Police Officer

Summary

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) safeguards the Congress, Members of Congress, employees, visitors, and Congressional buildings and grounds from crime, disruption, and terrorism. The USCP protects and secures Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, secure, and open environment.

Duties

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A United States Capitol Police Officer LP-0083 performs a full range of police duties and responsibilities:

• Enforces Federal and District of Columbia laws and regulations, and enforces USCP rules and regulations relating to law enforcement.
• Physically protects the U.S. Capitol complex (buildings and grounds), Members of Congress, visitors, and staff from threats of crime and disruption; preserves law and order; and serves as a deterrent to crime and other violations of laws, rules, and regulations.
• Takes charge of accidents and crime scenes, restricting access to crime scenes; observes, stops, and questions suspicious persons.
• Prepares reports and testifies in court.
• Performs protective services, safeguards Federally-owned buildings and property, and protects government equipment and property.
• Upon successfully
  completing training and a probationary period, time-in-grade requirements and
  all experience requirements, future competitive promotions are available to
  advance to other duties-a higher rank or an officer assignment within a
  specialized area. USCP specialized areas include, e.g., Special Operations
  Division, Canine Section, Containment Emergency Response Division, Dignitary
  Protection Division, Intelligence Analysis Division, Intelligence Operations
  Division, Criminal Investigations Section, Threat Assessment Section, and
  Hazardous Incident Response Division.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Your completed application and required documents must be submitted by the closing date of this vacancy announcement to receive further consideration. Your online application and answers to the attached assessment questionnaire will be reviewed and evaluated. As a result of this initial review, qualified applicants will be required to submit additional biographical information and supporting documents. A list of these documents will be provided to you during the selection process. Further Evaluation of Qualified Candidates Pre-Employment Screening Candidates will be required to submit an Authorization for Release form and additional information via a Personal History Statement (PHS). The information provided, along with a review of a candidate's credit, criminal history, and their driving record, will be reviewed. ESOPH is an automated system used by investigators to efficiently manage background investigations. Candidates will receive an e-mail from ESOPH, where they will be instructed to provide their Personal History Statement (PHS). Initial Assessment Phase Following the pre-employment screening, candidates may be invited to participate in the Initial Assessment Phase of the USCP hiring process, all facets of which will be conducted virtually at a location of their choice. This phase consists of an Orientation and Police Officer Selection Test (POST). The Initial Assessment Phase measures a candidate's initial suitability for the position of Police Officer. It also provides the applicant with an overview of the USCP and its hiring process.

Qualifications

The Initial Assessment

Phase consists of two components:

Orientation Session - An overview of the USCP mission, hiring

process, training, and employment opportunities.

Written Exam - The Police

Officer Selection Test (POST) will test the candidate's knowledge of basic

math, reading, and grammar. A passing score of at least 70% (seventy percent)

must be obtained in each section.

The Orientation and POST will require candidates to use a video conferencing

system.

Note: All online portions of the

hiring process require the use of a desktop or laptop computer. The use of cell

phones and tablets will NOT be allowed for video conferencing. It is highly

recommended that all candidates become familiar with the use of their

computer's webcam and microphone.

Applicants who successfully complete the Initial Assessment Phase will be

issued a Conditional Offer of Employment and will enter the Examination Phase

of the hiring process.

Examination Phase

The Examination Phase consists of psychological, medical and polygraph

examinations. This will be a candidate's first required visit to

our office in Washington, D.C. during the hiring process. Efforts will be made

to schedule these examinations consecutively to eliminate return visits to

complete the examinations.
• Psychological -

Candidates complete a battery of psychological assessments and a clinical

interview. The psychological examination will last approximately four to

six hours. Candidates are encouraged to be well-rested and eat prior to

the examination.

The psychological exam

will occur online and require the use of a desktop or laptop computer, camera,

and microphone.
• Medical - The medical examination will determine if a candidate is medically

qualified to perform the functional requirements of the job. Candidates

will be required to fast (abstain from food) prior to the medical examination.
• Polygraph - The polygraph examination is used to confirm information obtained

through the selection process.

Physical Readiness Test (PRT) - The PRT consists of three events: a timed

300-meter run, push-up test, and a 1.5-mile run.

Background Investigation

The final phase of the selection process requires candidates to undergo a full

background investigation that will include a thorough review and verification

of the candidate's employment history, employer, residential, and personal

references, in depth criminal and credit history, and academic records.

Must be a United States citizen.

Must meet position age requirements.

Must possess and maintain a valid REAL ID U.S. driver's license.

Must show evidence of responsible driving in the past one (1) year.

Male applicants must be registered for Selective Service.

Travel for hiring assessments and training is at applicant's expense.

Must successfully complete a full field background investigation.

Polygraph, medical assessment, criminal, credit, and tax check required.

Must successfully complete all required training.

Must successfully complete a probationary period.

Candidates must meet the following requirements to be minimally qualified for

this position:

U.S. Citizenship Only

United States Citizens will receive consideration. Qualified applicants will be

required to provide proof of citizenship early in the selection process.

Naturalized citizens must be able to participate and complete a holistic and

verifiable background investigation of their personal and professional

background.

Age

Requirements - Sworn officer positions with the USCP are subject to the

mandatory retirement provisions of the Capitol Police Retirement Act, which

requires an officer to separate/retire from the USCP by age 57, but as the

result of current critical mission requirement, the age has been increased to

59.

Applicants must be at least 21 years old at time of

appointment and ordinarily not older than 37. However, the maximum entry age

has been increased to 39 years of age at the time of appointment (or 40 years

of age if the individual turns 40 in the same month of their initial

appointment), with required mandatory retirement after 20 years of Federal law

enforcement service (e.g., employed at 39 years of age and retire at 59 years

of age).

Education High School diploma or GED certificate

is required.

Valid Driver's License

Applicants must possess a valid U.S. driver's license that has not been revoked

or under suspension for the past one (1) year.

Criminal History Check Must

successfully pass a comprehensive criminal history check of the past 10 years.
• A

criminal history check will be performed on all qualified applicants.
• USCP Police Officers are

required to possess a firearm and ammunition. Applicants who have been convicted of

a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence

cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition and are ineligible for the

position.

Credit Check Must

successfully pass a credit check. Applicants must not be in default or

delinquent on any Federal guaranteed student loans.

Selective Service Registration Male applicants must provide verification

of registration with the Selective Service System or must verify exemption from

the Selective Service System registration because of age or military status.

Female applicants are exempt from Selective Service System registration. https://www.sss.gov/verify

Fingerprint Check

Applicants' fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of

Investigation (FBI) for a check of the criminal history record.

Background Investigation

Must successfully complete all components of the USCP full field background

investigation.

There are few automatic grounds for rejection in the USCP background

investigation process. Issues of misconduct, such as illegal drug use, arrests,

or convictions may not be automatically disqualifying. However, deliberate

misstatements, omissions, or intentionally withholding required information at

any phase of the hiring process will result in a candidate's disqualification

regardless of the nature or reason for the misstatement or omission. The

primary reason candidates fail a background investigation is due to

deliberately withholding or omitting material facts. Providing false and/or

misleading information may be grounds for removal from the application and

selection process.

Education

High School diploma or GED certificate is required.

Additional information

Benefits Highlights The USCP offers a competitive starting salary of $86,530.00. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health insurance, dental insurance, vision care, life and long-term care insurance, Thrift Savings Plan, flexible spending accounts, and an employee assistance program. USCP employees are covered under the law enforcement provisions of the Federal Employees Retirement System. Student Loan Repayment Program Incentive up to $10,000 and is subject to budget availability. Upon receipt of proper certification, sick leave balances will be transferred from other branches of the Federal Government. While previous creditable Federal service is used to determine the appropriate leave category, annual leave balances are transferable only from other Legislative Branch organizations. Transit subsidy benefits for your commuting costs may be provided to you as a tax-free benefit. USCP has several on-site state of the art fitness centers with access to personal trainer consultants and locker room facilities.

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.

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.