Supervisory Law Enforcement Specialist

About the role

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.

What you will do

• 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

• 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 (***).
• 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.

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: ***

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: ***

How you will be evaluated

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.

Documents you must provide

• Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
• You will not be contacted for additional information.
• Cover Letter Other (1) Performance Appraisal Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee An SF-50 showing 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 Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
• Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, preference veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

If initial application submission is updated and resubmitted with a new resume, only the most current resume will be reviewed for consideration. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview.

All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical reasons.

Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties.

VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

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 ***

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.