Supervisory Security Specialist

Summary The position is organizationally known as the Assistant Chief of Police and reports to the Chief of Police. The position has delegated authority and responsibility to assist the Chief in managing and directing Police operations with a Healthcare System with multiple facilities. Learn more about this agency Duties Duties include, but are not limited to: Physical Security Assists in the development of local policies and implements corrective procedures to alleviate identified physical security problems, taking into consideration all internal and external factors when making decisions or recommendations concerning law enforcement and physical security to the VHA Facility Director. Assists in the development of physical security plans and objectives, and for collaborating with the Chief to produce Medical Center policies that address the full scope of the facility's law enforcement and security program. Actively participates in major and minor construction projects during all phases of the project (design, review, construction, activation, etc.) to help ensure VA's physical security requirements are properly met and support VA's safety and security goals. Conducts or assists in physical security surveys and vulnerability assessments on schedules set forth by VA. Assists in analyzing findings to determine weaknesses, prioritize vulnerabilities, and determines necessary courses of action to mitigate risk. Makes recommendations to applicable leaders to help resolve issues. Police and Security Administration Interprets complex security policies and procedures, serving as a source of guidance for senior facility leadership, other service chiefs, program managers, and leaders within the Medical Center's catchment area. s keep senior facility leadership informed about program successes and vulnerabilities, and collaborates with leaders to address concerns, resolve program issues, and address resource needs. Serves as a management-designated liaison, subject matter expert, and consultant with federal law enforcement agencies such as the VA, Office of the Inspector General-Criminal Investigation Division (OIG-CID), FBI, DEA, A.T.F., Secret Service, State Police, and local law enforcement agencies. Responsible for aiding in the establishment of Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with law enforcement agency executives accountable for the jurisdictions in which VA has facilities. Represents the Chief at the Department and the Facility/HCS at meetings, conferences, events, and with outside agencies. Participates in State FUSION Center information sharing on behalf of the Chief. Responsible for executing complex regulations, laws, VA Directives, and Handbooks to develop local directives, policies, and instructions based on OS&LE policies, to meet the unique needs of the catchment area, protect patients, visitors, employees, and equipment while on VA controlled property. Executes an action plan to resolve significant problems based on data that has been analyzed against performance expectations and norms. Collaborates to help ensure appropriate notifications are made when serious or specific incident types occur (local leadership and Integrated Operations Center (IOC), VHA Issue Briefs, and notification to VA OIG or other law enforcement agency when required). Supports and participates in Incident Command processes when circumstances arise that require the activation of an Incident Management Team. Offers proposals to help ensure the Police service's emergency preparedness plan is current and supports the Medical Center's level plan. Provides aid to help ensure access and operation of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) (and state terminals) is conducted per all applicable laws and VA policies. Supervisory Duties Directs, oversees, and coordinates the work of Police personnel and support personnel. Defines objectives, general operating procedures, and exercises related to personnel management functions, including developing and assigning goals, objectives, and policies for subordinate supervisors and organizations. Approves or disapproves the full range of personnel actions recommended by subordinate supervisors. Plans work to be accomplished, sets priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. Assigns and reviews work. Work Schedule: Varies, 8 or 10 hour shifts dependent on needs of service. Position Description Title/PD#: Supervisory Security Specialist/PD41678-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Requirements Conditions of employment As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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) Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Must possess a current valid, state-issued driver's license. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must be able to achieve and maintain qualification/certification with agency-approved firearm Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. GS-11 grade level: To qualify for this position, you must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the federal service; experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: knowledge of security administration programs; Technical knowledge of multi-layered security systems to advise the Chief and facility management on improvements and additions to existing systems or the acquisition of new security systems; knowledge and understanding of a wide range of security regulations; In-depth operational knowledge of security programs, laws, and regulations. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month & year starting and ending dates AND hours worked per week. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 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 that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position.NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. 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. Driver's License Requirement: Applicants must possess a current, 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 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 EMPLOYEMENT 1. New VA Police Officers are required to attend an 8-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. 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 an 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 is received. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. As a condition of employment, 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 (9). Physical Requirements: The incumbent is required to exert considerable and strenuous physical effort regularly while performing the functions of the position. These functions are normally performed while the position conducts security surveys and inspections, which require crawling in unusually confined building areas. May be called upon to defend themselves and members of staff, patients or the public against physical attack and may be required to exercise deadly force if necessary. The incumbent is require to maintaining firearms qualifications, climbing flights of stairs, carrying heavy equipment/patients during emergencies, running, bending, stooping, physical restraint of aggressive persons, and being subjected to assaults by persons evading arrest. Inspections and audits of security systems, construction sites, and full searches require the performance of duties in a variety of inclement weather conditions, including walking and crawling in wooded or overgrown field conditions, as well as in all elements of seasonal weather. 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. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. Additional information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. 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 employee's 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. If 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. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.