Police Officer
Veterans Health Administration · Department of Veterans Affairs
This job in plain English
This is a full-time GS-6 Police Officer job with the Veterans Health Administration, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs Police Service. The one open position is in Missoula, MT, and the job focuses on protecting people and property and investigating crimes at VA health care facilities. The announcement uses direct hire authority and stays open continuously for referrals.
It may close early. Qualified applicants are referred on cut-off dates starting September 18, 2026, then every two weeks, so applying early may help.
Can you apply?
Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen: this job is open to everyone.
- Displaced federal employeesFederal employees who lost or are losing their job through a reduction in force (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).
- Open to everyoneAny U.S. citizen or national can apply. Some jobs also accept non-citizens; the announcement says so.
Other groups listed above may get extra consideration, for example veterans' preference.
The job is open to the public, but you must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Displaced federal employees under CTAP or ICTAP get selection priority if they meet the requirements.
What you would do
- Investigate crimes and gather evidence to identify suspects.
- Patrol assigned areas on foot or by motor vehicle.
- Arrest violators and obtain search and arrest warrants.
- Subdue people who cause disturbances or threaten harm.
- Provide first aid and CPR until medical staff arrive.
- Write reports on activities and events during each shift.
Do you qualify for GS-6?
With experience: You need at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 in law enforcement. This includes maintaining order, taking complaints, interviewing witnesses, patrolling, traffic control, or investigative work. Security guard and corrections officer jobs are generally not qualifying.
With education: There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
Licenses and certifications you need:
- Valid, unrestricted State driver's license with a safe driving record
How to apply well
What to send:
- Resume of no more than two pages showing job title, duties, start and end month and year, and hours per week for each job
- Cover letter
- DD-214/Statement of Service, if applicable
- Disability letter (VA), if applicable
- SF-15, if applicable
- SF-50 showing current position, grade, and duty location, if you are a current or former federal employee
- Agency notice, most recent performance rating, and SF-50, if applying under CTAP or ICTAP
How you will be rated: Your application is rated on your resume, your questionnaire answers, and your required assessments. You are assessed on nine competencies, including attention to detail, decision making, stress tolerance, and teamwork. Overstating your experience or cheating on the online assessment may get you removed from consideration.
Tips for this job:
- Make sure each job on your resume lists job title, duties, start and end month and year, and hours per week, or that experience may not count.
- Keep your resume to two pages or less, since longer resumes make you ineligible.
- If you need an accommodation for the USA Hire online assessment, request it before you begin the test.
Good to know before you apply
Schedule: Full-time. Rotating shifts, weekends, irregular hours, and extended hours may be required based on the needs of Police Services.
Incentives and relocation: None. Relocation and recruitment incentives, Critical Skills Incentive, and permanent change of station moves are not authorized or approved.
Conditions of employment:
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959
- Pre-placement physical and psychological examination
- Drug test (urinalysis) before appointment
- Background and security investigation
- Character investigation
- Seasonal influenza vaccination required
- 1-year probationary period
- 8-week course at VA Law Enforcement Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas
- Must qualify to be issued and carry an agency-approved firearm
- Must be able to possess firearms under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9)
- Annual physical and psychosocial assessments
- Must be willing to work rotating shifts, weekends, and extended hours
- Must be willing to be detailed or temporarily reassigned
- Real ID-compliant identification needed for onboarding
We wrote this summary automatically from the official announcement. The announcement on USAJOBS is the only one that counts: read it before you apply.
Job details
- Salary
- $56,247 – $73,121 per year
- Pay scale and grade
- GS-6 · General Schedule
- Location
- Missoula, Montana
- Appointment
- Permanent
- Work schedule
- Full-time
- Service
- Competitive
- Openings
- 1
- Security clearance
- Not Required
- Travel
- 25% or less
- Drug test
- Not required
- Supervisory
- No
- Occupation
- Police (0083)
- Announcement
- CBSU-13057698-26-MN
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