Law Enforcement Officer

Summary
This position is located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, District 4-Regional Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Blanding, Utah; Mescalero, New Mexico; San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico; Towaoc, Colorado.
This is a Bargaining Unit position, for more information see USA Jobs What are bargaining units?
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Maybe Authorized. Recruitment Incentive: Maybe Authorized for some locations.
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Duties
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As Law Enforcement Officer, GL-1801, your typical work assignments may include but not limited to:

• Investigating criminal activities, such as assault, homicide, robbery, vandalism, illegal possession of drugs/firearms, public intoxication, traffic incidents, and other activities.
• Enforcing Federal and Tribal laws applicable to Indian Country
• Collaborating with other law enforcement agencies, including state, tribal, and other federal agencies, on cases and other law enforcement activities of mutual interest
• Apprehending violators of Federal, Tribal and/or State criminal laws
• Applying for and executing search and arrest warrants
• Testifying and presenting evidence to grand juries in cases involving felony violations
• Training and developing lower graded law enforcement officers.

The duties listed are demonstrative of this position at the full performance GS-11 level. Selection at the lower level, will allow for the opportunity to learn and perform these duties by receiving training to develop in the position.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated
• A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
• If you are a male applicant born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
• Incumbent is required to operate a government motor vehicle, must possess a valid driver's license, and have a safe driving record within the 4 year period immediately preceding submittal of GSA Form 3607.
• Selectees must pass a pre-employment medical examination and may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to determine if they are maintaining the fitness standards for this position.
• Drug Testing. This position is subject to both pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
• You must meet the qualifications and be certified to carry a firearm. You will need to maintain firearm proficiency.
• This position has been approved for Primary Law Enforcement Coverage.
• There is a residency requirement for all applicants to live within 50 miles of their assigned duty station unless written prior approval is obtained by the Director. This is a condition of home-to-work vehicle authorization.
• You must successfully complete mandatory basic / advanced training as a condition of employment. Annual training is required to maintain qualifications in accordance with BIA OJS standards and policies.
• Applicant shall not possess any Brady/Giglio violations or concerns.

Qualifications
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards
GL-07: To qualify at the GL-07 level you must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GL-05 grade level performing ALL of the following: 1) Assisting in conducting preliminary investigations; 2) Participating in traffic, boundary, trail, and/or hunting patrols to enforce federal laws; and 3) Executing arrest warrants OR
Education: (1) Successful completion of one full year of graduate level education (18 semester or 27 quarter hours) OR
Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.): S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, -or- (3) honor society membership. 1. Class standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class based on completed courses.
2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum as recorded on their official transcript, or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. 3. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society - Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor society. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision. OR
A combination of education and experience that totals 100% of the requirement above.
GL-09:
To qualify at the GL-09 level you must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GL-07 grade level performing ALL of the following: 1) Requesting and presenting justifications for arrest warrants; 2) Conducting investigations of criminal activities; 3) Prosecuting and apprehending violators of law to ensure the protection and safe use of facilities and resources; and 4) Maintaining the lifespan of evidence from collection to proper disposal, upon completion of cases. OR
Education: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree or a LL. B or J.D., in a related field of study OR a combination of specialized experience and education that totals 100% of the experience requirement. OR
A combination of experience and education that totals 100% of the requirement above.
GS-11 :
To qualify at the GS-11 level you must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GL-09 grade level performing ALL of the following: 1) Investigating criminal activities to include locating and securing crime and collecting evidence; 2) Issuing citations and filing criminal complaints; 3) Collaborating with other law enforcement officers and agencies via the exchange of information and coordinated activities of mutual interest, as related to criminal cases; 4) Contacting and informing public land users of procedures, laws, and regulations to gain compliance; and 5) Providing feedback to bureau supervisors and employees on law enforcement protection issues. OR
Education: 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or a L.L.M. in a related field of study OR a combination of specialized experience and education that totals 100% of the experience requirement. OR
A combination of experience and education that totals 100% of the requirement above.
FIREARMS REQUIREMENT : This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child; or 8) convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE LIMIT: The maximum entry-age for this position shall not exceed age 37, unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian law enforcement (or firefighter, if applicable) experience or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application will result in the loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement. If you have an approved age waiver, please submit that with your application.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Merit Promotion candidates must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date.
Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur in the same location within 90 days from the closing date.
Education
If you are qualifying based on your education, you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education which shows the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: FOREIGN EDUCATION
Additional information
All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2026 Salary Tables and select the pay chart for Albuquerque, New Mexico; Blanding, Utah; Mescalero, New Mexico; San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico; Towaoc, Colorado. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart.
The full performance level of this position is GL-11. Promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. A career ladder promotion is at the discretion of management, and in no way guaranteed.
The probationary or trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will 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.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your (probationary period -OR- trial period) your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. ( 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.

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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.
Related non-Federal experience or related experience as retired members of the uniformed services may be credited towards computing entitlement to leave accrual, at managerial discretion, providing that experience meets certain criteria. This provision allows new employees to earn annual leave at a higher rate than would otherwise be allowed. (5 Code of Federal Regulations, 630). For additional information, please visit: Creditable Service for Annual Leave
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.