Training Specialist / Training Specialist (Canine Specialist)

Summary The incumbent serves as a Training Specialist at the Professional Development Center (PDC), Cooperator Training Unit (CTU), and the National Detector Dog Training Center (NDDTC), responsible for designing, developing, delivering, and evaluating training programs and materials for agency programs and other federal, state, military, foreign, and private-sector stakeholders. Please Note: Position titles and locations are shown in the "additional information" section of this announcement. Learn more about this agency Duties The duties may include, but are not limited to: Develops written materials in a clear, convincing and organized manner that meets established format and style standards and is appropriate for the intended audience. Conducts analysis, designs, develops, delivers, and evaluates specific course content(s) or materials related to the training programs. Facilitates internal and external meetings to help groups work effectively towards solving problems, making group decisions, and accomplishing goals. Review and edit course materials to ensure alignment with learning objectives. Partner with subject matter experts and specialists in the field to conduct task analyses, as well as to analyze the performance, skill, and knowledge levels of the learning audience. Serves as a consultant and troubleshooter for specific course content(s) or materials. Delivers instruction on all facets (supervisory, trainer, handler) of detector dog team training to internal and external customers. (Only required for Canine Training Specialist) Performs maintenance, cleaning and sanitization of canine training and holding areas. (Only required for Canine Training Specialist) Teaches detector dog program personnel to “read” and understand canine’s responses to assist them in their detection efforts. (Only required for Canine Training Specialist) Requirements Conditions of employment 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. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information. 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/ 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. Valid state driver's license at time of application. 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-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Facilitates internal and external meetings to help groups work effectively towards solving problems, making group decisions, and accomplishing goals. Assists with larger projects related to training and education programs. Design, develop, deliver, and evaluate specific course content(s) or materials related to education, training, performance improvement and/or career development programs. Applied principles of canine conditioning to conduct initial detection-canine training, shaping foundational behaviors through odor imprinting, search pattern development, final response reinforcement, and progressive exposure to varied training environments. (Only required for Canine Training Specialist) Instructed canine handlers across all aspects of detector dog operations, including canine handling, detection training, learning theory, behavioral assessment, reward timing, leash handling, search techniques, and long-term maintenance training. (Only required for Canine Training Specialist) Note: There is no education substitution for this 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 This position does not have an educational requirement. Additional information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be well qualified, which means having knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies that exceed the minimum qualification requirements for this position. CTAP/ICTAP applicants may be required to take a manual assessment and must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection. Multiple positions/locations are being filled through this vacancy. 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 here. The position titles and locations for this announcement are as follows: Training Specialist 3 vacancies in the following location: Glynco, GA 3 vacancies in the following location: Frederick, MD Training Specialist (Canine Specialist) 6 vacancies in the following location: Newnan, GA This position requires daily handling and movement of canines across uneven terrain. Frequently, the use of equipment and agricultural products require extensive standing, walking, bending and lifting of objects that weigh an average of 75 lbs. Physical stamina is needed to be successful in the position. 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.