Animal Caretaker

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Training and Development, United States Border Patrol Canine Academy located in El Paso, TX and Field Operations Canine Academy located in Front Royal, VA.
Hourly Rate: The hourly rate listed reflects the El Paso, Texas (RUS) wage schedule. Refer to the Federal Wage (FWS) website for additional wage schedule and hourly rate information.Qualifications: Qualification requirements emphasis is on quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.
To minimally qualify for the WG-06 grade level, you must meet the Screen Out Element: Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. To meet the screen out element, you should have experience performing the following duties:

• Handling the day-to-day care of animals.
• Working independently, making decisions, showing job responsibility, and exercising initiative.
• Observing animals for obvious changes of appearance and activity.
• Understanding and following instructions and exhibiting dexterity and working safely.
• Using tools and cleaning supplies and working in a safe manner.

Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

In addition to the experience described above, you will also be evaluated on the basis of your overall level of competency (knowledge, skills, and abilities) in the following areas:

• Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment.
• Ability to Inspect.
• Ability to Interpret Instructions, specifications, other than blueprints.
• Ability To Provide Production Support Service.
• Use of Measuring Instruments.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.
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.
You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 03/12/2024.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information, review the following links: Background investigation and the e-QIP process.
Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.Education: Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.
Employment Type: FULL_TIME