This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/582099900. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Securing Travel, Protecting People - At the Transportation Security Administration, you will serve in a high-stakes environment to safeguard the American way of life. In cities across the country, you would secure airports, seaports, railroads, highways, and/or public transit systems, thus protecting America's transportation infrastructure and ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce. For additional information about our agency please: Click Here
Learn more about this agency10/20/2020 to 11/02/2020
$43,207 - $66,943 per year
SV G
Many vacancies in the following locations:
No
Occasional travel - A minimum of one (1) week of travel in a full-time duty status will be required within 90-days of entry on duty to complete TSA’s in residence New Hire Training. This training will occur away from the employee’s duty station of record. Employees will be paid for compensable hours and reimbursed for authorized travel expenses per TSA Travel Policy.
No
Permanent
Full-time - Full Time
Excepted
H
1801 General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, And Compliance Series
No
Yes
HQ-SO-20-770829
582099900
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Current excepted service federal employees.
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Open to All U.S. Citizens and U.S. Nationals. Salary range listed does not include Locality Pay and Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) pay. Locality pay and COLA pay (when applicable) will be determined based on location.
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:
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.
You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
This position is not covered by Law Enforcement Availability Pay or Law Enforcement Retirement.
This is an emergency essential position.
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 SV-F or 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.
Note: For positions requiring positive education requirements, or if you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or an itemized list of college courses from an accredited college or university, which includes equivalent information from the transcript (course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned) in your resume. The information must be provided with the application by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, the applicant must supply a transcript or certification of degree.
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.
Note: 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.
Physical Demands: You must be able to perform the essential job functions described in the TSA Medical Guidelines for Explosives Detection Canine Handlers (for more information, click here). Other physical demands include, but are not limited to:
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).
**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.***
Eligibility to apply for other Federal positions: TSA is an Excepted Service agency exempt from most of Title 5 United States Code, including regulations which apply to displaced Federal employees (CTAP/ICTAP) of other agencies, and employment with TSA does not confer "Competitive Status" that generally results from selection and service in Competitive Service agencies. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has established an Interchange Agreement, which allows most permanent TSA employees to apply and be considered for vacancies in Competitive Service agencies. Information from OPM on this or other Interchange Agreements is available at: http://www.opm.gov .
To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation as a condition of placement into this position.
DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.
TSA employees who are absent for the purpose of performing military duty may apply for any vacancies announced in their absence.
It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual’s employment experience will be used only to determine the person’s qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Although an individual’s personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of an unfavorable suitability or fitness determination. For more information, click here .
Payment of relocation expenses (Permanent Change of Station) is not authorized.
Qualified non-competitive eligible candidates may be referred for consideration on a separate, unranked list.
More than one position may be filled from this announcement.
If you are entering TSA employment on an appointment without time limitations, you must serve a basic trial period unless you have already met the requirement.
This position is within the Technical category of TSA's Core Compensation Plan.
TSA policy requires verification of Selective Service registration for male applicants born after 12/31/59. For more information click here .
View common definitions of terms found in this announcement.
Veterans and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the documentation that is required, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on a comparison of the position requirements against the quality and extent of the experience and/or related education as reflected in your resume and supporting documentation. You are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show possession of the competencies required for this position. We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire. If, after reviewing your resume and any supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your category placement may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.
When completing the assessment questionnaire for this position, you will be prompted to elect if you wish for your application to be considered as External (where Veterans’ Preference applies), as Status (current or former Federal Employees), and/or Internal to TSA as a current permanent or competitive temporary employee. At that time, please select the answer(s) that apply to you and your application to this position.
The candidates with the highest self-assessment scores will be invited and required to take the Canine Handler Assessment Battery (CHAB), which is a computer based test, soon after the closing date of this announcement. The CHAB must be scheduled and completed within fourteen (14) calendar days of the invitation being sent in order to remain under consideration for the position. The score obtained on the CHAB will account for 100% of the overall score used to determine those who are best qualified for consideration.
Please Note: Candidates eligible for the CHAB will be required to travel at their own expense to the test location. The results for candidates who pass the CHAB are good for two (2) years from the date the test was taken. Conversely, results for candidates who fail will be applied to all active applications for a period of one (1) year from the date of the test. Candidates that do not attend their scheduled appointment within the 14-day limit will see a red “NQ” and will be found ineligible when applying for other TSS-EDCH positions for one (1) year. Please see the "What to Expect Next" section of this announcement for information regarding this process.
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, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF) and appropriate Desirable (Quality Ranking) Factors 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, including all SPFs 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, including all SPFs as determined by the job analysis.
In addition to a resume and the assessment questions, you must submit copies of any of the following documents if you are applying based on current or former Federal Government Status (if you are not a current TSA employee), Veterans' Preference, or education or a combination of education and experience:
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action - Current TSA employees are not required to submit an SF-50 to support eligibility for internal/status consideration.
If you are not a current TSA employee: you must submit your most recent personnel action SF-50 (or equivalent document) to support your eligibility for Status consideration. If you elect Status for the consideration of your application without submitting an SF-50 demonstrating your current or previous permanent Federal employment status, and you are not a current TSA employee, your application may not receive Status consideration.
DD-214 - If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, provide a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other appropriate documentation to prove your entitlement and to provide verification of an Honorable Discharge. Failure to provide this documentation will result in your application not receiving 5-point preference.
SF-15 and VA Letter - If you are claiming Veterans' Preference based upon a Compensable Disability, Widow or Spouse Entitlement, or as a Purple Heart recipient, you must submit your DD-214 or other proof of entitlement; an SF-15, and the required proof of disability, i.e., Department of Veterans Affairs letter dated 1991 or later. Failure to provide this documentation will result in your application not receiving 10-point preference.
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.
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.
Please Note: All of the following must be received in our office by 11:59 PM EST (Eastern Standard Time) on the closing date of this announcement. If we do not receive all required information by the closing date, your application may not be considered.
Your application must include:
1. Resume
2. Self Assessment Questionnaire for this position
3. Applicable supporting documents (see Required Documents Section)
Click the "Apply Online" button below and follow the prompts to apply.
We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the TSA HRAccess Help Desk before the closing of this announcement for alternative options on how to apply. The Helpdesk is available by phone at 1-877-872-7990 between the hours of: 7:00AM - 10:00PM ET Monday - Friday, 11:00AM - 3:00PM ET Saturday, or 12:00PM - 4:00PM ET Sunday. If outside these hours, please email your question or concern to Helpdesk@TSA-HRAccess.com or fax 1-877-872-7993.
When contacting the Helpdesk please provide your contact information, the Job Announcement Number of the position you are interested in, and your questions or concerns.
The candidates with the highest self-assessment scores will be invited and required to take the Canine Handler Assessment Battery (CHAB), which is a computer based test, soon after the closing date of this announcement. The CHAB must be scheduled and completed within fourteen (14) calendar days of the invitation being sent in order to remain under consideration for the position. The score obtained on the CHAB will account for 100% of the overall score used to determine those who are best qualified for consideration.
Please Note: Candidates eligible for the CHAB will be required to travel at their own expense to the test location. The results for candidates who pass the CHAB are good for two (2) years from the date the test was taken. Conversely, results for candidates who fail will be applied to all active applications for a period of one (1) year from the date of the test. Candidates that do not attend their scheduled appointment within the 14-day limit will see a red “NQ” and will be found ineligible when applying for other TSS-EDCH positions for one (1) year. Please see the "What to Expect Next" section of this announcement for information regarding this process.
For additional information about the TSA and employment, please visit: http://www.tsa.gov/careers.
Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. (This position is not considered scientific/professional.) Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans’ preference .
The questionnaire in conjunction with your resume will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum experience requirements for the position. If so, then the CHAB results will be used to assess your qualifications for the job, and will be used to identify the best qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We will notify you of the outcome of these steps when they have been completed. You may also check your application status by visiting the Candidate Dashboard.
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities concerning, 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.
If your CHAB score places you within the threshold of Best Qualified, you will be referred for selection as vacancies become available at the location for which you requested consideration. You will remain eligible to be referred until you are selected and accept a Tentative Job Offer (TJO), or withdraw your application. Once a qualified candidate has accepted a Tentative Job Offer from an airport, they will no longer be referred to any additional airports until the candidate updates their preferred duty location list as part of a future semi-annual nation-wide JOA application process. Conversely, candidates who decline a TJO at a particular airport will not be referred to that airport again in the future unless they indicate that airport is a preferred duty station during another semi-annual announcement.
Qualified applicants with passing CHAB scores will remain in the TSS-EDCH ready pool and be available for selection at each of their preferred duty stations until the next nation-wide JOA is posted that immediately follows the two-year anniversary date of their CHAB results. Candidates whose results expired as of the opening date of this semi-annual nation-wide announcement will need to reapply. In the event a candidate wishes to update their duty station preferences while they reside in the ready pool, they may do so while the semi-annual nation-wide JOA is open on USAJOBS.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/582099900. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS.