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Supervisory Law Enforcement Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Washington DC VA Medical Center

Summary

This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness (OSP), Field Operations, VA Police Service. VA Police Service provides Federal law-enforcement, protective, investigative, emergency-response, and related public-safety services in support of Veterans, employees, affiliates, contractors, visitors, and others who receive services, work, or visit VA facilities and properties.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$85,447 - $111,087 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
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
CBTF-13103901-27-MW-Charlie
Control number
891007900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This position is open to Veterans Health Administration employees and CTAP eligible candidates (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements) only. This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.

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Duties

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

Second-Level Supervision and Operational Direction

  • Directs, coordinates, and evaluates law-enforcement operations through subordinate first-level Supervisory Police Officers.
  • Ensures subordinate supervisors apply law, policy, procedures, and professional policing standards consistently.
  • Uses incident reviews, case reviews, inspections, operational data, crime trends, after-action findings, training results, and other information to improve law-enforcement operations, investigative quality, officer safety, service delivery, accountability, and continuity of police operations.
Technical Law-Enforcement Direction and Complex Investigations
  • Serves as a senior operational and technical law-enforcement resource for subordinate supervisors on complex matters involving Federal police authority.
  • Directs or provides senior supervisory oversight of investigations and enforcement actions that exceed normal shift-level resolution because of complexity, sensitivity, seriousness, duration, multi-jurisdictional issues, conflicting or incomplete evidence, substantial operational risk, or the need for coordination with other law-enforcement organizations, prosecutors, courts, VA counsel, or senior VA officials.
  • Resolves technical disagreements among subordinate supervisors concerning enforcement authority, investigative methods, evidence, case disposition, operational tactics, and application of policy.
Critical Incident Command and Emergency Operations
  • Provides second-level command and supervisory direction during significant incidents, including active threats, violent crimes in progress, major uses of force, serious assaults, high- risk searches or apprehensions, barricaded subjects, threats to Government officials or VA facilities, major disturbances, missing high-risk persons, infrastructure failures, disasters, and other events that threaten life, property, continuity of operations, or critical VA functions.
  • Applies National Incident Management System {NIMS) and Incident Command System {ICS) principles to establish or transition command and control, define operational objectives, assign responsibilities, integrate responding resources, establish perimeters and access controls, coordinate evacuations or protective actions, and synchronize VA Police activity with other VA elements and outside public-safety agencies.
  • Assesses evolving risk and directs subordinate supervisors concerning deployment, tactical posture, specialized resources, scene integrity, evidence preservation, officer safety, public safety, and continuity of law-enforcement operations.
Policy Interpretation, Compliance, and Quality Assurance
  • Monitors changes in Federal and State law, court decisions, legal precedent, VA law -enforcement authority, Departmental directives, operational policy, technology, policing practices, threat information, and other developments that may affect VA Police operations.
  • Conducts or directs second-level quality assurance of police operations and work products.
  • Collaborates with the Chief of Police, Deputy Chief of Police, peer supervisors, legal counsel, prosecutors, facility officials, and other stakeholders in developing or refining law-enforcement procedures and operational plans.
Supervisory and Managerial Authorities
  • Exercises recurring delegated supervisory and managerial authorities over subordinate supervisors and employees.
  • Uses subordinate supervisors and leaders to direct, coordinate, and oversee police work and makes decisions on work problems presented by them. Uses subordinate supervisors and leaders to direct, coordinate, and oversee police work and makes decisions on work problems presented by them.
  • Participates in or makes recommendations concerning selections, promotions, reassignments, recognition, awards, training, staffing, scheduling, overtime, leave, and other personnel actions within delegated authority.
  • Identifies and addresses significant operational bottlenecks, barriers to effective service delivery, or systemic deficiencies.
Interagency Coordination and Representation
  • Establishes and maintains professional working relationships with Federal, State, county, municipal, tribal, and other law-enforcement and public-safety organizations, prosecutors, courts, attorneys, emergency management organizations, and VA officials.
  • Represents the assigned police organization in operational meetings, case conferences, incident coordination, after-action reviews, and other forums.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Law Enforcement Specialist/PD00217A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Requirements

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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
  • 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 or 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, 11/09/2026.

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-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. 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-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: experience leading and coordinating complex law enforcement operations; supervising subordinate personnel; evaluating operational performance; ensuring compliance with established policies and procedures; developing operational plans; managing critical incidents; assessing staffing and resource requirements; implementing corrective actions; communicating effectively with executive leadership and external stakeholders; exercising sound judgment; maintaining accountability; improving operational efficiency; supporting organizational readiness in a complex law enforcement environment. 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 this grade level you must have a PhD. or equivalent graduate degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, in a field related to physical security that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position or LL.M., if related. 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. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
Creditable specialized experience may have been gained in work on a police force; through service as a military police officer; in work providing visitor protection and law enforcement in parks, forests, or other natural resource or recreational environments; in performing criminal investigative duties; or in other work that provided the required knowledge and skills.

Security guard or corrections officer experience is generally not qualifying.

Note: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week. You must provide detailed information of your experience performed. Information such as "I was a Patrolman", "I was a Police Officer for a number of years," or "I enforced Federal, State, county, and laws" is insufficient to determine your qualifications. Experience must be fully documented in your resume and must include job title, duties, month & year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

DRUG TEST REQUIREMENT: Applicant selected for movement into positions covered by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control and must pass urinalysis testing as required before the appointment and periodically after that. The position is subject to random drug testing.
TRAVEL: The position may require 25% or more travel away from the office.
TRAINING: Incumbent must meet the established experience, basic training, and in -service training requirements established for the enforcement of police powers. Incumbent must successfully complete the designated, required training, which includes the basic VA Police Officer Standardized Training (POST). Must obtain and maintain all LETC instructor certifications. Additionally, the selectee must successfully complete the Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) conducted at the selectee's assigned duty location or a different geographic area, and other in-service requirements and weapons qualifications for the enforcement of arrest authority as conferred under 902 authority.
ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL: This position may be designated as essential personnel. Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, acts of terrorism, or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations (5 U.S.C. ยง 7501-7533 and 5 CFR Part 752, as applicable).
LAW ENFORCEMENT: This position will possess law enforcement authority under Title 38 of the United States Code, Sections 901 & 902, exercising such authority to provide investigative and law enforcement services to Veterans, Federal employees, and members of the general public located and/or conducting business in government- owned or leased properties.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL REQUIREMENT: Prior to appointment, the person selected for this position must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties, which may include protecting citizens, taking suspects into custody using reasonable physical force in the face of physical resistance, and responding to situations requiring physical agility and quick and legally sufficient decision making. Also successfully pass a pre-employment medical examination (which includes, but is not limited to, vision, hearing, cardiovascular, physical, psychological exam, and mobility of extremities) given by an authorized government physician. This position may be subject to periodic incumbent examinations in the future.
LAUTENBERG AMENDMENT: This position is covered by the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. Persons convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence are not eligible for this position.
FIREARMS REQUIREMENT: The incumbent will be required to carry a firearm or firearms while performing the duties of this position. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory.
MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATION: The incumbent must possess and maintain a valid automobile driver's license and be available for frequent travel.

Preferred Experience:
  • Overseeing daily police operations, personnel deployment, patrol activities, emergency response, incident management, and operational readiness.
  • Implementing law enforcement policies, conducting operational assessments, monitoring performance standards, and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.
  • Coordinating with executive leadership, managing critical incidents, addressing operational deficiencies, and developing strategies to improve organizational effectiveness, accountability, and public safety.
Physical Requirements: see additional information section.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Physical Requirements: The work includes substantial supervisory and administrative duties but requires the incumbent to maintain readiness to perform Federal police duties. When operationally necessary, the incumbent may engage in running, climbing, prolonged standing, lifting or carrying equipment or persons over 50 pounds, pursuing or restraining resistant individuals, wearing protective equipment, and other strenuous activities associated with armed law-enforcement response.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:


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; 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.

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/.


Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care.

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.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

The Washington DC VA Medical Center, located within sight of the Nation's Capitol, is the only health care system that specifically provides care to Veterans. Offering tertiary care in a Complexity Level IA hospital, allows ours staff to provide comprehensive primary and specialty care in medicine, surgery, neurology and psychiatry. The medical center has 175 acute care beds, 30 Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment beds, and a 20-suite Fisher House. Also, the medical center is home to an adjacent 120-bed Community Living Center which provides Veterans with geriatric long-term care, hospice and palliative care.

Agency contact information

Miranda Walker
Phone
1-678-924-5700 X573329
Email
Miranda.Walker1@va.gov
Address
Washington VA Medical Center
50 Irving Street, Northwest
Washington, DC 20422
US

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