Police Officer

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Sioux Falls, SD seeks a Police Officer to perform a full range of duties including law enforcement, security operations, patrols, and coordination with local authorities on VA property.

The role requires compliance with firearm, driving, and medical examination standards, plus readiness to work rotating 12-hour shifts and weekends to ensure safety and security for Veterans and staff.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of laws and regulations relevant to federal police work.
• Experience in law enforcement operations and procedures.
• Ability to interview witnesses and secure crime scenes.
• Ability to respond to emergencies and prepare clear reports.
• Patrol duties and traffic control experience.

Responsibilities

• Protects the civil rights of all individuals on VA controlled property.
• Prevents, detects and investigates crimes.
• Patrols assigned areas on foot or by motor vehicle.
• Subdues persons causing disturbance or threats.
• Follows procedures concerning search and seizure of evidence and contraband.
• Obtains search and arrest warrants and arrests violators.
• Provides basic first aid and CPR as needed.
• Prepares shift activity reports.
• Performs traffic control.
• Assists citizens in emergency situations.
• Willing to rotate shifts including weekends and extended hours.

Skills

Knowledge of laws and regulations

Law enforcement operations

Interviewing witnesses

Crime scene security

Emergency response

Report writing

Patrol duties

Job description

Summary

This position will serve as a Police Officer at the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System in Sioux Falls, SD. 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 - 10/28/2026. 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. Experience as a security guard or corrections officer is generally not qualifying. 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/. 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. 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).

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: 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
• and Assists citizens in emergency situations
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: 12 hour shifts - 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
• 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 The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Physical Requirements

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. You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Work Conditions

WORK CONDITIONS: The work involves both moderate and high risks and possible endangerment of life or serious injury that requires the exercise of safety precautions and use of personal protective equipment. The work is performed in settings in which there is regular and recurring exposure to moderate to severe discomforts and unpleasantness - such as high temperatures in confined spaces - high temperatures due to mandatory protective personal equipment - or adverse weather conditions during extended periods of traffic and patrol duties. The work involves moderate risk requiring exercise of safety precautions when working around hazardous materials such as toxic gases - explosives - infectious biological materials - and others that pose a moderate risk of exposure.