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Police Officer (Canine Handler)

Department of the Army
United States Army Installation Management Command
Directorate of Emergency Services

Summary

About the Position: The primary purpose of the position is to perform law enforcement (LE) work to maintain law and order, preserve the peace, protect life and civil rights, detect and investigate crimes, arrest or apprehend violators, and perform patrols within the jurisdiction of the military installation as a Military Working Dog (MWD) Handler.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/07/2026 to 04/14/2026
Salary
$55,882 - $72,644 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 8
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fort Buchanan, PR
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
MCFU-26-12913089-MP
Control number
863962000

Duties

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  • Direct traffic by setting up roadblocks, conducting traffic patrols or issuing citations.
  • Perform first aid until medical emergency personnel arrive.
  • Conduct investigations utilizing a Military Working Dog (MWD) such as searching out illegal narcotics or taking suspected violators into custody.
  • Provide care for all Military Working Dogs (MWD) on weekends.
  • Conduct training of assigned Military Working Dog (MWD) to maintain proficiency in utilization areas.
  • Appear/testify in Military Court Martials or Federal and State Court proceedings.
  • Operates the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) terminal in accordance with federal and state laws to transcribe data.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Successfully graduated from the United States Army Civilian Police Academy or willingness to attend the United States Army Civilian Police Academy after appointment.
  • Successfully graduated from the Department of Defense, Military Working Dog Handler Course or complete within one year of appointment.
  • Must be able to successfully pass training, certification and qualification requirements related to LE and MWD work functions as prescribed by policy, regulations or statutes; weapons qualifications, first aid/CPR and NIMS training requirements.
  • Incumbent must meet the requirements of AR 190-56: Successfully pass a pre-employment and recurring medical / psychiatric evaluation.
  • Pass a Physical Agility Test (PAT) within 30 days of hire date and annually thereafter. Comply with and maintain the requirements of the Individual Reliability Program (IRP).
  • This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) and is covered by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Program.
  • The 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968 covers this position. Persons convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence are not eligible for this position.
  • Must possess a valid state driver's license and be able to obtain and maintain a government motor vehicle operator's license.
  • Incumbent must be able obtain and maintain a valid Tier 3 (Secret) security investigation.
  • Incumbent is subject to possible civil action due to improper exercises of authority or injudicious use of force in the apprehension or detention of individuals.
  • This position has been designated "Mission Essential". In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations (natural or man-made disaster) the incumbent is required to report to work.
  • Official Temporary Duty (TDY) may be required occasionally.
  • Federal law requires removal of federal law enforcement officers convicted of felonies IAW The Omnibus Federal Budget Bill for Fiscal Year 2001 (Public Law 106-554).

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

  • 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI)
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998
  • Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

One year of specialized experience which includes 1.) Participating in a Military Working Dog or Canine Handler/Decoy training program, 2.) Conducting traffic law enforcement patrol, 3.) Handling a working dog when responding to/investigating emergency calls and 4.) Utilizing law enforcement computer programs to compose incident reports. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone -- no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:

  • Computer Literacy
  • Criminal Investigation
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Traffic Control


Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-07).

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a Physical Security and Law Enforcement Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • Recruitment and relocations may be authorized.
  • Student loan repayment may be authorized.
  • Salary negotiations for those candidates who are new to Federal service may be authorized.
  • Credit for prior non-federal work experience and certain military service for determining annual leave accrual rate may be authorized.

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.

As part of the assessment process, your resume will be evaluated using a competency-based method. This structured evaluation measures your qualifications, experience, and skills against the core competencies required for the position. Final scores will determine whether you are referred to the Hiring Manager for further consideration.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

You may claim Military Spouse preference.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

United States Army Installation Management Command

Civilian employees serve a vital role in supporting the Army mission. They provide the skills that are not readily available in the military, but crucial to support military operations. The Army integrates the talents and skills of its military and civilian members to form a Total Army.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
FU-W1H1AA US ARMY IMCOM-USAG FT BUCHANAN
DO NOT MAIL
Fort Buchanan, PR 00934
US

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