Clarification from the agency

You may apply if you are a Status Candidate (Current or Former Federal employee and VEOA) and/or a Non-Competitive Hiring Authority Eligible (Military Spouse and Individuals with Disabilities).

As a Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives Detection Canine Handler (TSS-EDCH) with Security Operations (SO), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), you will be responsible for conducting Passenger Screening Canine (PSC) and other Explosives Detection Canine (EDC) threat assessment/mitigation activities to ensure the safety of the traveling public and mitigate potential threats, in coordination with Airport Screening Operations. You will also apply knowledge gained through formal canine handler training to develop skills necessary to evaluate and reward canine behavior, guide canines during threat mitigation activities, and ensure effective utilization of canines. Other duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

- Utilizing canines to assess passengers in screening queues for potential explosives threats.
- Interacting with traveling public to respond to inquiries, establish a calm environment, and maximize the canine's ability to search.
- Coordinating and collaborating with other EDC program members, in scheduling work and training activities.
- Traveling to explosives storage magazine to obtain identified explosives to be used for canine training and ensuring variation of aids used to ensure canine proficiency. Loading explosives in designated containers and transporting to airports or other training locations.
- Utilizing risk-based security techniques and intelligence information to determine areas in which to use canines to conduct random sweeps, support ATLAS exercises, and to act as a visible deterrent to potential terrorist threats or criminal activity and to align training to mitigate known threats.
- Evaluating potential threats based on canine response (passenger or object) to determine action to be taken (e.g., have canine respond or call appropriate authorities).
- Performing a variety of administrative functions to include: logging work activities/time; updating training and utilization in canine specific tracking systems to ensure documentation of canine behavior, potential training needs, and actions taken to correct canine behavior(s); entering vehicles usage/maintenance data; and entering/validating time and attendance, etc.
- Utilizing a variety of technology (e.g., iPhone, iPad, laptop, radio) to perform core work functions.

If selected for the Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives Detection Canine Handler position, in addition to the duties outlined above, you will also be responsible for performing daily care of the canine including health maintenance, feeding/watering, exercising, and grooming, as well as maintaining safe and sanitary conditions of TSA-issued equipment (e.g., kennel, vehicle, office space, and home environment).Note: The duties of this position are observed and reviewed frequently for technical accuracy, application of canine handling methods and techniques, and results.

Conditions of employment

1. You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
2. You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application.
3. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI).
4. Selective Service registration is required.
5. You must successfully complete a training course & pass medical evaluation.
6. Selective Service registration is required.
7. You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
8. This position is not covered by Law Enforcement Availability Pay or Law Enforcement Retirement.
9. This is an emergency essential position.

Additional "Conditions of Employment" can be found in the Qualifications section.

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.

Candidates who accept a Tentative Job Offer will be required to successfully complete a medical evaluation, drug test, and pre--hire background investigation before they are eligible for a Final Job Offer. Moreover, current TSS-EDCH employees who are seeking a reassignment via the competitive hiring process must successfully complete each step in the hiring process, including retaking the USA Hire Assessment after their results expire, as well as, undergoing the medical evaluation.

Please only select consideration for locations within 50 miles of your current residence or which you are willing to relocate at your own expense. Payment of relocation expenses (Permanent Change of Station) is not authorized. Vacancies for each location are not guaranteed until that duty location Indicates that they have a vacancy.

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.

Qualifications

To qualify for the SV-G Pay Band, you must meet one of the qualification requirements (A, B, OR C) as outlined below:

A. Experience: For those qualifying using experience, your application must clearly outline three (3) years of progressively responsible general experience, one (1) year of which was equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent in the private sector. Such experience will demonstrate the ability to: analyze problems, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; and communicate effectively orally and in writing.

OR

B. Education: Bachelor's or higher-level degree in any field from an accredited college or university.

OR

C. Combining of Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements, and may be computed by first determining the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the position; then determining the education as a percentage of the education required for the position; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for the position.

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.

Physical Demands: You must be able to perform the essential job functions described in the TSA Medical Guidelines for Explosives Detection Canine Handlers. Other physical demands include, but are not limited to:

- Ability to lift and carry up to 80 pounds for a continuous distance of 100 feet at waist or chest level.
- Ability to push and pull up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to walk continuously for a minimum of 1.5 hours without a break.
- Ability to stand continuously for a minimum of 1.5 hours without a break.
- Ability to sit continuously for up to 2 hours.
- Maintain physical ability to bend, kneel, squat, reach overhead, and run.
- Maintain ability to ascend and descend steep stairs and walk backwards.

Conditions of Employment:

TSA canine handlers are generally granted the use of a Government vehicle, typically referred to as Home-to-Work authority, for the efficient care and transportation of canines. The Department of Homeland Security prohibits authorization of Home-To Work Transportation to employees who live more than 50 miles from their duty station of record. Therefore, as a condition of employment, all persons hired to canine handler positions must reside within 50 miles (driving miles) of the official duty station for the position (unless waiver request is approved prior to entering on duty).

• Work may require driving or traveling by motor vehicle and occasionally involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risk or discomforts that require special safety precautions.
• You must meet and maintain medical requirements for EDCH as stated in the TSA Medical Guidelines for Explosives Detection Canine Handlers (for more information, click here).
• You must pass a Background Investigation (BI) and maintain eligibility for a clearance at the Secret level.
• You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
• You must pass pre-employment drug screening AND you will be subject to post-employment random drug and alcohol testing.
• You must hold and maintain a valid driver's license.
• You must obtain and maintain SIDA (Security Identification Display Area) driving privileges.
• You must maintain, at all times, housing suitable for the canine.
• You must successfully complete the TSA Canine Handler Training Course.
• You must successfully meet and maintain annual certification standards.
• You must successfully complete all NEDCTP-lead (National Explosives Detective Canine Team Program) training and assessment requirements.
• You must be available to work various shifts to include nights and weekends.
• You must be willing to undertake extensive travel, at times overnight, as required.
• You must be able and willing to safely work with various hazardous explosives and hazardous chemicals used in the regular and reoccurring training of canines.

**Candidates who accept a Tentative Job Offer will be required to successfully complete a medical evaluation, drug test, and pre-hire background investigation before they are eligible for a Final Job Offer. Moreover, current TSS-EDCH employees who are seeking a reassignment via the competitive hiring process must successfully complete each step in the hiring process, including retaking the CHAB after their results expire, as well as, undergoing the medical evaluation.**

***Please only select consideration for locations within 50 miles of your current residence or which you are willing to relocate at your own expense. Payment of relocation expenses (Permanent Change of Station) is not authorized. Vacancies for each location are not guaranteed until that duty location indicates that they have a vacancy.***

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.

For resume requirements please review the required documents section.

Utilizing the USAJOBS Resume Builder and completing all available fields is strongly encouraged.

You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

The candidates will be invited and required to take the USA Hire Assessment, which is a computer based test, soon after their application is submitted for this announcement. The assessment must be completed within the timeframe listed in the invitation in order to remain under consideration for the position. The score obtained will account for 100% of the overall score used to determine those who are best qualified for consideration.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Grouping procedures. Under Category Grouping, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:

• Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis.
• Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis.
• Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis.

If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.You may preview the questions for this vacancy here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12908494

NOTE: Your resume must clearly demonstrate how you meet this requirement; otherwise, you will be deemed ineligible. Additionally, copying and pasting information from the announcement into your resume will not adequately convey your qualifications.

Resume Requirements:

1. All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
2. Narrative description of duties with start and end dates (including month and year) for work experience.
3. Number of hours worked in a position (i.e., full-time or part-time). If part-time, (i.e., less than 40 hours per week) state the total number of hours worked per week.
4. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your performance level for federal civilian positions (i.e., band or grade).

If your resume does not contain this information, your application will be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position.

Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn), inappropriate content, classified information, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc. on your resume.

Utilizing the USAJOBS Resume Builder and completing all available fields is strongly encouraged.

Detail Documentation: Eligible applicants who wish to qualify for this position based upon experience obtained while serving on a detail with TSA must submit signed copies of the corresponding TSA form 1160, Terms And Conditions For Temporary Internal Assignment -Detail, or an SF-52, Request for Personnel Action, as supporting documentation along with their application otherwise the experience cannot be credited.

Transcripts: If you are qualifying based on education OR if there are mandatory education requirements listed under the Qualifications and Evaluations section, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript(s) with your application. If selected, an official/sealed college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment.

Veterans: If claiming VEOA or Veterans Preference- submit a copy of the official DD-214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an Honorable or General discharge). If no DD-214 is available, please submit a memo/certification of military service as outlined in the VOW Act. This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2,4, or 7 of the DD-214. If claiming veterans' consideration which involves considering your disability rating, you must submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces. Note: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15.

TSA Employees: Current TSA employees are strongly encouraged to submit the most recent non-Award SF-50, at the time of application, to support eligibility for Status consideration. TSA employees who do not submit the SF-50 with the application must document their current TSA position in their resume and may be required to provide the SF-50 document during the selection process. TSA employees may obtain a copy of their most recent non-Award SF-50 at https://eopf.opm.gov/dhs/.

Current or Former Federal Civilian employees (Non-TSA): You must submit a legible copy of a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. The SF-50 block 24 must contain a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must contain a "1" or "2."

Individuals with Disabilities: Documentation of eligibility for employment under this hiring authority can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. Documentation is used to verify that the individual being hired is indeed a person with an intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability.

Military Spouse Preference:If you are eligible based on one of the below, please submit the following:
(1) spouse of an active-duty member of the armed forces: DD214 of spouse, marriage license, and PCS orders showing dependency (if applicable)
(2) a spouse of a service member who is 100% disabled due to a service-connected injury: DD214 of spouse, marriage license, and VA Letter or disability determination showing 100%
(3) spouse of a service member killed while on active duty: DD214 of spouse, marriage license, documentation from the Armed Forces casualty office

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