Canine Training Specialist

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. We protect and secure Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, secure and open environment. Learn more about this agency Duties This position is located within the Operational Services Bureau, Special Operations Division, K9 Section. Develops and implements the canine training program's operations and procedures, ensuring that they are implemented to meet the Canine Training Facility's program objectives, including long-range planning for substantive explosive detection training programs. This requires extensive fact-finding and the development of courses where available training materials and guidance are lacking. Develops or coordinates training curriculum and logistics schedules, lesson plans, handout materials, and operational exercises. Recommends modifications to update or improve various aspects of existing courses, as well as new or modified instructional materials to accommodate training requirements and/or changes in the field of canine training. Resolves curriculum related problems that are often complicated and require considerable research to incorporate new concepts and innovation. Serves as an authority in planning and developing experimental programs, evaluating results, and using the findings in planning, developing, and installing new or modified explosive detection programs. Handles, maintains accountability of and provides security for various materials and weapons used for detector dog training. Designs and produces aides such as videos, explosive samples, graphic reproductions and documentation. Gathers statistics and intelligence on explosive threats to tailor applicable training, ensures training materials, practical exercises and training aids are comprehensive, current, and support Departmental priorities. Produces highly trained and reliable canines and canine technicians. Exposes the canines to an infinite amount of external environmental stimuli to get the canines accustomed to as many unique situations as possible. This position requires the daily handling of explosive training aids.  Incumbent will also assist with kennel care and cleaning as assigned. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. citizen. Successful completion of a background investigation is required. Must complete a one-year probationary period. Certification as a Canine Explosive Ordinance Detection instructor/trainer from the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA), North American Police Working Dog Association (NAPWDA), National Police Canine Association (NPCA), or International Police working Dog Association (IPWDA) is preferred. Submission of your certification from one of these organizations is required for consideration of the credential. Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below.Must possess certification as a Canine Explosive Ordinance Detection instructor/trainer from an accredited agency or nationally recognized law enforcement canine organization.  Must submit copies of your Canine Explosive Ordinance Detection instructor/trainer certification with your application.Must possess at least one year of specialized experience administering Canine Explosive Ordnance Detection training programs equivalent to the CP-9 (GS-11) level.  Experience includes (1) teaching and instructing; (2) developing or modifying training programs and/or training aids and materials; (3) expertise in animal psychology and behavior; and (4) expertise in explosives detector training.  This experience must be as an instructor/trainer at a Federal, state, county or local law enforcement agency or military mission.This position receives 8% hazardous duty pay.All eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.(Information on Qualification & Education is located at the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/) Education There is no education substitution for experience in this series and/or grade. Additional information Additional Conditions of Employment with the USCP: As per the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) and the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019, criminal history information will only be collected following a qualifications review and after a tentative offer of employment has been made. A criminal history does not automatically exclude an applicant from employment with the USCP. Criminal History Check -- Must successfully pass a comprehensive criminal history check of the past 10 years if offered employment. A criminal history check will be performed on applicants who accept an offer of employment. Credit Check -- Must successfully pass a credit check. Applicants must not be in default or delinquent on any Federal guaranteed student loans. Applicants must demonstrate a competent financial history. Financial delinquency including collection accounts, liens, repossessions, or garnishments may be a basis for disqualification. 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 their 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. Expand Hide  additional information 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 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.