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Wildlife Inspector (Canine)

Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Summary

The Wildlife Inspector (Canine), GS-1801-09/11, serves within Region 9, Chief, Office of Law Enforcement. The position carries out complex inspection and compliance duties and enforces federal laws governing the import, export, and interstate movement of live wildlife, wildlife parts, and wildlife products. The inspector uses a specialized canine to detect illegal shipments, support compliance efforts, and protect natural resources by preventing unlawful trade.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/20/2026 to 04/02/2026
Salary
$61,722 to - $97,087 per year

Salary shown is from the 2026 GS Salary Table (RUS). Final locality pay will be based on the geographic location at the time of selection.

Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Locations
San Diego, CA
1 vacancy
Torrance, CA
1 vacancy
Erlanger, KY
1 vacancy
Louisville, KY
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11 - May be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at the lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
R9-26-12900715-ALM-IMP
Control number
862032700

Duties

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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.

Requirements

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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
Salaries will be set based on the geographic locality pay for the assigned duty station. Locality pay tables are available at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/. Questions related to duty station placement should be addressed during the interview process.

Reasonable Accommodation: The FWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Additional information

PCS Information: No PCS entitlements authorized.

Telework: This position is suitable for telework only in an emergency or natural disaster.

Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) offices in the local commuting area.

Probation Period:The probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:

- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Promotion Potential: Promotion is at the supervisor's discretion and depends on satisfactory performance, the availability of higher-level work, and funding. The selectee may be promoted without further competition once all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Foreign Language Proficiency: Certain duty stations for this position may require basic to fluent proficiency in a foreign language, including speaking, reading, and writing.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): Department of the Interior Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the accomplishment record evaluation, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/".

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.

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.

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