You will serve as a criminal investigator in the Police Services at VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, American Lake Division, Tacoma, Washington.

Duties

Duties include but not limited to: Plans and conducts investigations relating to alleged or suspected violations of criminal laws by utilizing investigative techniques and applying the laws of evidence, rules of criminal procedures, and precedent court decisions concerning criminal activities. Investigates crimes which cannot be resolved through the initial efforts of the reporting officer's preliminary investigation or are beyond the scope of a Detective's responsibility. Investigates complaints and tips, develop leads, obtain physical evidence, seek out and question witnesses and suspects, take testimony, and arrest offenders. Participates in surveillance activities that are coordinated by an OIG and/or other federal agency's senior investigator to ensure investigator support and protection. Acts as liaison officer and facilitates the investigations of other Federal, State, and local law enforcement personnel involved in the investigation and disposition of major crimes. Prepares and reviews reports, make recommendations, and prepare cases for prosecution. This position is required to attend an 8 - 10-week POST course at the VA Law Enforcement Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas {if not already completed). Satisfactory completion of this course is a condition of continued employment. Must successfully attend and complete the FLETC Law Enforcement Criminal Investigator Training Program {FLETC CITP). Customer Service Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates with and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Addresses conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Age-Specific Competency Possesses knowledge of age-specific skills for adults (age18- 64) and older adults (age 65+). Involves customers in decision making and planning concerning his/her care. Adapts communication to suit customers and age group needs to ensure understanding. Provides appropriate assistance to unique age groups, as well as to family, friends, or others. Fire and Safety Complies with all safety/fire prevention rules/regulations, using protective equipment when required and provided. Promptly reports all accidents and notifies the supervisor of unsafe/unhealthful conditions in the workplace. Attends scheduled training sessions and participates in facility or service level safety promotions as directed by the supervisor. Maintains a knowledge of fire drill procedures and emergency plans for the work area, including the location of all emergency fire equipment. Understands the facility disaster plan and coordinates section disaster drills. Work Schedule: Tours may vary to include 12 hour, tour of duty, depending upon the needs of the service. Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized depending on agency needs. Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Criminal Investigator/PD99782S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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)(91)). 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 1001).

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 11/22/2024. 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-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. 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: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: conducting investigations of complaints, tips, or leads, obtaining physical evidence, testimony; researching and utilizing applicable federal guidelines to investigate crimes; and analyzing raw investigative data and converting it comprehensive written reports. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, in a field related to Criminal Investigation that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (such as law enforcement or criminal justice). NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) 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 equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: ArrestCriminal InvestigationCriminal LawForensics 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, such as long periods of standing, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, crawling, and similar activities. Performance of work may take place in attics, crawlspaces, walls, ceilings, and other limited access spaces, or in rough terrain. The work may require some common characteristics and abilities of physical agility and dexterity to work in confined spaces and to move or lift moderately heavy objects. Work Environment: The work environment involves frequent exposure to moderate risk situations, some discomforts, unpleasant working conditions, and adverse weather conditions e.g. hot, cold, dry and wet. Safety or security precautions sometimes are necessary, and the position may have to use appropriate clothing or gear. May be required to work long and irregular hours, on weekends, holidays, or at night, and change shifts and duty hours to conduct extensive criminal investigations. Environmental Safety: Maintains a knowledge of environmental safety laws, rules, and policies to identify unsafe or unsanitary conditions that may impose danger to self, customers, employees or property. Understands processes to follow through to abate and/or minimize the impending hazard. Possesses knowledge of and skills to use a variety of systems, procedures, and processes appropriate to the work area, which include Green Environmental Management System (GEMS); emergency fire response procedures; Chemical Hygiene or Hazard Communication processes; hazard recognition and reporting; infection control/blood-borne pathogens/standard precautions; use and maintenance of personal protective equipment; equipment operations and maintenance; and other safety and sanitation standards. 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

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: 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Stephenie Merrill
• Phone: 509-525-5200 X26794
• Email: [email protected]