Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current permanent VA Puget Sound Healthcare System employees only.

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Serves as the Training Manager and Primary Firearms Armorer for the Police Service, functioning as the primary technical authority for planning, developing, and managing the Police Service training programs and firearms maintenance.
• Designs, implements, and evaluates comprehensive training of all Ground Defense and Recovery Instructors, Firearms Instructors, Tactical Firearms Instructors, Active Threat Response Instructors, and Armorers.
• Plans, organizes, and manages all aspects of the Police Service training program in accordance with VA Handbook 0730, established training policies, and Federal guidelines.
• Maintains accurate and current training records, ensuring all required training is completed within established timeframes. Provides routine advisement regarding training accomplishments, deficiencies, and potential problems. Prepares reports and disseminates accurate and useful information to Police Service personnel and management officials to meet quality and quantity standards established by the Department of Justice, OSLE, and the Law Enforcement Training Center.
• Oversee the Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) program. This program is a detailed initial training conducted at the facility level for all new VA Police hires. Observes and evaluates the performance of Police Officer Training Instructors during quarterly training sessions, monthly rapid response drills, and real-world situations.
• Reviews police reports for proper classification under Uniform Crime Report (UCR) categories and provides feedback through appropriate channels. Conducts Use of Force reviews to determine appropriateness, documents findings, and reports results.
• Monitors local and national law enforcement trends and analyzes local and regional UCR data to identify training needs.
• Coordinates and ensures delivery of all required training, resolves classroom issues, and secures supplemental materials as needed.
• Performs administrative duties related to training, including preparing and monitoring the training budget and overseeing equipment needs.
• Serves as the primary liaison for training-related matters with VA Central Office, other facilities, and external law enforcement partners. The incumbent will coordinate local and/or regional training with outside law enforcement partners.
• Maintains technical expertise in firearms maintenance and ensures compliance with all applicable standards and safety requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Tours may vary to include 8, 10, or 12-hour shifts, depending on the needs of the service.
Telework: This position may be authorized for telework on an as needed (ad hoc) basis, determined by the needs of the service.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Law Enforcement Specialist (Training Coordinator)/PD99844S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

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 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 probationary 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 within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 11/05/2026.

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 within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. 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 as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Comprehensive knowledge of law enforcement training standards, firearms safety protocols, and VA security policies to plan, develop, and manage a full-service training program; Skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods to assess training needs, measure program effectiveness, and identify gaps based on operational performance and crime trend data; proficiency in planning, organizing, and coordinating complex training schedules; ability to manage administrative tasks such as maintaining accurate training records, monitoring budgets, and overseeing equipment needs. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B or J.D in a related field of the position to be filled. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-9. You must have a combination of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 described above to meet the total experience requirements. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED).

DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENT: This position requires a current, valid, state-issued driver's license. For the following question, indicate either Yes or No. Please select only one letter. 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.

FIREARM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: VA Police Officers are required to carry agency-approved firearms while on duty on VA property. Officers must achieve and maintain qualification/certification with the agency-approved firearms as condition of gaining and continuing employment as a Police Officer. Applicants must be able to possess firearms under the terms of the Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended (18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9).You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Arrest
• Criminal Investigation
• First Response
• Interpersonal Skills
• Public Safety and Security
• Security

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.

Physical Requirements: Much of the work involves on-site work requiring prolonged walking over flat and even surfaces, working in confined spaces, crouching, bending, crawling, standing, and climbing. The work requires outside exposure to all temperatures. Also requires moderate to arduous physical exertion and possible exposure to personal danger.

Working Conditions: Some work is performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. The position requires exposure to varying climate and environmental conditions, including cold and warm weather conditions and/or exposure to high noise levels and dangerous substances. Appropriate safety practices will always be utilized.

ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment, must qualify to be issued a firearm and semi-annually with assigned firearm, annually with an expandable Straight Baton (MEB), maintain a valid State or Commonwealth Driver's License and pass annual physical and psychosocial assessments. Applicants must be able to possess firearms under the terms of the Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended (18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9).

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

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 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.

Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:
- Job title
- Duties (be as detailed as possible)
- Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
- Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
- Salary/Rank etc.
- Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
- References, current or recent supervisor
Do not include the following types of information in your resume:
- Classified or Government sensitive information
- Social Security Number (SNN)
- Photos of yourself
- Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your
responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. The experience stated in your resume must support your
assessment responses.Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit

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.