Police Officer

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Police Service seeks a Police Officer to support nationwide security, preparedness, and law enforcement operations focused on protective and investigative services at VA Healthcare System.

This role requires rigorous training, firearms qualification, medical and psychological assessments, and flexibility for rotating shifts and potential relocation within VA facilities.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience in law enforcement operations at or above GS-5 level; knowledge of laws and regulations governing police work.
• Experience maintaining order, protecting life and property; interviewing witnesses; securing crime scenes; responding to emergencies.
• Must have a valid driver's license; able to pass medical, psychological, and fitness examinations and a character investigation.

Responsibilities

• Perform police duties following rules and procedures for law enforcement, security, and safety.
• Conduct investigations to detect and apprehend violators; develop case information.
• Coordinate with prosecutors for arrests and case development; protect civil rights on VA property.
• Patrol assigned areas on foot or by vehicle; manage traffic control and crowd regulation.
• Provide first aid/CPR; prepare daily activity reports; support emergency response.

Skills

Law enforcement

Investigations

Patrol

Job description

Summary

This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Office of Operations - Security and Preparedness (OSP) - Police Service and is responsible for VAs nationwide security - preparedness - and law enforcement operations with primary focus on protective and investigative services at VA Healthcare System.

This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Office of Operations - Security and Preparedness (OSP) - Police Service and is responsible for VAs nationwide security - preparedness - and law enforcement operations with primary focus on protective and investigative services at VA Healthcare System.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 11/11/2026. To meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-6 position - you must have at least one (1) full year of 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. At this level - police work must have included investigative work - patrolling assigned area(s) to enforce laws and ordinances - regulate traffic - control crowds - prevent crimes and/or arrest violators. 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. 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. 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). ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: 1. New VA Police Officers are required to attend an 8-week course at the VA Law Enforcement Training Center in Little Rock - Arkansas. Satisfactory completion of this course is a condition of continued employment. 2. Designated Drug-Testing Position: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to an appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received. 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

• 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
• Conducts long and short term investigations to detect and apprehend individuals for violating laws
• Analyzes facts to identify suspects and develop case information
• Coordinates with U.S. and other prosecuting attorneys on case development to perform arrests and prosecutions
• Full range of investigative work that is typical of Detectives
• Protects the civil rights of all individuals on VA controlled property
• Prevents - detect and investigate crimes
• Patrols assigned areas on foot or by motor vehicle
• Subdues persons causing disturbance or who threaten harm to themselves or others
• Follows rules/procedures concerning search and seizure of evidence and contraband
• Obtains search and arrest warrants
• Arrests violators
• Provides basic first aid and CPR prior to arrival of emergency medical personnel
• Prepares report of activities and events that occurred during shift
• Performs traffic control
• Assists citizens in emergency situations
• and Performs other related duties as assigned
• Designated Drug-Testing Position: 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
• Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received
• Work Schedule: Rotating shifts based on the needs of Police Services
• Candidates must be willing to work weekends - irregular work hours and extended hours if determined by the needs of the service
• Furthermore - candidates must be willing to be placed - detailed - or temporarily assigned to other related services and/or locations - if necessary
• Physical Conditions: 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 and loud noise
• Also requires moderate to arduous physical exertion and possible exposure to personal danger - that may include apprehending and physically restraining subjects
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Police Officer/PD99268S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized