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Police Officer (Special Operations Division, K-9 Technician)

Legislative Branch
U.S. Capitol Police

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.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/26/2026 to 04/19/2026
Salary
$90,853 to - $147,928 per year
Pay scale & grade
LP 03
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Washington, DC
Many vacancies
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional Travel
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
03
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
req710
Control number
862727000

This job is open to

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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

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This position is located in the K-9 Section, Special Operations Division, Operational Services Bureau. The K-9 Section provides a wide range of explosive detection capabilities, security sweeps, and other responsibilities assigned to support the mission of the Department.

Duties:
Handles and uses trained canines in various settings and activities involving the protection of Congress, its Members, employees, visitors, and the Capitol building facilities, including but not limited to explosive detection, anti-terrorism, security sweeps, and event security.

Performs surveillance of suspects, and violators to identify and apprehend suspects, bomb threats, and suspicious activities. Conducts explosive detection sweeps, and urban detection operations for the protection of life and property on the Capitol grounds.

Responsible for directing canines to perform explosive detection searches of building, office areas, vehicles (to include all modes of transportation), screen all cargo, loading docks and warehouses, parcel pick-up, shipping, receiving, packages, materials and persons as directed by proper authority and consistent with canine training.
Seeks, detects, and protects all evidence, victims, and witnesses and performs all law enforcement activities as assigned.

Responsible for caring for issued canine at home and at work.  May also be assigned to care for other canines kenneled at the Department kennel.

The results of this vacancy announcement selection process will be used to fill positions within the K-9 Section. More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement. The selection list for this vacancy announcement will be active for a period of 12 months from the date of the approved selection memorandum.

Requirements

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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 K-9 Physical Abilities Test (PAT).

Qualifications

All applicants must meet the following eligibility factors in order to be considered for the position of K-9 Technician:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Must have a residence with a yard large enough to accommodate the issued K-9 portable outdoor E/Z kennel. Candidates must submit a letter of approval from their homeowner's association to erect a kennel and will be required to submit approval with their application. If you do not have a homeowner's association, submit a statement to that effect.

4. Must not be in restricted leave status as of the selection date.

5. 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)).

6. Must be available to work flexible and/or additional hours.

7. Must possess and maintain a valid Real ID U.S. driver's license.

8. Must be able to obtain and maintain a government issued travel card.

RETENTION CRITERIA
Failure to comply with any of the following retention factors will be grounds for mandatory removal from the K-9 Program and will result in reassignment to a different position, demotion, or separation by appropriate procedures.
1. Must successfully complete the USCP K-9 Explosive Detection Training Program (Approximately 12 - 16 weeks in length) or a certified Vapor-Wake training program (Approximately 12 - 16 weeks if assigned as a Person Borne Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED) handler); and any other required training programs.
2. Canine Handler Certification: The selected candidate must successfully complete the canine handler training and certification program as designated by USCP. Selected candidates must successfully complete annual certification as a K-9 technician according to the set standards established by the Department.
3. Must successfully complete the Special Operations Division Field Training Officer (FTO) program.
4. Must maintain proper care of assigned canine, Home to Work vehicle (HTW) and home kennel.
5. The selected candidate must be able to home board a dog in their residence (i.e., maintain the dog in a safe and approved environment, with no problematic family allergies to dogs, etc.) and be willing to give up other pets if they are not compatible with the assigned canine.
6. Must complete a one-year probationary period from the date rank of Technician is obtained.
7. Must be willing to work any shift assigned.
8. Must be able to obtain and maintain a USCP travel credit card. This position requires travel, and selected candidate must be able to travel outside the Washington Metropolitan area as required.
9. Must maintain a valid REAL ID U.S. driver's license.
10. Complete Incident Command System (ICS) courses ICS-100 and ICS-200 (https://training.fema.gov/nims/).

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. NOTE: More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement. The selection list will be active for a period of one (1) year from the date of approval of the selection memorandum. An applicant may request to be removed from consideration by sending a written request to the Office of Human Resources.

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.

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 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.

U.S. Capitol Police

We protect the legislative process, the symbol of our democracy, the U.S. Capitol, the people who carry out the legislative process, and the millions of visitors who travel here to see democracy in action. Every American who visits the Capitol-as well as visitors from around the world-become part of our protected community. They see the USCP first-hand as the best of America's spirit and diversity. As a Department, we are a microcosm of America, representing many races, colors, religions, national origins, political affiliations, sexual orientations, and ages. Our workforce is comprised of employees from nearly all 50 states and the U.S. territories. We embrace and celebrate a diverse workforce, believing that inclusiveness makes our workplace stronger. The USCP respects each individual as a person and as a professional. The USCP acts on the world stage every day as a model in security, urban crime prevention, dignitary protection, specialty response capability, and homeland security. We are often the first face that visitors and employees encounter, and we leave a lasting impression that reflects the Legislative Branch and its role in America's democracy.

Agency contact information

Email
Lori.Mallalieu@uscp.gov
Address
Office of Human Resources
119 D Street NE
Washington, DC 20510

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