Physical Security Specialist

Summary THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL CLOSE 11:59pm EST AUGUST 29, 2024 OR UNTIL 75 APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED.

The incumbent serves as a Physical Security Specialist ensuring a safe and secure environment across VHA within various settings, including a variety of jurisdictional environments, such as VHA VISNs, Medical Centers and facilities, Inpatient Clinics and Outpatient Clinics throughout the United States.

This position serves as a vital part of the VA Police Services serving as the face of the VA.

Responsibilities Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:

Providing recommendations in the development, and periodic updating of local VA law enforcement and security policy for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Assists in ensuring compliance with law enforcement policies designed to ensure the preservation of the public peace, the protection of life and property, the prevention of crime, the arrest and prosecution of violators of law, and the proper enforcement of all laws, regulations, directives, and administrative issuances related to the VHA and its associated facilities.

Auditing, analyzing, and developing reports and action plans related to key program indicators published by the, Office of Security & Law Enforcement, Office of Inspector General, Government Accountability Office, and any other agencies conducting audits of the VHA's law enforcement and security programs.

Serving as the local facility lead for the development of law enforcement and security policy.

Assisting the Security Officer with developing action plans related to the findings, and monitors time sensitive progress to mitigating vulnerabilities assessed during program reviews.

Participating in short- and long-range strategic planning designed to incorporate improvements and lessons learned into program operations. Is a key participant in the Office of Emergency Management's Emergency Management Capabilities Assessment Program (EMCAP).

Serving as the local liaison with the Office of Inspector General, Government Accountability Office, Police Program Inspections and any other agencies conducting audits of the VHA's law enforcement and security programs.

Participating in work groups, committees and task forces in the research, collection and reporting of compliance data.

Developing, writing, revising, and managing the Police Service catalog of policies and forms to meet accreditation standards; and maintains accreditation files.

Auditing work practices, providing guidance and recommendations, and presents findings and corrective actions.

Planning, designing, and implementing an overall risk management process for the VA Police organization, including analysis of the financial impact when risks occur.

Employing advanced qualitative and quantitative techniques to improve the efficiency of internal administrative operations, organizations, or management.

Coordinating quality assurance program across the VISN by coordinating efforts or functions that impact multiple Medical Centers and sites of care.

Participating and leading in community of practice (COP) across Medical Centers and VISNs with VHA Police Services. Developing and leading implementation of VISN-wide initiatives on behalf of VHA Police Services and VISN Leadership.

Directs a variety of policing and law enforcement assignment and projects that are performed on VA Departmental property:
including any properties owned, leased, or licensed when consistent with Federal laws, regulation, VA policy and operational guidance.

Responds to highly dangerous and active crimes in progress and makes independent decisions to take/direct/coordinate immediate steps to preserve life and property.

Carries firearms and other VA approved weapons, intervenes when necessary to deescalate situations and determines when and how much force must be applied.

Advises individuals of their (Miranda, Weingarten, Garrity, etc.) rights, and protects the constitutional and civil rights of person. Performs other 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:
Monday - Friday, 8am - 4pm. Includes possible weekends and/or compressed tours depending on the needs of the service.

Compressed/Flexible:
To be determined by service

Position Description/PD#:
Physical Security Specialist/PD99797S Functional Statement #: PD99797S Relocation/

Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S.

Citizen to apply for this job All 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. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 08/29/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement:

Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.

If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.

In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

Specialized Experience:

You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to:

Develops various physical security-related documents, spreadsheets, graphs, reports and presentations using various automated systems and software packages, including the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) System, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint to enter, access and retrieve information in the medical center computer system.

Researches and recommends appropriate courses of action to correct physical and industrial security issues that impact an assigned area.

Coordinates physical security program across the VISN by coordinating efforts or functions that impact multiple Medical Centers and sites of care.

Collects information and prepares reports on the facilities compliance with VA operations, regulations Physical Security and Physical Access Control Systems (PACs).

Conducts full investigations over prolonged periods. Questions and takes statements from victims, witnesses, and complainants, and clarifies conflicting statements and interrogates suspects. Applies all correct rules for search and seizure and obtains search arrest warrants. Seeks, detects, and protects all evidence, victims, and witnesses.

OR, Education:
Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.
D.

or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related.

OR, Combination:
Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an appropriate combination of specialized experience and education.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

Computer Skills Criminal Law Internal Controls/Integrity Interpersonal Skills Personnel Security and Safety Security 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

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). POLICE OFFICER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT 1.

New VA Police Officers are required to attend an 8-10 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. 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.3.

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.4. 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.5.

As a condition of employment, applicant 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)(91).

LAUTENBERG AMENDMENT:
Authorizes the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(g Candidates who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are not qualified for this position. Candidates under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of such an offense. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment (Title 18, U.S.C.

, and Section Physical Requirements:

The work requires full use of extremities, normal hearing, and vision to conduct on-site security surveys, inspections, and assessments.

The duties require prolonged standing, walking, crouching, bending, lifting, reaching, pushing, stooping, and climbing stairs and ladders indoors and outdoors.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note:
Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.

You can verify your education here:
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

For further information, visit:
Additional Information Pursuant to VHA Directive , VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job-related information, which may include, but not limited to responses to the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; completion of a work sample; and/or contact for a Performance Based Interview (PBI).

For more information about PBI, please visit:
you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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