PDF versionJob Summary
As a Plant Protection and Quarantine Officer (Canine Handler), you serve in a vital role to safeguard U.S agriculture and natural resources. The work includes managing canine training, handling and utilization to minimize the risk of biological and economic damage caused by exotic, non-native plant and animal organisms to agriculture, natural resources and U.S. trade initiatives.
Major Duties
- The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to:
- Uses a detector dog to inspect commodities and conveyances.
- Performs daily animal husbandry tasks, including training and modifying canine behaviors.
- Anticipates and provides solutions for problems in areas such as: post entry quarantine, biological control, biotechnology, noxious weeds.
- Plant pest exclusion, complex treatments, export activities, permitting and compliance, and pest detection activities.
- Identifies or verifies identification of noxious weeds and plant pests, such as plant pathogens, insects and nematodes, and plant pest hosts and geographical distribution.
- Interprets and enforces Federal and parallel State domestic quarantines and regulatory orders.
- Serve as accredited certifying official regarding export certification.
- Identifies when regulated sites, facilities, and commodities shall be inspected or re-inspected.
- Provides recommendations to the supervisors and staff on design and development of guidelines, operational standards and procedures.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
A Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-5 grade level) that demonstrates:
- Knowledge of pertinent regulations, policies, and procedures of agricultural quarantine principles pertaining to import/export certification.
- Knowledge of pertinent regulations, policies, and procedures of agricultural quarantine principles pertaining to quarantine treatments
- Knowledge of pertinent regulations, policies, and procedures of agricultural quarantine principles pertaining to compliance activities and regulated sites, facilities, and commodities.
- Knowledge of biological and scientific principles, techniques of collection and identification.
- Knowledge of canine care and behavior in order to train dogs
- Knowledge of inspections and detection involving canine handling
- Knowledge of routine canine inspection and canine utilization techniques to support operational mission. OR
1 year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a masters degree. OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND must meet certain GPA requirements. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-7 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Pay Range
$36,356.00 - $47,264.00