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 within the Howard C. Liebengood Center for Wellness. The Wellness Support Dog Handler (WSDH) is a dedicated individual who is
responsible for providing mental and emotional support to USCP employees. This
role involves utilizing the Wellness Support Dog (WSD) to assist officers and
staff in managing stress, mental health challenges, and promoting overall
well-being. The WSDH will be responsible for the care, training, and deployment
of the WSD, ensuring the animal is effectively integrated into the department's
wellness program.
Duties:
Manage the WSD’s health, training, safety, and well-being, including feeding,
grooming, and veterinary care, while ensuring the WSD effectively supports
mental health.
•Collaborate with other wellness team members, leadership, and mental health
professionals, support officers, and professional staff through visits, activities, and wellness
events.
•Conduct community outreach to enhance public relations, represent the Department
at events promoting the WSD and mental health resources, and provide emotional
support and stress mitigation to officers and professional staff.
•Provide education on the benefits of accessing services through the Howard C.
Liebengood Center for Wellness and participate in wellness activities and
events to promote stress relief and morale.
•Monitor and evaluate the wellness support dog program’s impact, gather
employee feedback, and continuously enhance its effectiveness.
•Document all contacts and interactions, ensuring no confidential or
identifying information is included. This helps evaluate the mission’s
effectiveness and highlights areas for improvement, ultimately showcasing its
success.
Selectee will be assigned to this position at the Howard C. Liebengood
Center for Wellness on a full-time basis.
This position is not a Technician position, nor is it eligible for
Technician pay.
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 canine Physical Abilities Test (PAT).
Qualifications
All applicants must meet the following eligibility factors in order to be
considered for the position of the wellness dog handler:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Candidates must submit a letter of approval from their
homeowner's association to approve the housing of a canine. If you do not have
a homeowner's association, submit a statement to that effect.
4. Must have or be able to successfully complete Critical Incident/Stress Management Training.
5. Must not be in restricted leave status as of the selection date.
6 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)).
7. Must be available to work flexible and/or additional hours.
8. Must possess and maintain a valid Real ID U.S. driver's license.
9. Must be able to obtain and maintain a government issued travel card.
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. This position will be full-time assigned to the Howard C. Liebengood Center for Wellness. This position is not a Technician position, nor is it eligible for Technician pay.
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 and an unscheduled leave check 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: 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 2: 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 3: 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.