LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Bureau of Reclamation Police Officers are stationed at Hoover Dam which is located 23 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada.  Hoover Dam is both a National Icon and designated as a National Critical Infrastructure.  The primary responsibilities of the Hoover Dam Police Officer are to protect the Dam, its appurtenant structures, and to safeguard the lives of visitors and employees. 

1. Where do Police Officers Work?
2. What do Police Officers do?
3. How do I become a Police Officer?
4. Are there any special requirements?
5. What opportunities exist for training and career advancement?
6. What benefits do Police Officers earn?

1. Where do Police Officers Work?

Reclamation Police Officers are stationed only at Hoover Dam.

2. What do Police Officers do?

Hoover Dam Police Officers perform a variety of duties and are skilled in law enforcement techniques, as well as public relations.  Their duties include traffic control, manning a stationary post, and conducting foot or roving vehicle patrols. Police Officers patrol perimeters, areas open to the public, and restricted access areas to detect violations and enforce laws and regulations, including trespass and other crimes against persons and property.  Police Officers assist other Federal and State law enforcement agencies with investigations. Police Officers conduct routine physical security checks of buildings, parking areas, gates, fences, and restricted access areas throughout the facility.

3. How do I become a Police Officer?

The need to fill Hoover Dam Police Officer positions (GS-083) occurs periodically. When there is a vacancy for a Reclamation Police Officer, it will be announced by the Reclamation Human Resource Office at Boulder City, Nevada.  Individuals seeking information about Reclamation Police Officer vacancies can check the Office of Personnel Management’s web site at USAJOBS.

4. Are there any special requirements?

Each Hoover Dam Police Officer must be a U.S. citizen. They must be at least 21 years old but not have reached 37 years old (or if older, have prior experience in a qualifying Federal law enforcement position) at the time of their appointment. They must pass a background investigation for a security clearance at the Secret level. Applicants must certify being registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. A high school diploma or equivalent certification is required. Applicants will participate in an oral interview during the hiring process. The position is subject to a drug test prior to entrance on duty and random drug tests while the position is occupied.  Police Officers must be available to work random shifts, which includes working nights, weekends, and holidays.  The position requires the operation of a motor vehicle and therefore a valid state driver’s license is required. Police Officers are required to wear a uniform, for which a uniform allowance is provided. Police Officers must be citizens of the United States.  The duties require moderate to arduous physical exertion and may include duties that are of a hazardous nature.  Police Officers must therefore be in good physical condition and pass both pre-employment and periodic medical exams, including a vision requirement, which are provided at no cost to the individual.  Hoover Dam Police Officers also must successfully pass a pre-employment battery of tests to determine physical fitness suitability, along with participating in an annual physical efficiency battery test.  Police Officers are required to qualify with and use firearms and other weapons as part of their assigned duties, and to maintain such qualification.  Applicants may not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence.  A high school diploma or equivalent certification is required.

5. What opportunities exist for training and career advancement?

Reclamation Police Officers enter on duty at a grade of GL-5, 6 or 7 depending on qualifications and experience.  The career ladder promotion potential for this position is the GL-7 level; however, promotion to a GL-7 is neither guaranteed nor automatic. The selection process for supervisory and management positions is competitive and provides for additional upward mobility.

A variety of training opportunities exist. Training received will depend on the needs of the individual and the agency.   Specialized on-the-job training will be provided.  Specialized training may include information about Reclamation dams and how the facilities operate, their vulnerabilities, and methods of protecting the facility, its employees, and the public against criminal activity and terrorist acts. In addition, Hoover Dam Police Officers attend up to 12 weeks of law enforcement training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center at Glynco, Georgia or Artesia, New Mexico prior to full employment. 

6. What benefits do Police Officers earn?

Police Officers are covered under the enhanced annuity retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c). Retirement benefits are available with 20 years of Federal law enforcement service at age 50.  Retirement becomes mandatory at age 57.  Therefore, the Police Officer must have reached his/her 37th birthday prior to receiving the appointment, unless previously covered under the Federal Law Enforcement Retirement System.   The Police Officers are compensated, in addition to base salary, with locality pay and premium pay for work performed as overtime, at night, on Sundays, and on holidays.  In addition, health and life insurance may be obtained through the Federal employee programs and are available to immediate family members.  Financial protection is provided, without cost, in the event of a job-related injury or death.  Annual leave accrues at the rate of 13 to 26 days per year, based on length of employment.  Prior Federal civilian or military service is credible.  Sick leave is earned at the rate of 13 days per year and there are 10 paid Federal holidays per year.