VA Police Officer-Northhampton, MA VA

Job Title: POLICE OFFICER
Department: Department Of Veterans Affairs
Agency: Veterans Health Administration
Job Announcement Number: OG-11-CPo-525809

SALARY RANGE:
$34,514.00 - $50,011.00 /year
OPEN PERIOD:
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 to Wednesday, September 07, 2011
SERIES & GRADE:
GS-0083-05/06
POSITION INFORMATION:
Full Time Career/Career Conditional
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
06
DUTY LOCATIONS:
1 vacancy - Northampton, MA
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
United States Citizens

JOB SUMMARY:
Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 525809 (Include on all documents)


To fulfill President Lincoln's promise - "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Every job at the VA impacts the Veterans that we serve. You can be part of that team, helping to make sure that our Veterans receive the top-quality care they deserve.

As a Police Officer, you'll protect property and persons on VA property. This includes protecting the civil rights of all individuals while on federally owned property and preserving the peaceful environment needed for successful medical treatment programs.

VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities.

For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to http://www.vacareers.va.gov/.



KEY REQUIREMENTS:
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
Designated and/or random drug testing may be required.
Subject to a background/suitability investigation.


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Duties
Additional Duty Location Info:

1 vacancy - Northampton, MA


1 vacancy - Northampton, MA.

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-06. At the GS-05 grade level, the incumbent performs assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. The incumbent will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-06. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. Promotion is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.
Protecting property and persons on VA property and enforcing the appropriate criminal codes and regulations
Assisting patients, visitors, and employees who require direction and/or physical assistance
Issuing traffic citations and federal violation notices when necessary
Responding to crowd and riot control, bomb threats, and search requests
Questioning witnesses and principals in crimes reported on VA property
Arresting persons for offenses committed on VA property and transferring them to the appropriate authorities for detention
Working and patrolling alone and without supervision in the outlying grounds and parking lots areas
Directing and assisting persons to safety areas during fire, storm, or other emergencies and taking prompt action to evacuate persons from dangerous areas
Performing related duties as required.
Work schedule: This position involves a rotating schedule with various shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

***Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed***



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Qualifications and Evaluations
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
REQUIRES: A valid driver’s license.

AND

GS-05 EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT: One (1) year of specialized experience in active police work that that provided 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. Creditable specialized experience must have been equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in Federal service, and may have been gained in work on a police force; through service as a military police officer; in work providing visitor protection and law enforcement in parks, forests, or other natural resource or recreational environments; in performing criminal investigative duties; or in other work that provided the required knowledge and skills. Your experience must be detailed in your resume to receive full credit.

OR

GS-05 SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: A bachelor's degree or successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Police Science or a comparable degree program related to the work of the position may be substituted for the experience required at the GS-05 level. One year of undergraduate education is equivalent to 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours, unless otherwise specified by the school. Successful completion of a Federal, State, county, or municipal police academy or comparable training course that included at least 40 classroom hours of instruction in police department procedures and methods, and local law and regulations, may be substituted for a maximum of 3 months of specialized experience. If you are using education to qualify, transcripts are requested.

OR

GS-05 COMBINATION: An equivalent combination of specialized experience and post high school education as described that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position is fully qualifying at the GS-05 level. For the GS-05, only education in excess of 60 semester hours may be used to qualify. To qualify by a combination, the total qualifying experience will be calculated as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; and the education will be calculated as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. These two percentages will be added, and the total percentages must equal at least 100 percent. If you qualify by a combination, your experience must be documented and transcripts are requested.
GS-06 EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT: One (1) year of specialized experience in active police work that that provided 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. Creditable specialized experience must have been equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in Federal service, and may have been gained in work on a police force; through service as a military police officer; in work providing visitor protection and law enforcement in parks, forests, or other natural resource or recreational environments; in performing criminal investigative duties; or in other work that provided the required knowledge and skills. Examples of experience include: conducting foot, bike, and vehicle patrols; identifying and arresting violators; taking statements from witnesses; writing a variety of reports; and knowledge of court procedures. Your experience must be detailed in your resume to receive full credit.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR POLICE OFFICER POSITION:

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.
VA Police Officers must be able to achieve and maintain mandatory firearm qualification/certification.
New VA Police Officers are required to attend an 8-week course at the VA Law Enforcement Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas within 90 days of entry on duty.
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.
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.
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.
You will be rated on the following Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other characteristics (KSAOs) as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

· Ability to interpret and apply law enforcement methods and techniques for criminal and civil laws, regulations, and standard operating procedures
· Ability to determine if a crime is about to be committed, is being committed, or already has been committed, and your ability to protect crime scenes
· Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from various backgrounds
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

As part of your application package, you are also requested to submit an OF 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, which includes Certification of Selective Service Registration (January 2001 version or later).

APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. *** 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. ***
Veterans' Preference:

When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) showing all dates of service as well as character of service (honorable, general, etc.). Additionally Veterans with service-connected disability of 10% or more must also submit a copy of their official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying their service-connected disability and/or their receipt of compensation for service-connected disability.

Veterans with service-connected disability of less than 10%, non-service-connected disability, and Purple Heart recipients, as well as those claiming derived preference for a spouse, widow, or widower, or natural mother, should refer to and submit a completed SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans Preference" and required documentation with your application materials.

For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.


HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Applicants will be ranked based on four quality groups, as follows:
Best qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;
Highly qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the requirements of the job;
Well qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job; and
Qualified - applicants possessing experience and/or education that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors.
After the vacancy announcement closes, reviewed applications are evaluated against the questionnaire responses and placed in the appropriate quality group. Qualified veterans will be afforded preference by being placed at the top of the appropriate quality group. Qualifying Veterans with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be placed at the top of the best qualified group. The best qualified group is the first to be referred to the hiring facility for further consideration and possible interview. The remaining groups may be referred based on the number of applicants available.



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Benefits and Other Info

BENEFITS:
Working for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. In addition to traditional "dollars and cents" benefits, we offer a range of benefits to help balance work and life. For more information please visit us at http://www4.va.gov/jobs/job_benefits/benefits.asp.


OTHER INFORMATION:
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp
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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.



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How To Apply

HOW TO APPLY:
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package (see "Required Documents" section below. The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Wednesday, September 07, 2011.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button at the bottom of this screen to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Be sure to upload the required documents before you submit your application. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process. Mailed/e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

Note: To change or update your application, simply reapply through My USAJOBS, before the closing date. To check the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/login.aspx), select Application Status and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.

If you cannot apply online:

1. Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire,
2. Print this 1203FX form to provide your response to the occupational questionnaire http://www.opm.gov./forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf,
3. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with all supporting documents to (478)757-3144. Your 1203FX must be placed on top of all materials being faxed and will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission, and
4. Keep a copy of your fax receipt in case verification is needed.
To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload:

Complete this cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf using the following Vacancy ID 525809. You must use this fax cover sheet in order for your documents to be matched with your online application.
Fax your documents to (478)757-3144.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
The following documents are required:
Résumé
Responses to the Occupational Questionnaire
Veterans Preference documentation such as DD-214 or equivalent, SF-15 and VA Letter, as appropriate
Unofficial college transcript for education used to qualify. (An official college transcript will be required before being hired.)
Use this checklist to ensure you've submitted everything. You will not be contacted for additional information.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
VHA Nationwide DEU
Phone: (501)257-4134
Fax: (478)757-3144
Email: CAVHS.DEU@VA.GOV Agency Information:
VHA DEU Bedford
PLEASE DO NOT MAIL APPLICATIONS
APPLY ONLINE OR FAX ONLY
Thank You, AR 00000
USA
Fax: (478)757-3144

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:
After the vacancy announcement closes and a referral certificate is issued, an electronic notification letter - or e-mail - will be sent to applicants who provide an e-mail address. Otherwise, you will receive a notification letter via the U.S. Postal Service within 2 to 4 weeks.
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Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reliable source tells me NH VA is merging with Worcester VA. Who knows, maybe you'll get hired and work the dirty Woo..

Really? Hmmmm...

That's a little bit strange since Worcester OPC is under Boston Healthcare system, and the Framingham OPC shares some patients with Worcester...

Yep.. Remember, it's the federal government we're talking about here....

Your reliable source is correct. However, there are no assigned units for the Worcester clinic. Not sure how that whole deal will end up playing out...

Put my name in the hat. I heard they only hire veterans though?, we'll see. I have 2 Academies(1 full time) and prior experience as a city cop and 2 years as a Hospital Police Officer so let's see if that has any weight.

They will hire non-vets as well, although a vet will get preference. The merger currently in the works is the Bedford VA into the Boston Healthcare System, which currently includes JP, West Roxbury and Brockton as well as the clinics at North Station, Lowell, and Worcester.

It will, as you'll qualify for the GS-6 grade being prior LE. And to restate, vet status is not a requirement, only a plus.

Just a little inside info - great chief with many squared away officers, and good overall job satisfaction with decent pay and benefits. However, I'm not going to sugarcoat it: Things are wicked slow, call volume is typically non-existent, and the jurisdictional limitations can be frustrating to many. As long as you know what you're getting yourself into though, and you're prepared, it can be a great place to work. On the flipside, when things DO go bad, its not pretty, as all you deal with are prior military, some of whom have more training then 99% of us in LE....

Also, prior municipal academies (unfortunately) won't cover the training requirements for the VA. Every new officer is required to attend the LETC in Little Rock, AR.

Good luck to all of you that apply, PM me with any questions.

I'm not sure how long it's been unmanned. All I do know is that since they merged Central and Western MA systems, they have yet to expand the budget to assign anyone there full-time. Everything seems to be up in the air until the bugs get worked out upstairs with the merger. Hell, for all I know, they may be looking to outsource to private security as a cost-cutting measure. Many of the OPC's are using that method now.

No one manning Worcester? Someone better tell Steve cuz I'm sure he's not showing up in a uni and packing a pistola for nothing...

"On the flipside, when things DO go bad, its not pretty, as all you deal with are prior military, some of whom have more training then 99% of us in LE...."

Ah.....STOP IT!

SHUT UP CLOWN!!!!! You'll only dig yourself in deeper numbnuts. The Worcester OPC has been manned by the same Dude since I used to cover for his vacations from Brockton and West Roxbury back in early 90's. Worcester OPC has ALWAYS been under the operating auspices of the old Brockton/West Roxbury Division, and what later absorbed JP and became the VA Healthcare Boston System. Central and Western Mass systems? Please just start over...

I cant help but to vent a bit on this one...Back in the day I went through the process at NOHO and basically got the job..Chief sat there and told me I was good to go but then put me in front of a "board" of his people..which is fine, whatever..turns out there was one goof head in the group that for whatever reason didn't like me..next thing ya know..."thanks but no thanks"...Really? So one goober of the group is intimidated by ya and the chief gets the override?? AFTER the chief tells you your got the job?!?! WTFEVAA!!! You would think being federal there would be some type of nuance preventing some backwards a__ shhh..like that..in any event, now I push the "star car" in sunny FLA..got all the rep, toys and glory..occassionally put a vet in protective custody and bring em to the local va down here..and of course all the va cops drool over my gig..

Turns out that particular goober has no chance of ever "gettin out" cuz he was tied into some scandal back in the day..Anyhow..for those that interview, don't come across too articulate and confident..evidently this is not a sought after quality to guard a hospital.

Or maybe you just came off as a cocky asshole like you have in this forum. It's sad that you think so little of your brother officers that did nothing to you.

Grow the fuck up !

MPD61, not sure where that hostility came from, all I'm passing on is what we've been told. I understand that things have been stagnate for a while, and granted the federal system is slow as hell, but things are changing.

That's from the boss, so I can't make it up. Hell we already have the nice shiny lit up sign out front...

And for anyone that reads this thread that's looking to apply, we NEED good officers. Ignore all this drama, come to the interview with an open mind, and don't let other people's opinions or past experiences ruin yours. The job is all what you make of it, just like anything else.

Just an honest question: Do you see yourself as being articulate? From what I read, I don't think that was your problem.

Confident, yes - hell, I'd say over-confident. And trashing a department that previously turned you down tells me all I need to know about your character and maturity. Let me know what happens when you run into someone bigger and badder then you with that attitude, although I'm sure your "star car" will keep you safe.

People like you are the reason why I question how I will ever make it 30 years on the job without going insane...

Oh geez. Here we go.

WTF is a star car??

View attachment 2878

It's slang for a Sheriffs Office car in Florida. City cops wear shields and the Deputy's/Sheriffs who cover all the unincorporated areas/smaller towns wear stars. I don't know why he feels so entitled and ragging on the VA. I once wore a shield in Florida and respect the work the VA does. Guess he's just bitter he didn't get selected...and I don't know who would "drool over your gig" Redbull, ...Levy County Florida is in the middle of redneck nowhere Florida. Go spend some time with that Star Car in South Florida.