Clarification from the agency

FWS-wide: Open to current U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees serving under a Career or Career-Conditional appointment, Land Management eligibles, CTAP.

The Wildlife Inspector (Canine Handler) serves as a front-line law enforcement officer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Office of Law Enforcement. This critical role protects wildlife resources by enforcing import and export laws, regulating wildlife trade, and deterring illegal trafficking through canine-assisted inspections. The position operates at designated and non-designated ports of entry (i.e., airports, ocean ports, land borders and inland stations) where wildlife shipments are processed. Major duties include:

• Planning and conducting inspections of wildlife imports and exports to ensure compliance with U.S. and international laws; applying risk profiles, verifying permits, and preparing reports.
• Collaborating with law enforcement on investigations of illegal wildlife trade; collecting and preserving evidence, identifying suspects, and testifying in legal proceedings.
• Deploying and managing a trained wildlife detection canine; conducting maintenance training, maintaining certifications, and ensuring proper care, nutrition, and housing.
• Conducting outreach activities to promote compliance with wildlife laws; advising stakeholders on inspection procedures and assisting in developing guidelines and directives.
• Preparing reports and correspondence; operating automated inspection systems; maintaining records and performing related tasks such as vehicle operation and evidence custody.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Drug testing position: Selectees tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Driver’s License: This position requires the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties. Selectee must hold and maintain a valid state driver’s license throughout their employment in this position.
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
• As a condition of employment, this position may require a 1-year probationary period during which performance and fitness for continued federal service are evaluated in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Position requires federal financial disclosure. Individuals appointed must complete OGE Form 278e (Public Financial Disclosure) or OGE Form 450 (Confidential Financial Disclosure) within 30 days of entering the position.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration, visit SSS.gov.
• This position requires completion of an agency-approved wildlife inspection canine certification course and ongoing maintenance of annual canine-handler certification for the duration of employment.
• This position may require working at a fixed workstation or at multiple stations/work sites under established, rotating, or other work schedules.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 04/02/2026 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position, you must possess the Minimum Qualification.

Minimum Qualification GS-11:
One (1) year of full-time specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level (comparable to GS-09) in the Federal government. Specialized experience includes 1) Independently planning and conducting inspections of wildlife shipments at ports of entry, applying risk-targeting profiles, and verifying permits; 2) Leading enforcement actions, collaborating with law enforcement on civil and criminal investigations, collecting and preserving evidence, and testifying in legal proceedings; 3) Deploying and managing wildlife detection canines, including conducting advanced maintenance training, maintaining certifications, and ensuring proper care and housing; 4) Developing outreach strategies to promote compliance with wildlife laws, advising stakeholders, and resolving operational issues; 5) Preparing detailed reports, directives, and case documentation; operating automated inspection systems, and managing program data for evaluation. -OR- Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M, in a field of study directly related to the position. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of graduate education and specialized experience, as described above, which together equals 100% of the qualification requirements. Only graduate education beyond the first two (2) years may be combined with specialized experience.

Minimum Qualification GS-09:
One (1) year of full-time specialized experience comparable to difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level (comparable to GS-07) in the Federal government. Specialized experience includes 1) Assisting in inspections of wildlife imports and exports to ensure compliance with U.S. and international laws; 2) Using a trained wildlife detection canine under supervision to identify smuggled wildlife; 3) Supporting investigations by collecting evidence and preparing basic reports; 4) Maintaining canine care and training records and conducting routine maintenance training; 5) Performing administrative tasks such as data entry, recordkeeping, and preparing correspondence related to inspections. -OR- Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in an accredited college or university leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., in a field of study directly related to the position. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above, which together equals 100% of the qualification requirements. Only graduate education beyond the first year may be combined with specialized 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: Work requires frequent lifting of items up to 50 pounds and handling a canine weighing up to 80 pounds. Duties include pushing, pulling, and navigating obstacles in inspection areas. The incumbent may encounter wildlife bites or scratches, venomous species, zoonotic diseases, and chemicals used on wildlife products as part of inspection activities.

Work Environment: Work occurs in offices and inspection locations such as ports, cargo facilities, and terminals, often outdoors in adverse weather. Risks include falling objects, loud noise, hostile passengers, wildlife-related injuries, communicable diseases, and hazardous chemicals. Use of protective clothing, safety equipment, and adherence to safety procedures is required.

Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically,
i. Area of Consideration.
ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.
iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions.

Duty Stations: This position requires on-site presence. The selected applicant will be expected to report to one of the following Agency's offices, with the specific workstation to be determined by the Agency upon selection. A total of six (6) candidates will be selected - one (1) for each of the following locations:

• San Diego, California
• Torrance, California
• Erlanger, Kentucky
• Louisville, Kentucky
• Memphis, Tennessee
• El Paso, Texas

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 for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

You will be evaluated based on how your application materials reflect the qualification requirements of this position. Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are minimally qualified for this job, HR will complete a review of your resume and supporting documentation.

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications requirement(s), the best qualified candidates will be identified through a structured resume review panel that will result in issuing a ranking referral list to the hiring manager. The panel will measure the specialized experience and critical competencies and/or job elements listed below that are required to successfully perform in the position.

GS -11 Grade Level:

• Knowledge of wildlife trade laws, inspection and investigative methods, species identification, and Customs regulations.
• Ability to communicate wildlife import/export requirements, resolve issues, and prepare clear, accurate reports and presentations.
• Skill in training and maintaining wildlife inspection canines for scent detection, including ongoing reinforcement and performance monitoring.
• Ability to develop and adjust canine scent-detection training plans based on observed canine performance in collaboration with Lead Trainers.

GS -09 Grade Level:

• Knowledge of wildlife trade laws, inspection and investigative methods, species identification, and Customs regulations.
• Ability to communicate wildlife import/export requirements, resolve issues, and prepare clear, accurate reports and presentations.
• Skill in training and maintaining wildlife inspection canines for scent detection, including ongoing reinforcement and performance monitoring.

Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

You must submit a complete application package. We will not make assumptions about your experience and/or education.

Required Documents:
1. Resume: You may submit only one resume. Only the document uploaded as the "Resume" document type will be used to determine your qualifications and for rating. Your resume must clearly describe your job-related qualifications, including paid and unpaid experience, job titles, beginning and ending dates (month/year), hours worked per week, and a description of your duties. You are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or another format, you must still provide all required details. Your resume must contain complete information for each job to support minimum qualification determinations. Failure to provide all required information will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. Note: Current and former Federal employees must include pay plan, series, and grade for all relevant experience.

• Do not include the following types of information in your resume:
  • Classified or government sensitive information
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Photos of yourself
  • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
  • Encrypted and digitally signed documents.

2. SF-50: Non-award, or equivalent Notification of Personnel Action if you are a current or former Federal employee. Your SF-50 (non-award) must show tenure code 1 or 2 in block 24, and position occupied code 1 (competitive service) in block 34. If you have previously held a higher grade than the grade/position you currently occupy, you must submit a copy of the last non-award SF-50 you received for that position.

If you have any questions regarding which SF-50's to submit, it is recommended that you contact the person listed on this vacancy announcement before the closing date.

3. Applicants applying under PL-114-47, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, must submit documentation verifying eligibility. Required documentation includes: First and last SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) for each appointment verifying the Position Occupied code (block 34, code 1-Competitive Service), AND Documentation of satisfactory performance for each appointment, such as, performance evaluations, memorandum of record, whereas the supervisor(s) documented an acceptable performance level for a specified rating/employment period. Failure to submit required documentation may result in loss of consideration. Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment if you are requesting to be considered Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act eligibility.

4. Performance Appraisal: Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g., superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

Additional Documentation if applicable:
1. Cover Letter

2. College Transcripts: Please refer to the education section above for additional information. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A copy of your official transcripts may be required if you are selected.

3. Veterans' Preference Documentation: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 Member Copy 2 or 4 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. (i.e., VA letter). You may not be awarded preference if you do not attach the correct Veteran Documentation as specified above.

4. CTAP Documentation: If you are applying under CTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP eligible.

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Next steps

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