The incumbent serves as a Security Specialist - Uniform Compliance Officer 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, Outpatient Clinics, and domiciliaries. This position is a vital part of the VA Police Services often serving as the face of the VA and as the first person a Veteran or visitor encounters when entering a VA facility.

Duties

The incumbent provides security and assistance to Veterans, patients, employees, contractors, volunteers, affiliates, visitors, and others who frequent VA facilities daily. The incumbent is expected to empathize, engage, and communicate with all individuals they encounter to ensure a positive outcome and the safety of the facility and all its occupants. This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Police Service (PS). 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. 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. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Security Specialist/PD99729S Functional Statement #: PD99729S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. 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.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/08/2023. 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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. 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. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: To qualify for this position at the GS-9 level, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience : You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Security Specialist - Uniform Compliance Officer. Qualifying specialized experience includes: Experience in ensuring compliance with law enforcement policies designed to ensure the preservation of the public peace, the protection of life and property, and the prevention of crime; Skilled in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques in implementing policy and program requirements; Analyzing data to detect unsatisfactory trends or weaknesses in the law enforcement and security program; Assists in developing policy based on regulatory requirements and national program guidance; and Empathizes, engages, and communicates with all individuals encounter to ensure a positive outcome and the safety of the facility and all its occupants. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience as described above, to meet the total experience requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. To qualify for this position at the GS-11 level, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Security Specialist - Uniform Compliance Officer. ~OR~ Education: Successfully completed three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, LL.M., or equivalent doctoral degree in the related field of the position to be filled. The education portion must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college, or university. ~OR~ Combination: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the first 2 years) and specialized experience as described above to meet total experience requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position.NOTE: One (1) full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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. If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your valid state-issued driver's license. 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 You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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/.

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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

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.

Contacts

• Address Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center 3001 Green Bay Road North Chicago, IL 60064 US
• Name: Demecio Valdez
• Email: [email protected]