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.
This job is open to
Internal to an agency
Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.
Clarification from the agency
Only current USCP sworn employees. Navigate to the following URL to apply to this job: <a href="https://uscp.csodfed.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home?c=uscp&source=USA">USCP Careers</a>
Duties
This position is located in the K-9 Section, Special Operations Division,
Operational Services Bureau. The K-9 Section provides a wide range of explosive
detection capabilities, security sweeps, and other responsibilities assigned to
support the mission of the Department.
Duties:
Handles and uses trained canines in various settings and activities involving
the protection of Congress, its Members, employees, visitors, and the Capitol
building facilities, including but not limited to explosive detection,
anti-terrorism, security sweeps, and event security.
Performs surveillance of suspects, and violators to identify and apprehend
suspects, bomb threats, and suspicious activities. Conducts explosive detection
sweeps, and urban detection operations for the protection of life and property
on the Capitol grounds.
Responsible for directing canines to perform explosive detection searches of
building, office areas, vehicles (to include all modes of transportation),
screen all cargo, loading docks and warehouses, parcel pick-up, shipping,
receiving, packages, materials and persons as directed by proper authority and
consistent with canine training.
Seeks, detects, and protects all evidence,
victims, and witnesses and performs all law enforcement activities as assigned.
Responsible for caring for issued canine at home and at work. May also
be assigned to care for other canines kenneled at the Department kennel.
The results of this vacancy announcement selection process will be used to fill
positions within the K-9 Section. More than one selection may be made from this
vacancy announcement. The selection list for this vacancy announcement will be
active for a period of 12 months from the date of the approved selection
memorandum.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
o Must be a current USCP sworn employee below the rank of Sergeant. o Must have attained the rank of Private First Class. o Must possess and maintain a valid REAL ID U.S. driver's license. o Must successfully complete all required training. o Must reside within 50 air miles of the United States Capitol Dome. o Must successfully pass the K-9 Physical Abilities Test (PAT).
Qualifications
All applicants must meet the following eligibility factors in order to be
considered for the position of K-9 Technician:
1. Must reside within 50 air miles of the United States Capitol Dome, in
accordance with Directive 1074.003, Home-to-Work (HTW) Vehicle Authorization
and Use. The website www.distancefromto.net has been selected to
calculate the distance between the candidate's address and the Capitol Dome.
2. Must be a USCP sworn employee below the rank of Sergeant and have attained
the rank of Private First Class by the closing date of this announcement.
3. Must have a residence with a yard large enough to accommodate the issued K-9
portable outdoor E/Z kennel. Candidates must submit a letter of approval from
their homeowner's association to erect a kennel and will be required to submit
approval with their application. If you do not have a homeowner's association,
submit a statement to that effect.
4. Must not be in restricted leave status as of the selection date.
5. Must be in a full and unrestricted duty status in order to participate in
Selection Process Phase III - Physical Abilities Test (PAT) unless otherwise
authorized by law (e.g., performance of duty injury, Family Medical Leave Act
(FMLA), or Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)).
6. Must be available to work flexible and/or additional hours.
7. Must possess and maintain a valid Real ID U.S. driver's license.
8. Must be able to obtain and maintain a government issued travel card.
RETENTION CRITERIA
Failure to comply with any of the following retention factors will be
grounds for mandatory removal from the K-9 Program and will result in
reassignment to a different position, demotion, or separation by appropriate
procedures.
1. Must successfully complete the USCP K-9 Explosive Detection Training
Program (Approximately 12 - 16 weeks in length) or a certified Vapor-Wake
training program (Approximately 12 - 16 weeks if assigned as a Person Borne
Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED) handler); and any other required training
programs.
2. Canine Handler Certification: The selected candidate must successfully
complete the canine handler training and certification program as designated by
USCP. Selected candidates must successfully complete annual certification as a
K-9 technician according to the set standards established by the Department.
3. Must successfully complete the Special Operations Division Field Training
Officer (FTO) program.
4. Must maintain proper care of assigned canine, Home to Work vehicle (HTW)
and home kennel.
5. The selected candidate must be able to home board a dog in their
residence (i.e., maintain the dog in a safe and approved environment, with no
problematic family allergies to dogs, etc.) and be willing to give up other
pets if they are not compatible with the assigned canine.
6. Must complete a one-year probationary period from the date rank of
Technician is obtained.
7. Must be willing to work any shift assigned.
8. Must be able to obtain and maintain a USCP travel credit card. This
position requires travel, and selected candidate must be able to travel outside
the Washington Metropolitan area as required.
9. Must maintain a valid REAL ID U.S. driver's license.
10. Complete Incident Command System (ICS)
courses ICS-100 and ICS-200 (https://training.fema.gov/nims/).
Education
There is no education substitution for experience in this series and/or grade.
Additional information
Applications and supporting documentation must be received by the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. This position is non-exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime provisions. This position is included in a collective bargaining unit.
NOTE: More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement. The selection list will be active for a period of one (1) year from the date of approval of the selection memorandum. An applicant may request to be removed from consideration by sending a written request to the Office of Human Resources.
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.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The following selection process will be used to further assess candidates who have met the initial eligibility factors. Candidates must qualify under each phase to be considered in subsequent phases.
Phase I: Initial Qualification - The Office of Human Resources (OHR) will conduct an eligibility factor review as outlined in this vacancy.
Phase II: KSA Assessment and Resume review- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities and the resume will be evaluated by an appointed assessment panel.
Phase III: Canine Physical Abilities Test (PAT) - Candidates must pass each part of the Canine PAT successively to continue to the oral interview. A complete description of the Canine PAT is located under the "Next Steps" section of this vacancy announcement.
Phase IV: Structured Interview - Candidates eligible for Phase IV will be scheduled for an oral interview.
Results of this selection process will be used to recommend candidates to the hiring manager who is the final selecting official. OHR will conduct a disciplinary action review. The hiring manager at his/her discretion may elect not to select a recommended candidate for reasons such as: 1) Substandard performance; 2) Serious sustained misconduct; and/or 3) Pending investigatory and/or disciplinary matters internally or externally. All aspects of the process are subject to the Department's legal review. All final recommendations are subject to final approval of the Chief of Police.
Required Documents
Applicants must submit a copy of the following document by uploading and attaching the document with their on-line application.
1. Resume.
2. A valid REAL ID U.S. driver's license.
3. Letter of approval from homeowner's association to erect a kennel. If you do not have a homeowner's association, submit a statement to that effect. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and required documentation are factual and submitted prior to the closing date of this announcement. If you do not attach the required documentation, you will be ineligible for this announcement. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and required documentation is submitted prior to the closing date of this announcement. If you do not attach the required documentation, you will be ineligible for this announcement.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Navigate to the following URL to apply to this job: USCP Careers 1. Follow the prompts to upload your resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. 2. Click the Submit Application button to submit your application package. 3. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date. 4. To verify that your application is complete, log into your account, select the job posting for this position. The page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and any correspondence the Department has sent related to this application. 5. Failure to provide all required documents and information requested by the closing date of this announcement may result in your application not being considered. The complete application package must be submitted by 7:59 PM (ET) on the closing date to receive consideration.
Next steps
Applicants will be notified via internal USCP e-mail of their status at the conclusion of each phase of the selection process described in this vacancy announcement.
Canine Physical Abilities Test (PAT):
Each task stands alone but must be tested in the order presented below. A candidate must successfully complete the task as described in order to pass the task. A candidate must pass all tasks in order to pass the Canine PAT. Failure to successfully complete any task constitutes failure of the Canine PAT. When a candidate fails a task, the candidate does not then proceed to any other task.
Task 1: Long Walk - The candidate will walk 1700' in 6 minutes and 20 seconds.
Task 2: Canine Lift - The candidate will lift a simulated dog weighing 65 lbs. from level ground while starting in a squat position finishing in a standing position with legs straight and forearms perpendicular to the candidate's body without aid and without grasping the simulated dog (must lift from underneath) and after holding the dog at chest height for 65 seconds must place the simulated dog on the ground without dropping it.
Task 3: Canine Lift and Carry - The candidate will lift a simulated dog weighing 65 lbs. from level ground while starting in a squat position finishing in a standing position with legs straight and forearms perpendicular to the candidate's body without aid and without grasping the simulated dog (must lift from underneath) and, once standing, walk while carrying the simulated dog 50' (out 25' and back 25') within 30 seconds of beginning the lift.
Task 4: Canine Control - The candidate will lift a dog leash with 30 lbs. of weight attached from the ground with arms outstretched and perpendicular to the candidate's body carry the weight over the end of the designated target (approximately 27" high and 55" wide) without touching the target and then placing the leash and weight on the ground without dropping it.
After a review of your application materials is made, you will be notified of your eligibility status. If you are referred to the hiring official, you will receive further notification. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.