Summary Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as training instructor, evaluator, technical advisor, and recognized authority for the evaluation, initial training, and selection of all potential Military Working Dogs (MWDs) in support of the Department of Defense (DoD), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and other Federal/Law Enforcement Agencies. Responsibilities Evaluates behavioral properties and psychological profiles of potential patrol/detector dogs to predict their future trainability and suitability for utilization within the DoD dog program. Manages the day-to-day evaluation, instruction, and pre-training preparation of procured detection and patrol dogs, addressing behavioral problems, maintaining or remediating/improving physical fitness, and as much as possible rendering these animals physically and psychologically ready for initial training at 341 TRS. Initiates comprehensive written reports associated with procurement and training of MWDs. Ensures proper adherence to Department of Defense (DoD), and Air Force (AF) procedures for the inspection, handling, storage, safety, and security of all explosives/drugs that are used for training of detector dogs. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Condition of Employment Continued: IAW, DoDI 3020-42, Defense Continuity Programs. In accordance with the Ethics in Government Act, 1978, Military Working Dog (MWD) procurement related personnel are required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, Non-Disclosure Agreement, and Conflict of Interest Agreement, and upon appointment and will be required to file annually. Personnel shall not engage in any personal, business, or professional activity or receive or retain any direct or indirect financial interest, which places them in a position of conflict between their private interest of their spouse, dependent children, or any household members is considered as their private interest. Position requires access to firearms. Persons convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence may not occupy this position in accordance with the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968, as amended 30 Sep 96. Employee must sign DD Form 2760, Qualification to Possess Firearms or Ammunition. IAW SA-2020-25 This position requires a physical/medical examination. The physical/medical requirements of this position as determined are: (Assignments regularly involve high levels of physical demands, including long periods of standing, bending, kneeling, twisting, running, and stooping to observe, study, physically evaluate, handle, and train military working dog.). In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions, Training Instruction Series 1712. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-07, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge with animal behavior, psychology, training methods, evaluation procedures, and basic veterinary needs of the working dogs; analyzing situations and resolve difficult issues and problems in assigned area of responsibility; working experience with principles, practices, and techniques of training puppies for the working dog program. OR EDUCATION: Successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B or J.D. with a major study in education or a subject area related to the position to be filled. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in­-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS- 07 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge in testing and evaluating untrained detector/patrol dogs in a training, testing, and evaluation environment, skill and knowledge in training and evaluating detector/patrol dogs in a training environment, from initial through advanced levels of training. Knowledge and extensive application in animal behavioral psychology to predict future trainability of untrained dogs. Knowledge in employing psychometric test instruments to characterize social, environmental, and motivational aspects of canine behavior and making appropriate accept/reject decisions based on a Statement of Work and consistent with dog procurement policy and procedures. Knowledge in assessing problematic patterns of canine behavior in veterinary, husbandry, and training contexts, making appropriate accept/reject decisions accordingly, and formulating and executing technically sound training plans to correct these behaviors, and/or instructing other personnel in same. Knowledge in handling, storage, safety, and security of explosives/drugs used for training purposes. Skill and ability to read, write, and effectively use computer applications for word-processing, development of quality instructional presentations, report writing, and to prepare briefings and communicate information to Flight Chief or other 341 TRS leadership about dog procurement, training preparation, psychological welfare, and trend analysis. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcript with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. ********************ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ACTIVE DUTY SERVICES MEMBERS******************** ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD-Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD-Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following: Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member Branch of Armed Forces Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s) Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty Terminal leave start date (if applicable) Expected character of service (honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement) Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander. Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form-214 must be submitted upon receipt Additional Information Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here. Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. 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 GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.