Private (Police Officer)

U.S. Department of the Interior; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of the Interior seeks a Police Officer to join the United States Park Police. This role entails maintaining law enforcement and safeguarding national treasures within national parks. Candidates must meet age and qualifying criteria and may undergo further assessments including written and physical tests.

Qualifications

• At least two years of progressively responsible experience in law enforcement or related fields.
• Must have reached the age of 21 but not 37 by the application deadline.

Responsibilities

• Support and further the goals of the Department and National Park Service.
• Provide quality law enforcement and safeguard lives.
• Preserve natural and cultural resources.

Education

Completion of 60 college credits/2 years of higher education

Job description

The mission of the United States Park Police is to support and further the goals of the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service by providing quality law enforcement, safeguarding lives, protecting our national treasures and symbols of democracy, and preserving the natural and cultural resources entrusted to us.

This is an open-continuous announcement. Please see "Next Steps" for more information.

Duties

The major duties of the Police Officer include, but are not limited to, the following:

Requirements

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement—12/17/2025—unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit, your resume MUST clearly indicate the duties and responsibilities for each position, including start and end dates (month/year), and reflect full and/or part-time hours worked. For military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient.

Applicants must have reached their 21st birthday but not have reached their 37th birthday by the application deadline. Exceptions include prior Federal service sufficient to complete 20 years of service before age 57, or being a qualified veterans' preference eligible.

To qualify at the SP-01 grade level, you must possess all of the following minimum qualifications by the close of the announcement:

• Experience: At least two years of progressively responsible experience demonstrating the ability to learn and apply complex regulations and laws. Examples include police work, military police, security, law enforcement in parks or natural resources, or criminal investigations. Include hours per week worked.
• OR Education: Completion of 60 college credits/2 years of higher education. Include transcripts.
• OR a combination of education and experience. Include transcripts.

Volunteer experience, including unpaid work through programs like Peace Corps or AmeriCorps, is also credited.

After qualification determination, candidates may undergo additional assessments:

• Written Examination: Must score 70% or better on a standardized test.
• Physical Readiness Test (PRT): Includes push-ups, agility run, and 1.5-mile run, each with a 70% pass rate.
• Forms Screening Review and Background Investigation: In-person interview with submission of required documents.
• Qualification Review Panel: In-person interview with scenario questions, scoring 70% or better.
• Medical Review: Conducted by a physician; passing required.
• Drug screening: Must pass prior to hire.

Note: Assessments may be held in Washington, DC, San Francisco, CA, or New York, NY, with travel at the applicant's expense. It is the applicant's responsibility to arrive on time and report any accommodation needs during testing.

False statements or fraud may result in legal penalties or removal from consideration.