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Law Enforcement Officer

Department of the Interior
Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs

Summary

This position is located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, District 4-Regional Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Blanding, Utah; Mescalero, New Mexico; San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico; Towaoc, Colorado.

This is a Bargaining Unit position, for more information see USA Jobs What are bargaining units?

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Maybe Authorized. Recruitment Incentive: Maybe Authorized for some locations.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$51,632 - $64,191 per year
Pay scale & grade
GL 7 - 11
Promotion potential
11
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
76% or greater - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
ST-26-13042182-CAWV-SQ
Control number
882880600

Duties

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As Law Enforcement Officer, GL-1801, your typical work assignments may include but not limited to:

  • Investigating criminal activities, such as assault, homicide, robbery, vandalism, illegal possession of drugs/firearms, public intoxication, traffic incidents, and other activities.
  • Enforcing Federal and Tribal laws applicable to Indian Country
  • Collaborating with other law enforcement agencies, including state, tribal, and other federal agencies, on cases and other law enforcement activities of mutual interest
  • Apprehending violators of Federal, Tribal and/or State criminal laws
  • Applying for and executing search and arrest warrants
  • Testifying and presenting evidence to grand juries in cases involving felony violations
  • Training and developing lower graded law enforcement officers.
The duties listed are demonstrative of this position at the full performance GS-11 level. Selection at the lower level, will allow for the opportunity to learn and perform these duties by receiving training to develop in the position.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated
  • A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • If you are a male applicant born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
  • Incumbent is required to operate a government motor vehicle, must possess a valid driver's license, and have a safe driving record within the 4 year period immediately preceding submittal of GSA Form 3607.
  • Selectees must pass a pre-employment medical examination and may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to determine if they are maintaining the fitness standards for this position.
  • Drug Testing. This position is subject to both pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
  • You must meet the qualifications and be certified to carry a firearm. You will need to maintain firearm proficiency.
  • This position has been approved for Primary Law Enforcement Coverage.
  • There is a residency requirement for all applicants to live within 50 miles of their assigned duty station unless written prior approval is obtained by the Director. This is a condition of home-to-work vehicle authorization.
  • You must successfully complete mandatory basic / advanced training as a condition of employment. Annual training is required to maintain qualifications in accordance with BIA OJS standards and policies.
  • Applicant shall not possess any Brady/Giglio violations or concerns.

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards
GL-07: To qualify at the GL-07 level you must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GL-05 grade level performing ALL of the following: 1) Assisting in conducting preliminary investigations; 2) Participating in traffic, boundary, trail, and/or hunting patrols to enforce federal laws; and 3) Executing arrest warrants OR
Education: (1) Successful completion of one full year of graduate level education (18 semester or 27 quarter hours) OR
Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.): S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, -or- (3) honor society membership. 1. Class standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class based on completed courses.
2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum as recorded on their official transcript, or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. 3. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society - Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor society. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision. OR
A combination of education and experience that totals 100% of the requirement above.

GL-09:
To qualify at the GL-09 level you must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GL-07 grade level performing ALL of the following: 1) Requesting and presenting justifications for arrest warrants; 2) Conducting investigations of criminal activities; 3) Prosecuting and apprehending violators of law to ensure the protection and safe use of facilities and resources; and 4) Maintaining the lifespan of evidence from collection to proper disposal, upon completion of cases. OR
Education: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree or a LL. B or J.D., in a related field of study OR a combination of specialized experience and education that totals 100% of the experience requirement. OR
A combination of experience and education that totals 100% of the requirement above.

GS-11:
To qualify at the GS-11 level you must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GL-09 grade level performing ALL of the following: 1) Investigating criminal activities to include locating and securing crime and collecting evidence; 2) Issuing citations and filing criminal complaints; 3) Collaborating with other law enforcement officers and agencies via the exchange of information and coordinated activities of mutual interest, as related to criminal cases; 4) Contacting and informing public land users of procedures, laws, and regulations to gain compliance; and 5) Providing feedback to bureau supervisors and employees on law enforcement protection issues. OR
Education: 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or a L.L.M. in a related field of study OR a combination of specialized experience and education that totals 100% of the experience requirement. OR
A combination of experience and education that totals 100% of the requirement above.

FIREARMS REQUIREMENT: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child; or 8) convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE LIMIT: The maximum entry-age for this position shall not exceed age 37, unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian law enforcement [or firefighter, if applicable] experience or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application will result in the loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement. If you have an approved age waiver, please submit that with your application.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Merit Promotion candidates must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date.

Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur in the same location within 90 days from the closing date.

Education

If you are qualifying based on your education, you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education which shows the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: FOREIGN EDUCATION

Additional information

All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2026 Salary Tables and select the pay chart for Albuquerque, New Mexico; Blanding, Utah; Mescalero, New Mexico; San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico; Towaoc, Colorado. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart.

The full performance level of this position is GL-11. Promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. A career ladder promotion is at the discretion of management, and in no way guaranteed.

The probationary or trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will 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.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your [probationary period -OR- trial period] your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)

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), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

Please follow all instructions carefully, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of additional assessments, including USA Hire.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Arrest
  • Attention to Detail
  • Criminal Investigation
  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Forensics
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork
  • Written Communication

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.

Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC, Section 472). Verification Form BIA-4432 must be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference. Indian Preference eligibles not currently employed in Federal service may be appointed under the Excepted Service Appointment Authority Schedule A, 213.3112(a)(7). Consideration will be given to Non-Indian applicants in the absence of qualified Indian Preference eligibles. For more information, please visit: https://www.bia.gov/jobs.

DUE WEIGHT FOR PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS AND AWARDS. For Current and Former Federal Employees, due weight will be given for performance and awards. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

REVIEW BEFORE YOU SUBMIT: You may preview the assessment questions here in the https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13042182.

Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs

BIA's mission is to enhance the quality of life, to promote economic opportunity, and to carry out the responsibility to protect and improve the trust assets of American Indians, Indian Tribes and Alaska Natives.

Indian Affairs (IA) provides services to 575 federally recognized tribes with a population of about 2.5 million American Indians and Alaska Natives. While the role of IA has changed significantly in the last three decades in response to a greater emphasis on Indian self-governance and self-determination, Tribes still look to IA for a broad spectrum of programs such as social services, law enforcement and detention services, administration of Tribal courts, natural resources management, economic development, implementation of land and water claim settlements, housing improvement, disaster relief, and the replacement and maintenance of schools, roads, and bridges.

Agency contact information

Stephanie Qahavi
Phone
771-210-1415
Email
stephanie.qahavi@bia.gov
Address
AS-IA Human Resources
12220 Sunrise Valley Dr., Room 4047
Reston, VA 20191
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.bia.gov/

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