Transportation Security Administration Logo
Position Title
Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives Detection Canine Handler
Agency
Transportation Security Administration
Announcement Number
SO-22-742963-11661818-P Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, October 6, 2022 to Thursday, October 20, 2022
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Displaced Employee?  To be eligible you must meet one or more of the following:
  • A current (OR former) employee of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) who will be (OR has been) separated through TSA involuntary workforce reduction (IWR) procedures AND I am eligible to be considered for TSA positions for all areas of consideration, for up to one year after the effective date of my involuntary separation; 
  • A former TSA Transportation Security Officer (TSO) eligible for rehiring priority under the Priority Employment Program (PEP);
  • An applicant for a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) position who has had my enter-on-duty (EOD) date delayed or offer rescinded due to a workforce reduction or anticipated reduction eligible for priority consideration under the Priority Employment Program (PEP).
If you indicate eligibility for priority consideration and exemption from Area of Consideration restrictions, you must submit a copy of the official notification that supports the eligibility at the time of application.
(limit characters)
3. Reasonable Accommodations for taking the online assessments are provided on a case-by-case basis only to qualified individuals with a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended.

Do you have a disability (physical or mental) that you believe will interfere with completing the online assessments and require a Reasonable Accommodation?

(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. You may only select up to 5 location(s). (limit characters)
Please respond whether or not you have been convicted* of the offense listed within the past 10 years. (Note: By responding "Yes" to any of these, you will be removed from consideration for this position.)

*You have a conviction if you plead no contest (nolo contendere), plead guilty, were found guilty, or found not guilty by reason of insanity, to any of the listed disqualifying offenses. The only exceptions are if your guilty plea or conviction has been reversed on appeal, your conviction has been expunged, or you have been pardoned.
(limit characters)
2. Forgery of certificates, false marking of aircraft, and other aircraft registration violations. (limit characters)
3. Interference with air navigation. (limit characters)
4. Improper transportation of hazardous material. (limit characters)
5. Aircraft piracy. (limit characters)
6. Interference with flight crew members or flight attendants. (limit characters)
7. Commission of certain crimes aboard aircraft in flight. (limit characters)
8. Carrying a weapon or explosive aboard aircraft. (limit characters)
9. Conveying false information and threats. (limit characters)
10. Aircraft piracy outside the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. (limit characters)
11. Lighting violation involving transporting controlled substances. Essentially, this means that if you have been convicted of transporting illegal drugs in a plane without activating the navigation or anti-collision lights you are disqualified. (limit characters)
12. Unlawful entry into an aircraft area that serves air carriers or foreign air carriers contrary to established security requirements. (limit characters)
13. Destruction of an aircraft or either a domestic or international aircraft facility. It is a federal crime to use any device, substance or weapon, to intentionally perform an act of violence against any person at an airport or to destroy or seriously damage the facilities of such an airport. (limit characters)
14. Murder. (limit characters)
15. Assault with intent to murder. (limit characters)
16. Espionage. (limit characters)
17. Sedition (inciting insurrection against lawful authority). (limit characters)
18. Kidnapping or hostage taking. (limit characters)
19. Treason. (limit characters)
20. Rape or aggravated sexual abuse. (limit characters)
21. Unlawful possession, use, sale, distribution, or manufacture of an explosive or weapon. (limit characters)
22. Extortion. (limit characters)
23. Armed or felony armed robbery. (limit characters)
24. Distribution of, or intent to distribute a controlled substance. (limit characters)
25. Felony arson. (limit characters)
26. Felony involving a threat. (limit characters)
27. Felony involving willful destruction of property. (limit characters)
28. Felony involving importation or manufacture of a controlled substance. (limit characters)
29. Felony involving burglary. (limit characters)
30. Felony involving theft. (limit characters)
31. Felony involving dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation. (limit characters)
32. Felony involving possession or distribution of stolen property. (limit characters)
33. Felony involving aggravated assault. (limit characters)
34. Felony involving bribery. (limit characters)
35. Felony involving illegal possession of a controlled substance punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of more than 1 year, or any other crime classified as a felony that the Under Secretary determines indicates a propensity for placing contraband aboard an aircraft in return for money. (limit characters)
36. Violence at international airports. (limit characters)
37. Conspiracy or attempt to commit any of the criminal acts listed above. (limit characters)
38. Interference with security screening personnel. (limit characters)
Please respond whether or not you have been separated (e.g., terminated, removed, or resigned while a proposed termination or removal was pending) from TSA for any of the following reasons after July 27, 2017.

Note: By responding "Yes" to any of these, you will be removed from consideration for this position
(limit characters)
39. Were you separated due to unacceptable performance? (limit characters)
40. Were you separated due to misconduct? (limit characters)
41. Were you separated due to receiving a negative suitability determination from the Personnel Security Division? (limit characters)
42. Did you resign after receiving a proposed removal letter? (limit characters)
All the information you provide may be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application form, by checking references and through other means, such as the interview process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. (limit characters)
43. Does the TSA employ any of your relatives? (limit characters)
44. How did you hear about this opportunity?
 
(limit characters)
Additional Requirements
1. I am able to lift and carry a dog weighing up to 80 pounds for a continuous distance of 100 feet at waist or chest level. (limit characters)
2. I understand that as a Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives Detection Canine Handler (TSS-EDCH), I will be required to perform physical tasks, including but not limited to: pushing and pulling up to 50 pounds; walking continuously for 1.5 hours or longer without taking a break; standing continuously for 1.5 hours or longer without taking a break; sitting continuously for up to 2 hours; bending, kneeling, squatting, reaching overhead, and running; as well as ascending and descending steep stairs and walking backwards. (limit characters)
3. I understand that I may be deployed to a duty location other than my home location for extended periods of time, depending upon operational needs. (limit characters)
4. I understand that if selected as a TSS-EDCH, I will be required to successfully complete a basic canine handler course of approximately 12 weeks in duration and that I will be required to stay at the training location during that time. (limit characters)
5. I understand that as a TSS-EDCH, I will have to successfully meet all TSS- EDCH assessment and certification requirements, including passing annual certification with my assigned canine, in order to maintain my position as a TSS-EDCH, and that failure to do so may result in removal from employment with TSA. (limit characters)
6. I understand that if selected as a TSS-EDCH, I will be responsible for the care, health, and welfare of my assigned government canine to include feeding, bathing, grooming, exercising, regular health checks, and emergency care when required, even if that means I must change or cancel my personal plans. (limit characters)
7. I understand that as a TSS-EDCH, I will be responsible for the safe and lawful operation of a government issued vehicle. I also understand that I will be required to maintain sanitary conditions of my assigned government vehicle, and that a TSA Canine Manager will inspect the vehicle for cleanliness upon prior notice. (limit characters)
8. I understand that as a TSS-EDCH, I will be required to handle and maintain control of explosives in the performance of my duties. (limit characters)
9. I understand that as a condition of employment, I must reside within 50-miles of my official duty station. (limit characters)
10. I understand that as a condition of employment, I must hold and maintain a valid driver's license, and must obtain and maintain SIDA (Security identification Display Area) driving privileges. (limit characters)
11. I understand that answering NO to any of these job awareness questions will remove me from further consideration for this position. (limit characters)
The following questions are regarding previous canine handler experience. These questions are unscored and will not impact your self-assessment rating. (limit characters)
12. Do you currently hold or have you previously held a Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives Detection Canine Handler (TSS-EDCH) or Transportation Security Inspector - Explosive Detection Canine Handler (TSI-EDCH) position with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at any pay band? (limit characters)
13. Do you have previous professional canine experience? (limit characters)
14. How many years of previous professional canine handler experience do you have? (limit characters)
15. What type of Canine Handler experience did you possess? (limit characters)
16. f you answered "Other" to the previous question, please describe what type of Canine Handler experience you possess. (limit 100 characters)
Assessment 1
Please answer all of the questions listed below. Errors or omissions may affect your consideration for employment. Remember that your experience is subject to verification. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
1. Do you possess 3 years of general work experience, one year equivalent to the SV-F OR GS-4 in the Federal service or equivalent in the private sector which shows the ability to analyze problems, gather data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; communicate effectively orally and in writing; OR do you possess a bachelor's or higher-level degree from an accredited college or university in any field; OR a combination of education and experience as outlined in the vacancy announcement?
(limit characters)
2. Coordinating with others to conduct threat assessment and/or mitigation activities.
(limit characters)
3. Interacting with the public to respond to inquiries and maintain a calm environment.
(limit characters)
4. Using security techniques and available intelligence information to determine where to focus attention.
(limit characters)
5. Please indicate where in your resume (e.g., position title, work experience, education, etc.) your ratings for the above questions can be verified. The information you provide in the text box below will only be used to help reviewers find verifying information in your resume. The information you provide in the text box will not be evaluated or rated.
(limit 250 characters)
6. Compiling and/or organizing data from a variety of sources.
(limit characters)
7. Maintaining files, documents, and/or records (e.g., training documentation, vehicle usage/maintenance data, work activities/time).
(limit characters)
8. Using standard word processing software (e.g., Microsoft Word) to draft, review, and revise correspondence, reports, or other documents.
(limit characters)
9. Using software systems and databases to track and/or analyze information.
(limit characters)
10. Preparing all necessary documentation related to a variety of situations, activities, and/or issues (e.g., incident reports).
(limit characters)
11. Please indicate where in your resume (e.g., position title, work experience, education, etc.) your ratings for the above questions can be verified. The information you provide in the text box below will only be used to help reviewers find verifying information in your resume. The information you provide in the text box will not be evaluated or rated.
(limit 250 characters)
12. Which of the following statements best describes your experience ensuring the accuracy of information and work products?
(limit characters)
13. From the list below, select all of the technical or instructional documents you have experience interpreting and applying.
(limit characters)
14. Please indicate where in your resume (e.g., position title, work experience, education, etc.) your ratings for the above questions can be verified. The information you provide in the text box below will only be used to help reviewers find verifying information in your resume. The information you provide in the text box will not be evaluated or rated.
(limit 250 characters)
15. From the following statements, identify the highest level of problem-solving activity that you have performed.
(limit characters)
16. Which of the following best represents the highest role you have held in which you made decisions or recommendations regarding operational procedures in an organization?
(limit characters)
17. From the following list of responses, indicate all the approaches you have successfully used to analyze and evaluate new information to make a decision.
(limit characters)
18. Which of the following responses best describes your typical approach to making a decision in a time sensitive situation with limited information?
(limit characters)
19. Please indicate where in your resume (e.g., position title, work experience, education, etc.) your ratings for the above questions can be verified. The information you provide in the text box below will only be used to help reviewers find verifying information in your resume. The information you provide in the text box will not be evaluated or rated.
(limit 250 characters)
20. Which of the following responses best describes your experience working in environments where immediate and unpredictable circumstances necessitated an operational change?
(limit characters)
21. Which of the following responses best describes your highest level of experience responding to emergencies or incidents? Answer
(limit characters)
22. What types of tasks have required you to shift from one task/ objective to another based on new information gathered onsite?
(limit characters)
23. Which of the following statements best describes your most common course of action when presented with a unique situation outside of established workplace policies and norms?
(limit characters)
24. Please indicate where in your resume (e.g., position title, work experience, education, etc.) your ratings for the above questions can be verified. The information you provide in the text box below will only be used to help reviewers find verifying information in your resume. The information you provide in the text box will not be evaluated or rated.
(limit 250 characters)
25. From the following list, identify the situations in which you have adapted your behavior/work methods to overcome a conflict with others or adjusted to other people, changing situations, or work schedules.
(limit characters)
26. Which of the following responses best represents your highest level of experience interacting with various groups and individuals?
(limit characters)
27. Which of the following statements best describes your experience developing and maintaining relationships with internal or external stakeholders?
(limit characters)
28. From the list below, identify all the officials / organizations with which you have established working relationships.
(limit characters)
29. Please indicate where in your resume (e.g., position title, work experience, education, etc.) your ratings for the above questions can be verified. The information you provide in the text box below will only be used to help reviewers find verifying information in your resume. The information you provide in the text box will not be evaluated or rated.
(limit 250 characters)