Prior Law Enforcement Jobs in Springfield, MA (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This position is located within the Police and Security department at the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, performing law enforcement work for the preservation of peace and the prevention, detection, and investigation of crimes occurring on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) controlled property.
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Duties
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The major duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Planning, organizing, and managing all aspects of the Police Service training program in accordance with VA Handbook 0730, established training policies, and Federal guidelines.
• Maintaining accurate and current training records, ensuring all required training is completed within established timeframes.
• Providing routine advisement regarding training accomplishments, deficiencies, and potential problems.
• Preparing reports and disseminates accurate and useful information to Police Service personnel and management officials to meet quality and quantity standards established by the Department of Justice, OSLE, and the Law Enforcement Training Center.
• Overseeing the Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) program. This program is a detailed initial training conducted at the facility level for all new VA Police hires.
• Observing and evaluating the performance of Police Officer Training Instructors during quarterly training sessions, monthly rapid response drills, and real-world situations.
• Reviewing police reports for proper classification under Uniform Crime Report (UCR) categories and provides feedback through appropriate channels.
• Conducting Use of Force reviews to determine appropriateness, documents findings, and reports results.
• Serving as the primary liaison for training-related matters with VA Central Office, other facilities, and external law enforcement partners.
• Coordinating local and/or regional training with outside law enforcement partners.
• Maintaining technical expertise in firearms maintenance and ensures compliance with all applicable standards and safety requirements.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.
Compressed/Flexible: Authorized.
Telework: Not Authorized.
Position Description/PD#: Law Enforcement Specialist (Training Coordinator)/PD00224A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
Financial Disclosure: Not Required.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Notifications:

• This position is covered by a General Schedule locality salary rate.
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position, title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (competitive or excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
• This position is not a Bargaining Unit position.
• Selectee will be required to complete additional forms to proceed with employment process.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• 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). 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

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 period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/23/2026.
GS-9 Law Enforcement Officer Experience Requirement:
One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 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:

1. Planning, organizing and coordinating complex training schedules and resources across multiple disciplines; including firearms, active threat response and defensive tactics.
2. Using Law Enforcement software systems, databases and reporting tools to compile and analyze data.
3. Managing administrative tasks such as; maintaining accurate training records, monitoring budgets and overseeing equipment needs.
4. Knowledge of security industry standards and requirements to perform compliance, investigative and inspection activities for facility infrastructure/asset owners and operators, as well as Federal, State, Local and tribal Public Safety Officials on methods to improve security plans, processes and procedures to reduce risk;
5. Identifying, categorizing, analyzing and applying qualitative and quantitative data methods to assess and improve program effectiveness.

In addition to the experience above, the incumbent must also meet the established Level of experience; Five or more years experience after completion of VABPOC or POST as a certified and credentialed VA Police Officer; Must have completed VA POST-R, and all Inservice training requirements established for the enforcement of police powers. Incumbent must also have successfully completed, and held for three or more years all designated, required training, which includes all LETC instructor certifications and armorer certification.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Education and Training
• Teaches Others
• Managing Human Resources
• Public Safety and Security
• First Response

Driver's License Requirement:
Applicants must possess a 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).
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.
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.
Physical Requirements: The work requires, on a regular and recurring basis, considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as running, frequent climbing of multiple flights of stairs, and carrying items weighing over 50 pounds. It requires stamina, physical agility, dexterity, and the strength to pursue, apprehend or detain persons who are often uncooperative, assaultive, and/or armed.
Work Environment: The work involves both moderate and high risks and possible endangerment of life or serious injury that requires the exercise of safety precautions and use of personal protective equipment. The work is performed in settings in which there is regular and recurring exposure to moderate to severe discomforts and unpleasantness, such as high temperatures in confined spaces, high temperatures due to mandatory protective personal equipment, or adverse weather conditions during extended periods of traffic and patrol duties. The work involves moderate risk requiring exercise of safety precautions when working around hazardous materials such as toxic gases, explosives, infectious biological materials, and others that pose a moderate risk of exposure.
Education
There is no educational substitution for this GS-09 Law Enforcement Specialist.
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
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.
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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
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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
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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.
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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.