Police Officer

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Protective Services, Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo-shaping the future by preserving heritage, discovering new knowledge, and sharing our resources with the world.

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Duties

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The Police Officer executes law enforcement and security functions involved in the protection of life and property within the boundaries of the Smithsonian.

In this position, you will:

• Serve diverse communities.
• Interpret laws, make arrests, conduct traffic stops, and manage emergency and crowd control situations.
• Testify in court proceedings, prepare felony charging documents, conduct interviews and interrogations,
  initiate and lead criminal investigations, and gather evidence through victim and witness interviews.
• Lead community policing efforts.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment

Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions on OPM website.

Additional Requirements:

• Requires annual qualifications (at a minimum) with the standard security force firearm and ASP Baton. Failure to re-qualify will result in removal from the position.
• Requires annual qualifications with the official side arms weapon and OC Spray, and familiarization with authorized shoulder held weapons.
• Must possess a valid motor vehicle operator's permit from the District of Columbia, Virginia or its immediate adjacent states.
• Pre-Employment Drug-Screening
• Pre-Employment Medical Examination and routine recurring medical examination.

Qualifications

Selective Placement Factor: Successful completion of law enforcement/basic police training courses at an accredited law enforcement academy with a Federal, state, municipal, or military police force equivalent to the basic training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).

A selective placement factor refers to a knowledge, skill, ability, or other characteristic that is essential for satisfactory performance in a specific job, in addition to the basic qualification standards. Applicants MUST attach their law enforcement training certificate and/or transcripts to verify successful completion of law enforcement/basic police training. Applicants who do not meet the selective placement factor or do not attach law enforcement/basic police training certificate(s) and/or transcripts to their application will be eliminated from consideration.

In addition to the Selective Placement Factor:

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the NZ-06 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as:

1. providing protection of property and valuable objects against the following hazards: fire, theft, damage, accident, trespass
2. maintaining order and
3. protecting the lives of staff, animals and/or visitors.

Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience.

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; religious; 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.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

Quality Ranking Factor - Possession of an active police commission or one that expired in the past 5 years.

A Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) is a job-related skill, knowledge, or ability that can enhance an applicant's rating but is not essential for basic qualification. Applicants who possess the quality ranking factor may be ranked above those who do not; however, no applicant may be eliminated from consideration for not possessing the Quality Ranking Factor.

Investigation of Fitness

A character investigation may 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. Such investigations will be conducted under the security requirements of the hiring agency.

Medical Requirements

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. Agencies may establish additional, job-related physical or medical requirements provided that the specific position(s) involves the arduous or hazardous duties to which the physical requirements relate.

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. 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. Reasonable accommodation may include but is not limited to the use of assistive devices, job modification or restructuring, provision of readers and interpreters, or adjusted work schedules.

Education

There are no basic education requirements for this position.

Additional information

This position is included in the bargaining unit.

Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.

Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.

Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.

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.

Help

The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options.

Please see Benefits at for a complete description.

Flexible Spending Accounts -

Health Insurance -

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Life Insurance -

Long Term Care Insurance -

Retirement Program -