What are the responsibilities and job description for the Police Officer position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
This position will serve as a Police Officer at the Augusta VA Medical Center in Augusta - GA The Police Officer will perform a full range of police duties by following and executing rules - regulations - or procedures covering law and rules enforcement - physical and personal security operations - patrol duties - control desk duty - coordination with local courts - and/or crime prevention activities for the local jurisdiction
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 04/10/2026. GS-06-grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service); specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service (or equivalent pay band) - that provided a knowledge of a body of basic laws and regulations - law enforcement operations - practices - and techniques and involved responsibility for maintaining order and protecting life and property. Specialized experience includes maintaining order to protect life and property; taking initial complaints; interviewing witnesses; securing a crime scene and conducting limited searches; responding to emergency situations; gathering information and preparing reports; conducting routine patrol - traffic control - and traffic accident investigations. Experience as a security guard or corrections officer is generally not qualifying. NOTE: 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. Driver's License Requirement: Applicants must possess a valid - unrestricted State driver's license - have a safe driving record - and demonstrate that he or she is medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely. Applicants are required to pass agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination. 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 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). POLICE OFFICER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYEMENT 1. Required to attend an 8 - 10-week course at the VA Law Enforcement Training Center in Little Rock - Arkansas (if not already completed). Satisfactory completion of this course is a condition of continued employment. 2. Must attend and successfully complete the 12-week Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) (if not already completed). Satisfactory completion of this course is a condition of continued employment. Scheduling and attendance of CITP is at the needs of the agency and FLETC class availability. 3. A medical examination is required. 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. 4. Applicants and employees must have the capacity to perform the essential functions of the position without risk to themselves or others. Applicants and employees must possess emotional and mental stability. A psychological examination is required. 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. 5. A character investigation will be conducted on applicants selected for employment. The purpose of such an investigation is to secure evidence of the candidate's honesty - integrity - general character - and loyalty to the U.S. Government. 6. 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). 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/.
Duties
This position will serve as a Police Officer at the Augusta VA Medical Center in Augusta - GA The Police Officer will perform a full range of police duties by following and executing rules - regulations - or procedures covering law and rules enforcement - physical and personal security operations - patrol duties - control desk duty - coordination with local courts - and/or crime prevention activities for the local jurisdiction
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 04/10/2026. GS-06-grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service); specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service (or equivalent pay band) - that provided a knowledge of a body of basic laws and regulations - law enforcement operations - practices - and techniques and involved responsibility for maintaining order and protecting life and property. Specialized experience includes maintaining order to protect life and property; taking initial complaints; interviewing witnesses; securing a crime scene and conducting limited searches; responding to emergency situations; gathering information and preparing reports; conducting routine patrol - traffic control - and traffic accident investigations. Experience as a security guard or corrections officer is generally not qualifying. NOTE: 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. Driver's License Requirement: Applicants must possess a valid - unrestricted State driver's license - have a safe driving record - and demonstrate that he or she is medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely. Applicants are required to pass agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination. 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 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). POLICE OFFICER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYEMENT 1. Required to attend an 8 - 10-week course at the VA Law Enforcement Training Center in Little Rock - Arkansas (if not already completed). Satisfactory completion of this course is a condition of continued employment. 2. Must attend and successfully complete the 12-week Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) (if not already completed). Satisfactory completion of this course is a condition of continued employment. Scheduling and attendance of CITP is at the needs of the agency and FLETC class availability. 3. A medical examination is required. 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. 4. Applicants and employees must have the capacity to perform the essential functions of the position without risk to themselves or others. Applicants and employees must possess emotional and mental stability. A psychological examination is required. 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. 5. A character investigation will be conducted on applicants selected for employment. The purpose of such an investigation is to secure evidence of the candidate's honesty - integrity - general character - and loyalty to the U.S. Government. 6. 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). 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/.
Duties
- Duties to include but not limited to: Conducts investigations with a nexus to VA operations - including prisoner transport - patient search and recovery - life-saving efforts - disaster response and recovery - and asset protection during transit
- Investigations may involve felony crimes - theft of federal or personal property - and violations of laws concerning controlled property
- The officer analyzes facts - develops leads - and applies investigative techniques to resolve cases - often under conditions where guidelines are incomplete or require adaptation
- Investigations involve searching crime scenes for clues - interviewing witnesses - following leads - analyzing and evaluating evidence - locating suspects - and making arrests Identifies and preserves evidence - prepares comprehensive incident reports - and testifies in court to support enforcement actions
- Investigations may involve felony crimes - theft of federal or personal property - and violations of laws concerning controlled property Responds to active threats and dangerous situations - making independent decisions to preserve life and property - establishes initial command and control during emergencies using NIMS and ICS protocols
- Coordinates evacuations - perimeters - and emergency vehicle routes
- Provides Basic Life Support (BLS) and coordinates additional medical response
- Implements disaster response and recovery measures
- Responds to highly dangerous and active crimes in progress and responsible to make independent decisions and take immediate steps to preserve life and property without supervision
- The independent decisions could be lifesaving and often will be made without assistance without any VA supervision
- Use the National Incident Management System and Incident Command System protocols to establish command and control - develop a course of action and contain - mitigate - and recover from an incident
- Protects VA personnel - patients - visitors - and sensitive medical information from unauthorized access or release Performs other duties as assigned
- Work Schedule: 6:00am-6:00pm or 6:00pm-6:00am Position Description Title/PD#: Police Officer/PD11497-A Physical Requirements: The work requires - on a regular and recurring basis - considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as running - frequent climbing of multiple flights of stairs - and carrying items weighing over 50 pounds
- It requires stamina - physical agility - dexterity - and the strength to pursue - apprehend or detain persons who are often uncooperative - assaultive - and/or armed
Salary : $45,409 - $59,031