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Police Officer (CAT/ERT)

Department of Defense
Pentagon Force Protection Agency
Office of the Principal Deputy Director

Summary

This position is located in the PFPA, Law Enforcement Directorate, Pentagon Police Division. As a Police Officer, the primary responsibilities are force protection, security, and law enforcement in the NCR for the people, facilities, infrastructure, and other resources at the Pentagon Facilities. The incumbent serves on the Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Counter Assault Team (CAT) performing a full range of police officer functions in addition to ERT and CAT duties and responsibilities.



Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/09/2025 to 12/08/2026
Salary
$79,169 to - $136,994 per year
Pay scale & grade
AD 6 - 7
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Pentagon, Arlington, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
7
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DHA-12833205-26-TJ
Control number
851939900

Duties

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This is a Direct Hire Public Notice, under this recruitment, applications will be accepted for each location and/or installation identified in this Public Notice and selections are made for vacancies as they occur. There may or may not be actual/projected vacancies at the time you submit your application.

This Public Notice is to gather applications which may or may not result in a referral or selection.

This position is being filled under Direct Hire Authority (DHA) in accordance with Section
9902(b)(2) of Title 5 U.S. Code.

Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.


Incumbents typical work assignments may include the following:

  • Serves as an Operator for the PFPA Emergency Response Team (ERT), responding and mitigating high threat critical incidents and/or Counter Assault Team (CAT), responsible for providing tactical support to the Secretary of Defense and senior DoD officials around the NCR.
  • Participates in neutralizing ground assault, unmanned aerial threats, protected extraction techniques and tactical medicine.
  • The employee patrols a designated area to preserve law and order; investigates complaints, disturbances, accidents, and reported criminal activities; testifies in court.
  • Responds to emergency and routine calls which may involve dangerous personnel or personnel who have committed felonies.
  • Checks badges and identification cards of incoming personnel. Performs searches of individuals and hand carried items for weapons, narcotics, explosives, and other illegal contraband.
  • Operates official government vehicles, including sedans, sport utility vehicles, and vans in various weather conditions.
  • Conducts preliminary investigations of surveillance and suspicious persons on and around the Pentagon Reservation.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration)
  • Total salary varies depending on location of position
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period
  • Must be determined suitable for federal employment
  • Required to participate in the direct deposit program
  • This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing
  • The employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). A Special Background Investigation (SBI) is required with favorable adjudication by a determining authority.
  • The employee must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license from the jurisdiction where he or she resides.
  • The employee must meet requirements of “Lautenberg Agreement” which outline rules regarding carrying of firearms.
  • The employee must qualify bi-annually with assigned weapon(s).
  • This position is subject to recall 24/7 and the employee is required to work shifts; days off vary.
  • The employee must have passed the PPD/ERT Basic SWAT Operators Course or equivalent SWAT/Tactical Operators Course. The employee must pass the PPD/ERT Bi-Annual Tactical Physical Fitness Test.
  • This position is authorized for the Domicile-to-Duty Transportation Program. Domicile-to-duty mileage is limited to operators living within 50 driving miles, one way of their duty location.
  • Retention in this position is contingent upon the successful completion and passing of all agency-trained requirements. This includes "Introduction to Field Training Programs" and any other FTO training requirements.
  • Police Officers assigned to ‘Special Units” may be eligible for an additional 6% supplement (Special Unit Pay) upon successful completion of required training.
  • As a police officer representing PFPA, it is essential that the employee present a professional and competent image, with a clean, neatly pressed uniform or attire.
  • The employee assigned to this position is designated as a MISSION ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEE.
  • The employee must be in a constant state of physical readiness and must be capable of demonstrating maximum physical exertion without warning.
  • This position requires the employee to take and pass annual medical and physical fitness examinations.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below.


You may qualify at the AD-6 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the AD-5 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your experience in:

1) Knowledge of applicable federal laws sufficient to conduct short and long-term investigations, respond to emergency calls, complaints, and other calls for service; 2) Knowledge of proper procedures for Identifying, safeguarding, preserving, and collect evidence and data under normal, adverse, or life threatening situations; 3) Ability to operate official police vehicles under hazardous conditions, such as suspect pursuit or surveillance, adverse weather conditions.

You may qualify at the AD-7 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the AD-6 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your experience in:

1) Conducting long- and short-term investigations when solutions cannot be achieved during the course of a normal patrol shift; 2) Developing and following leads, take statements, and otherwise gather bits of information and facts; 3) Evaluating crime prevention programs and recommending changes to reduce opportunities for theft, assault, illegal entry, or other kinds of violations.

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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

All qualifications and education requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.
Your resume may not exceed two (2) pages
. For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the duration of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration.

Read more about what should I include in my federal resume at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, as part of their application package, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, indicating the service member is otherwise eligible and will be discharged or released within 120 days from the date of submission.. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. This "certification" must include your rank, dates of active duty service, type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable), and date any terminal leave will begin. It must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible". Members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if they are on terminal leave.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.

Additional information

Probationary Periods: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, 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 probationary 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 an online application, you may request an alternative application. Please send an email to the following address for information on how to obtain an alternative application: whs.job.application.assistance@mail.mil

Reemployed Annuitants: Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. /www.esd.whs.mil/DD/DoD-Issuances/140025/

Current or Former Political Appointees: Agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

Nepotism: Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110, an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative.

Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.

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.

Note: Under this DHA, veteran's preference does not apply.

Your application (resumes and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed in this announcement.

DOD PPP candidates using Application-Based Procedures:


Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-3) to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference.

Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-2) to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference.

Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-1) to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference.

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