Police Officer (Lateral Transfer)

U.S. Legislative Branch; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in law enforcement is seeking dedicated individuals to join their ranks. This role involves safeguarding the integrity of Congress, requiring candidates to navigate a rigorous hiring process that includes background checks, psychological evaluations, and medical assessments. Ideal candidates will possess law enforcement experience and a commitment to upholding the law in a secure environment. With a focus on integrity and thoroughness, this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the safety of the legislative process and engage in a fulfilling career that plays a crucial role in national security. If you are passionate about law enforcement and public service, this is the opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Must have law enforcement experience and complete required training.
• Candidates must pass background checks and psychological evaluations.

Responsibilities

• Safeguarding Congress and conducting thorough background investigations.
• Managing the hiring process and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

Skills

Law Enforcement Experience

Background Investigation Management

Psychological Assessment

Medical Examination Procedures

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Peace Officer Background Investigation Tracking System (POBITS)

Job description

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) safeguards the Congress, Members of Congress, employees, visitors, and Congressional buildings and grounds from crime, disruption, and terrorism. The USCP protects and secures Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, secure, and open environment.

Duties

Your completed application and required documents must be submitted by the closing date of this Vacancy Announcement to receive further consideration. Your online application and answers to the attached assessment questionnaire will be reviewed and evaluated. As a result of this initial review, qualified applicants will be required to submit additional biographical information and supporting documents. A list of these documents will be provided to you during the selection process. For further consideration, qualified candidates will be required to submit an Authorization for Release form and additional information via a Personal History Statement (PHS) for further pre-employment screening. The information provided, along with a review of a candidate's credit, criminal history, and their driving record, will be reviewed. The Peace Officer Background Investigation Tracking System (POBITS) is an automated system used by investigators to efficiently manage background investigations. Candidates will receive an e-mail from the POBITS system, where they will be instructed to provide their Personal History Statement (PHS). Initial Assessment Phase Following the pre-employment screening, candidates may be invited to participate in the Initial Assessment Phase of the USCP hiring process, all facets of which will be conducted virtually at a location of their choice. This phase consists of an Orientation. It provides the applicant with an overview of the USCP and its hiring process.

Qualifications

Must have completed any of the following: FLETC UPTP; FLETA accredited military or other equivalent police training program; or CBP training programs (USBPI or CBPOPT). Certificate must be included with application.

Must be current Law Enforcement and possess 9 months of law enforcement experience post training at time of application. Must possess 52 weeks of law enforcement experience at time of appointment.

Must be current law enforcement employed outside of USCP.

Examination Phase

The Examination Phase consists of psychological, medical, and polygraph examinations. This will be a candidate’s first required visit to our office in Washington, D.C. during the hiring process. Efforts will be made to schedule these examinations consecutively to eliminate return visits to complete the examinations.

1. Psychological – Candidates complete a battery of psychological assessments and a clinical interview. The psychological examination will last approximately four to six hours. Candidates are encouraged to be well-rested and eat prior to the examination. The psychological exam will occur online and require the use of a desktop or laptop computer, camera, and microphone.
2. Medical - The medical examination will determine if a candidate is medically qualified to perform the functional requirements of the job. Candidates will be required to fast (abstain from food) prior to the medical examination.
3. Polygraph – The polygraph examination is used to confirm information obtained through the selection process.

Background Investigation

The final phase of the selection process requires candidates to undergo a full background investigation that will include a thorough review and verification of the candidate's employment history, employer, residential, and personal references, in-depth criminal and credit history, and academic records.

Must be a United States citizen.
Must meet position age requirements.
Must possess and maintain a valid U.S. driver's license.
Must show evidence of responsible driving in the last one year.
Male applicants must be registered for Selective Service.
Travel for hiring assessments and training is at applicant's expense.
Must successfully complete a full field background investigation.
Polygraph, medical assessment, criminal, credit, and tax check required.
Must successfully complete all required training.
Must successfully complete a probationary period.
Must have completed any of the following: FLETC UPTP; FLETA accredited military or other equivalent police training program; or CBP training programs (USBPI or CBPOPT). Certificate must be attached to the application.
Must be in a full and unrestricted duty status at the time of application and at the time of appointment.

Candidates must meet the following requirements to be minimally qualified for this position:

1. U.S. Citizenship--Only United States Citizens will receive consideration. Qualified applicants will be required to provide proof of citizenship early in the selection process. Naturalized citizens must be able to participate and complete a holistic and verifiable background investigation of their personal and professional background.
2. Age Requirements– Sworn officer positions with the USCP are subject to the mandatory retirement provisions of the Capitol Police Retirement Act, which requires an officer to separate/retire from the USCP by age 57, but as the result of current critical mission requirement, the age has been increased to 59. Applicants must be at least 21 years old at time of appointment and ordinarily not older than 37. However, the maximum entry age has been increased to 39 years of age at the time of appointment (or 40 years of age if the individual turns 40 in the same month of their initial appointment), with required mandatory retirement after 20 years of Federal law enforcement service (e.g., employed at 39 years of age and retire at 59 years of age).
3. Education-- High School diploma or GED certificate is required.
4. Valid Driver's License-- Applicants must possess a valid U.S. driver's license that has not been revoked or under suspension for the past one (1) year.
5. Criminal History Check-- Must successfully pass a comprehensive criminal history check of the past 10 years.
6. Credit Check-- Must successfully pass a credit check. Applicants must not be in default or delinquent on any Federal guaranteed student loans.
7. Selective Service Registration-- Male applicants must provide verification of registration with the Selective Service System or must verify exemption from the Selective Service System registration because of age or military status. Female applicants are exempt from Selective Service System registration.
8. Fingerprint Check-- Applicants' fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a check of the criminal history record.
9. Background Investigation-- Must successfully complete all components of the USCP full field background investigation.

There are few automatic grounds for rejection in the USCP background investigation process. Issues of misconduct, such as illegal drug use, arrests, or convictions may not be automatically disqualifying. However, deliberate misstatements, omissions, or intentionally withholding required information at any phase of the hiring process will result in a candidate's disqualification regardless of the nature or reason for the misstatement or omission. The primary reason candidates fail a background investigation is due to deliberately withholding or omitting material facts. Providing false and/or misleading information may be grounds for removal from the application and selection process.