Supervisory Law Enforcement Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Washington, DC

13h • Onsite

About The Position

This position is within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness, Field Operations, VA Police Service. VA Police provides federal law-enforcement, protective, investigative, emergency-response, and public-safety services at VA facilities and properties. The role provides second-level supervision and operational direction through subordinate first-level Supervisory Police Officers, with responsibility for law-enforcement operations, complex investigations, critical incidents, quality assurance, personnel management, and interagency coordination.

The incumbent serves as a senior operational and technical law-enforcement resource, overseeing complex investigations and enforcement actions and resolving technical disagreements among subordinate supervisors. During significant incidents, the incumbent applies National Incident Management System and Incident Command System principles to direct command and control, set objectives, coordinate resources, manage risk, and support public and officer safety and continuity of operations.

The position monitors legal, policy, operational, and policing developments; conducts or directs quality assurance; and collaborates with police leadership, legal counsel, prosecutors, facility officials, and other stakeholders on procedures and operational plans. It exercises delegated supervisory and managerial authorities, including recommendations or decisions concerning personnel, staffing, scheduling, overtime, leave, training, recognition, and other actions. The role also maintains relationships with law-enforcement and public-safety organizations and represents the police organization in operational forums.

The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is not a virtual position. The position may require travel of 25% or more and may be designated essential personnel, including during continuity-of-operations events. The incumbent exercises law-enforcement authority under Title 38 U.S.C. §§ 901 and 902, carries firearms, and must maintain firearms proficiency. The position includes substantial supervisory and administrative work but requires readiness for strenuous police duties, including running, climbing, prolonged standing, lifting or carrying more than 50 pounds, and pursuing or restraining resistant individuals. A pre-employment medical examination and physical-fitness determination are required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• For current or former federal employees subject to the time-in-grade requirement, 52 weeks at GS-9 for a GS-11 position by the announcement closing date.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-9, such as leading and coordinating complex law-enforcement operations; supervising personnel; evaluating performance; ensuring policy compliance; developing operational plans; managing critical incidents; assessing staffing and resources; implementing corrective actions; communicating with executive leadership and external stakeholders; exercising judgment and accountability; improving operational efficiency; or supporting readiness in a complex law-enforcement environment.
• Alternatively, a Ph.D. or equivalent graduate degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a related physical-security field, or a related LL.M.
• Alternatively, a combination of qualifying specialized experience and education beyond the stated requirements.
• Qualifying experience must be documented in the resume with job title, duties, dates, and hours worked per week. Security guard or corrections officer experience is generally not qualifying.
• Must meet established experience, basic training, and in-service training requirements for exercising police powers; successfully complete required VA Police Officer Standardized Training, the Field Training and Evaluation Program, other in-service requirements, and weapons qualifications.
• Must obtain and maintain all LETC instructor certifications.
• Must pass required pre-appointment urinalysis; the position is subject to random drug testing.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment medical examination and be found physically fit by an authorized government physician; periodic incumbent examinations may also apply.
• Must be able to carry a firearm and maintain firearm proficiency; persons convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence are ineligible under the Lautenberg Amendment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid automobile driver's license and be available for frequent travel.
• Must be able to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties when operationally necessary, including protecting citizens, taking suspects into custody, and responding with physical agility and legally sufficient decision-making.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Must comply with applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must complete a background/security investigation and the online onboarding process; acceptable identification is required.
• Participation in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.

Nice To Haves

• Experience overseeing daily police operations, personnel deployment, patrol activities, emergency response, incident management, and operational readiness.
• Experience implementing law-enforcement policies, conducting operational assessments, monitoring performance standards, and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.
• Experience coordinating with executive leadership, managing critical incidents, addressing operational deficiencies, and developing strategies to improve organizational effectiveness, accountability, and public safety.

Responsibilities

• Direct, coordinate, and evaluate law-enforcement operations through subordinate first-level Supervisory Police Officers.
• Ensure subordinate supervisors consistently apply law, policy, procedures, and professional policing standards.
• Use incident and case reviews, inspections, operational data, crime trends, after-action findings, and training results to improve operations, investigative quality, officer safety, service delivery, accountability, and continuity of operations.
• Provide senior operational and technical guidance on complex matters involving federal police authority.
• Direct or provide senior supervisory oversight of complex, sensitive, serious, high-risk, or multi-jurisdictional investigations and enforcement actions.
• Resolve technical disagreements among subordinate supervisors about enforcement authority, investigative methods, evidence, case disposition, operational tactics, and policy application.
• Provide second-level command and supervisory direction during significant incidents and emergencies.
• Apply NIMS and ICS principles to establish or transition command and control, set objectives, assign responsibilities, integrate resources, establish perimeters and access controls, coordinate protective actions, and synchronize police activity with other agencies.
• Assess evolving risks and direct subordinate supervisors on deployment, tactical posture, specialized resources, scene integrity, evidence preservation, safety, and continuity of operations.
• Monitor changes in laws, court decisions, legal precedent, VA law-enforcement authority, directives, policies, technology, policing practices, and threat information.
• Conduct or direct second-level quality assurance of police operations and work products.
• Collaborate with police leadership, peer supervisors, counsel, prosecutors, facility officials, and stakeholders to develop or refine procedures and operational plans.
• Exercise delegated supervisory and managerial authorities over subordinate supervisors and employees, making decisions on work problems presented by them.
• Participate in or make recommendations concerning selections, promotions, reassignments, recognition, awards, training, staffing, scheduling, overtime, leave, and other personnel actions within delegated authority.
• Identify and address operational bottlenecks, service-delivery barriers, and systemic deficiencies.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with law-enforcement, public-safety, emergency-management, prosecutorial, judicial, legal, and VA organizations and officials.
• Represent the assigned police organization at operational meetings, case conferences, incident coordination, after-action reviews, and other forums.
• Complete required VA Police training, field training, in-service training, instructor certifications, and weapons qualifications.
• Carry firearms while performing duties and maintain firearm proficiency.
• Maintain a valid driver's license and be available for frequent travel.

Benefits

• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is offered; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Prior work or military service may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree