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Police Officer - Wellness Support Dog Handler

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
05/07/2026 to 05/29/2026
Salary
$90,853 - $147,928 per year
Pay scale & grade
LP 03
Location
1 vacancy 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
req744
Control number
868403200

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 within the Howard C. Liebengood Center for Wellness.  The Wellness Support Dog Handler (WSDH) is a dedicated individual who is responsible for providing mental and emotional support to USCP employees. This role involves utilizing the Wellness Support Dog (WSD) to assist officers and staff in managing stress, mental health challenges, and promoting overall well-being. The WSDH will be responsible for the care, training, and deployment of the WSD, ensuring the animal is effectively integrated into the department's wellness program.

Duties:
Manage the WSD’s health, training, safety, and well-being, including feeding, grooming, and veterinary care, while ensuring the WSD effectively supports mental health.
•Collaborate with other wellness team members, leadership, and mental health professionals, support officers, and professional staff through visits, activities, and wellness events.
•Conduct community outreach to enhance public relations, represent the Department at events promoting the WSD and mental health resources, and provide emotional support and stress mitigation to officers and professional staff.
•Provide education on the benefits of accessing services through the Howard C. Liebengood Center for Wellness and participate in wellness activities and events to promote stress relief and morale.
•Monitor and evaluate the wellness support dog program’s impact, gather employee feedback, and continuously enhance its effectiveness.
•Document all contacts and interactions, ensuring no confidential or identifying information is included. This helps evaluate the mission’s effectiveness and highlights areas for improvement, ultimately showcasing its success.
Selectee will be assigned to this position at the Howard C. Liebengood Center for Wellness on a full-time basis.
This position is not a Technician position, nor is it eligible for Technician pay. 

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 canine Physical Abilities Test (PAT).

Qualifications

All applicants must meet the following eligibility factors in order to be considered for the position of the wellness dog handler:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Candidates must submit a letter of approval from their homeowner's association to approve the housing of a canine. If you do not have a homeowner's association, submit a statement to that effect.

4. Must have or be able to successfully complete Critical Incident/Stress Management Training.

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

6 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)).

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

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

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

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. This position will be full-time assigned to the Howard C. Liebengood Center for Wellness. This position is not a Technician position, nor is it eligible for Technician pay.

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 and an unscheduled leave check 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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