver's license required.
• Must be able to stand at fixed post for a maximum of 2.5 hours continuously

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website. It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit appropriate documentation prior to the closing date. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant experience as it relates to this job announcement. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience.

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; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Your resume must include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week.

Qualifications

Conditions of Employment Continued

• Incumbents are required to annually re-qualify with the department's service weapon and recertify in First Aid, CPR, and physical assessment. Failure to re-qualify or re-certify will result in removal from the position.
• All applicants appointed to Law Enforcement positions must attend and successfully complete NGA training program. Applicants who fail to successfully meet this requirement will be subject to termination.
• You must be able to become Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) and First Aid qualified and have the ability to read and understand written material in language of the security force.
• Lautenberg Amendment: This position is covered by the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. A person convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence is not eligible for the position.
• Must be able to lift and carry safety equipment that may weigh up to 20 lbs. such as a fire extinguisher.
• Must be able to wear an equipment belt consisting of a weapon, keys, flashlight, radio, and other items that may have a total weight of 10 pounds during his/her tour of duty.
• Must be able to ascend and descend stairways, fixed vertical ladders, and spiral stairways.
• Must be able to walk patrols in low light areas, on uneven surfaces, in both the interior and exterior of the Gallery for up to 2 ½ hours continuously without a break.
• Must be able to push, pull, slide or lift doors, hatches or gates that may weigh up to 60 lbs.
• Must be able to climb over or crawl under fixed obstructions such as utility pipes, ventilation ducts and other objects in non-public areas.

Note: Competition for Security Guard positions is restricted by law to persons entitled to veterans' preference as long as such applicants are available for appointment.

Specialized Experience Statement: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-05 level in the Federal service or private sector, specialized experience is defined as: experience involving the protection of property against such hazards as fire, theft, damage, accident, or trespass; or maintaining order and protecting life. 

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; religious; 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.

DRIVER'S LICENSE IS REQUIRED AND YOU MUST UPLOAD A COPY OF YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE WITH YOUR APPLICATION. 

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 requirements relate.

Applicants and employees must have the capacity to perform the essential functions of the position without risk to themselves or others. 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. Reasonable accommodation may include, but is not limited to the use of assistive devices, job modification or restructuring, provision of readers and interpreters, or adjusted work schedules.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your resume will be used to evaluate your experience, education, and/or training that address the competencies below: 

Security:  Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and guidelines related to securing personnel, facilities, and information, including the requirements for handling, transporting, and protecting classified information and proper reporting of security incidents.

Oral Communication:  Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

Category Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of the three quality categories: The quality categories are defined as: Qualified, Well Qualified, or Best Qualified.

Qualified Category = Does not exceed the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.

Well Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the Critical Competencies defined below. (This category must be met to be considered under ICTAP procedures)

Best Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and excels in the Critical Competencies defined below. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of many," but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent or higher will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to submit writing and/or work samples as part of the interview/selection process. If the hiring office decides to request a writing and/or work sample as part of its selection process, the vacancy contact will reach out to you by email to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions.