Job Summary

Serves as the Deputy Field Chief for VA Police Service, providing executive leadership and strategic oversight of law enforcement operations, physical security, crisis intervention programs, and compliance activities across a multi-facility catchment area. Ensures integrated, Veteran-centric policing; adherence to federal, state, and local laws; and alignment with VHA mission objectives.

Job Description

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/26/2026. 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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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. GS-12 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience includes expert knowledge of security industry standards and regulatory requirements to provide strategic direction and oversight to subordinate supervisors responsible for compliance, investigative, and inspection activities. Ensures organizational security plans, processes, and procedures align with Federal, State, Local, and tribal requirements and effectively reduce risk across multiple facilities and programs. Mastery of physical security concepts, risk assessments, and security systems integration, as well as an advanced understanding of crisis intervention strategies and Veteran-centric policing models. Skill in applying advanced analytical and evaluative methods to assess program-level effectiveness and resolve complex security issues. Ability to plan, organize, and direct large-scale inspection and audit programs. Reviews findings and recommendations to ensure alignment with organizational goals and regulatory standards. Ability to review and approve resource allocation, staffing structures, and operational processes to optimize efficiency across multiple units. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYEMENT Drug Test Requirement: Applicant selected for movement into positions covered by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control and must pass urinalysis testing as required before the appointment and periodically after that. The position is subject to random drug testing. Training: Incumbent must meet the established experience, basic training, and inservice training requirements established for the enforcement of police powers. Incumbent must successfully complete the designated, required training, which includes the basic VA Police Officer Standardized Training (POST) and required Physical Security and Infrastructure training. Additionally, the selectee must successfully complete the Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) conducted at the selectee's assigned duty location or a different geographic area, and other in-service requirements and weapons qualifications for the enforcement of arrest authority as conferred under 902 authority. Essential Personnel: This position may be designated as essential personnel. Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, acts of terrorism, or lack of funding. Law Enforcement: This position will possess law enforcement authority under Title 38 of the United States Code, Sections 901 & 902, exercising such authority to provide investigative and law enforcement services to Veterans, Federal employees, and members of the general public located and/or conducting business in government owned or leased properties. Pre-Employment Medical Requirement: Prior to appointment, the person selected for this position must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties, which may include protecting citizens, taking suspects into custody using reasonable physical force in the face of physical resistance, and responding to situations requiring physical agility and quick and legally sufficient decision making. Also successfully pass a pre-employment medical examination (which includes, but is not limited to, vision, hearing, cardiovascular, physical, psychological exam, and mobility of extremities) given by an authorized government physician. This position may be subject to periodic incumbent examinations in the future. Lautenberg Amendment: This position is covered by the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. Persons convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence are not eligible for this position. Firearms Requirement: The incumbent will be required to carry a firearm or firearms while performing the duties of this position. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory. Motor Vehicle Operation: The incumbent must possess and maintain a valid automobile driver's license and be available for frequent travel. 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/.