Summary
The United States Capitol Police (USCP) safeguards the U.S. Congress, the legislative process, Members of Congress, employees, visitors, and facilities from crime, disruption, or terrorism. The USCP protects and secures Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, secure, and open environment.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
United States Citizens who are at least 20 years and 6 months. This position requires a USCP full field background investigation. This vacancy announcement is open continuously for the month. Applications will be considered in the order of receipt.
Apply here: USCP Careers
Duties
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 Explosives Detection Team, Containment Emergency Response Team, Dignitary Protection Division, Intelligence Section, Criminal Investigations Section, Threat Assessment Section, and Hazardous Incident Response Division.
Requirements
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. The Peace Officer Background Investigation Tracking System (POBITS) is an automated system used by investigators to efficiently manage background investigations. Candidates will receive an e-mail from the POBITS system, 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 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/Registration/check-a-Registration/Verifcation-Form
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.
Benefits
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Post-Assessment Center Evaluation Applicants who successfully complete all components of the Assessment Center may be scheduled for additional pre-employment testing in the Washington, D.C. area. The additional evaluation consists of the following: o Full Field Background Investigation o Medical Examination o Polygraph Examination o Psychological Examination Failure to successfully pass a full field background investigation and all segments of the pre-employment evaluation process will result in disqualification from further consideration under this Vacancy Announcement. Additional Job Requirements Driving Proficiency -- Must be a proficient driver, able to operate a motor vehicle at high speeds, through an obstacle course, in inclement weather, and at times of darkness. Firearm Proficiency -- A USCP Police Officer must be willing to carry and maintain proficiency in the use of a firearm. Training will be provided as part of the mandatory basic training for police officers. Uniform and Grooming Standards -- A USCP Police Officer will be required to wear a USCP-issued uniform while in duty status. Males must be clean shaven. Hair of male and female officers must be neatly groomed and worn off the uniform collar and tucked under the USCP-issued uniform hat. Shift Work - The USCP operates 7 days per week and 24 hours per day. A Police Officer will be required to work any assigned shift. Duty hours are subject to change to accommodate the needs of the Department; additional duty may be required. Applicants must be willing and able to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Probationary Period - This appointment requires the employee to complete a one-year probationary period. The one-year probationary period begins after completing the mandatory basic training described in this Vacancy Announcement. During the probationary period, the employee's conduct and performance will be monitored to determine if the employee will be retained.
Required Documents
RESUME
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Navigate to the following url to apply to this job: Apply here: USCP Careers 1. Follow the prompts to upload your resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. 2. Click the Submit Application button to submit your application package. 3. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date. 4. To verify that your application is complete, log into your account, select the job posting for this position. The page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and any correspondence the Department has sent related to this application. 5. Failure to provide all required documents and information requested by the closing date of this announcement may result in your application not being considered. The complete application package must be submitted by 7:59 PM (ET) on the closing date to receive consideration.
Next steps
Your application will be considered in the order of receipt. Your online application will be reviewed and a determination will be made as to whether you will be considered for employment. A notification of your application status will be sent to you via email. If considered, respond and provide all requested documents and information in a timely manner. Basic Training Qualified candidates selected for employment (after the previous testing and assessment) must successfully complete approximately 6 months of paid training. Candidates must successfully complete each phase of basic training to proceed to the next phase, as follows: Phase 1: Two weeks of preliminary training and orientation conducted at the USCP Training Academy located in Cheltenham, Maryland. Phase 2: Approximately 12 weeks of Uniformed Police Training (UPT) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) located in Glynco, Georgia. Phase 3: Approximately 12 weeks of training specific to the USCP at the USCP Academy located in Cheltenham, Maryland. Phase 4: An additional 8 weeks of training in the USCP Police Training Officer Program, Washington, D.C. Travel is required to attend training at applicant's expense to Cheltenham, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) in Glynco, GA. Employment Disqualifiers There are specific situations that automatically disqualify applicants for USCP employment. Some of the automatic disqualifiers include, but are not limited to: o Conviction of a felony o Conviction of domestic violence o Conviction of a DUI/DWI in the past 10 years o Use of illegal drugs in violation of the United States Capitol Police suitability standards o Less than Honorable military discharge o Intentionally falsifying an application or providing false or intentionally misleading information at any stage of the selection process.
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