Summary
The Canine Training Center (CTC), a component of TSA's Training and Development, is the designated "Center for Excellence" and the largest explosives detection canine program in the Department of Homeland Security. Located at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio, Texas, the CTC features a state-of-the-art $12 million campus with 21 training labs simulating real world transportation environments, including airport terminals, aircraft, and rail systems.
Responsibilities
This Supervisory Training Instructor (Canine) position is located Training and Development- Canine Training Center, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to: Designs, develops, revises, and instructs complex subject matter to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of basic and advanced canine training programs that meets the goals and objectives of T&D and the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program (NEDCTP). Incumbent serves as a recognized TSA subject-matter expert in canine training. May be called upon to represent TSA at interagency, inter-governmental, international, and stakeholders' meetings, symposia, or conferences. Advises management on the operational effectiveness and efficiency of assigned program(s). Provides recommendations to address areas of concern; oversees implementation of fixes and assesses effectiveness of solutions. Advises management on unusual or complex operational issues. Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with multiple law enforcement organizations at all levels in support of canine programs/teams within those organizations. The major duties described above reflect the full performance level of this position.
Qualifications
In addition to the minimum qualifications described above, you must meet the following specialized experience to be considered qualified for the position: To qualify for the SV-J Pay Band (equivalent to GS-14), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-I or GS-13 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as: Develop and implement canine training programs to meet organizational goals and objectives and ensure compliance with government regulations and policies; AND Overseeing matters related to the training and evaluation of canine handlers and explosives detection canines; AND Experience advising management on program effectiveness and efficiency to identify operational concerns and recommend corrective actions. Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Requirements
You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National. You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI). Selective Service registration is required. Position requires frequent travel and occasional work on weekends. Incumbent may be required to work with various hazardous chemicals including explosives.Position is subject to hazardous duty pay. Physical Demands: Incumbent must be physically able to work outdoors, often under adverse weather conditions. May have to lift dogs (up to 80lbs) or heavy supplies. Work requires walking, bending, and standing. Work environment: The work environment involves high risks with regular and recurring exposure to weather extremes and to potentially dangerous situations with aggressive dogs. For example, works closely with potentially dangerous animals, where safety precautions cannot completely eliminate the danger. Incumbent is subject to scratches, bites, unpleasant odors, and loud barking noises. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. This position is subject to the supervisory probationary period, unless the incumbent has previously completed the probationary requirement. If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for TSA to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
Benefits
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; situational telework may be permitted in accordance with departmental policy telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more. Employees who transfer to TSA from an agency that allows employees to maintain an annual leave balance higher than the maximum accumulation for the appointed position will have their leave ceiling set to the maximum accumulation for the appointed position (e.g., United States duty location - 240 hours, foreign duty location - 360 hours, or TSES position - 720 hours). TSA will not make a monetary payment for any leave forfeited under these circumstances.