You will serve as a Canine Instructor, taking the lead on the training and care of detector dogs that are used to inspect outbound cargo, vehicles, and flights for BTS, as well as the canine handlers and lower graded Canine Instructors assigned to the canine program. Responsibilities encompass a wide range of duties associated with the WS Canine program.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Provides regular and advanced training to Canine Handlers and Instructors as appropriate. Oversees and tracks canine health care, kennel care and maintenance, and training records. Submits recommendations to management that may result in revisions of training programs and/or adaptation of new training programs or learning modules. Conducts annual proficiency training to all existing Canine Handlers, Canine Instructors, and evaluates handlers and instructors following completion of proficiency training. Provides feedback to the Canine Program Manager and Canine Team Leaders concerning the performance appraisal of Canine Handlers and Instructors. Designs, develops, delivers, and evaluates specific course content(s) or materials related to training programs for detector dogs and program personnel within BTS detector programs. Assists with larger projects related to training and education programs for external agencies (e.g., territorial, commonwealth, and freely associated states). Handles training and course content requiring significant adaptation or revision due to subject-matter or other problems. Maintains a proficient understanding of USDA, PPQ, NNDTC canine training standards, and provides feedback to the Canine Handlers on their activities.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
• Work may be conducted in remote or isolated environments, including work outside of normal business hours to include nights, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Utilizing and training small breed conservation working dogs on one or more target odors and their handlers to inspect cargo, luggage, vehicles, aircraft, urban or wilderness areas (not a complete for exhaustive list) in an indoor or outdoor tests. Providing evaluations and quality control tests on canine handlers and their dogs on odor detection. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of the principles and theory of detector dog training in an independent professional setting, through on-the-job training, or training from an official training instructor. Possession of advanced knowledge of canine healthcare through the tracking, organization, and maintenance of canine health records, canine husbandry, and establishing and maintaining a strong working relationship with veterinarians. Designing, developing, and updating course content or materials related to multiple training programs for detector dogs and personnel for different subject matter areas. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]