- Position Title
- Transportation Security Specialist-Explosives Detection Canine Handler (EDCH)
- Agency
- Transportation Security Administration
- Announcement Number
- SO-24-20240711-12477677-ST Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, August 1, 2024 to Wednesday, August 14, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you an Individual with a Disability? You are eligible for this appointing authority if you are an individual:
- with an intellectual disability; OR
- a severe physical disability; OR
- a psychiatric impairment; AND
- you have acceptable proof of the disability.
- a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional duly certified by a State, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory, to practice medicine); or,
- a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (State or private); or,
- a Federal agency, State agency, or an agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits.
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.
Do you have a disability (physical or mental) that you believe will interfere with completing the online assessments and require a Reasonable Accommodation?
4.
Were you formerly, but not currently, employed as a permanent (non-temporary) civilian employee in a Federal agency other than the Agency hiring for this position?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent status.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent status.
5.
Are you currently employed as a permanent (non-temporary) civilian employee in a Federal agency other than the Agency hiring for this position?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent (non-temporary) status.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent (non-temporary) status.
6.
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).
7.
Are you currently employed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)?
As a current TSA employee, you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your most recent non-Award Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) reflecting your status.
TSA employees who do not submit the SF-50 with their application must document their current TSA position in their resume and may be required to provide the SF-50 document during the selection process. TSA employees may obtain a copy of their most recent non-Award SF-50 at https://eopf.opm.gov/dhs/.
As a current TSA employee, you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your most recent non-Award Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) reflecting your status.
TSA employees who do not submit the SF-50 with their application must document their current TSA position in their resume and may be required to provide the SF-50 document during the selection process. TSA employees may obtain a copy of their most recent non-Award SF-50 at https://eopf.opm.gov/dhs/.
8.
Are you a former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employee?
To verify your eligibility as a current or former TSA civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent status.
To verify your eligibility as a current or former TSA civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent status.
9.
Are you eligible for appointment as a veterans preference eligible?
This category includes veterans whose discharge was under honorable conditions AND:
Supporting documentation:
You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. Acceptable documentation is:
** The "certification" is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the certification is submitted for consideration in the hiring process. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Prior to appointment, the service member's character of service and qualifying discharge or release must be verified through a DD form 214 or equivalent documentation.
This category includes veterans whose discharge was under honorable conditions AND:
- who served 3 or more years of continuous active duty service in the military or
- who have preference eligibility; or
- who have derived preference.
Supporting documentation:
You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. Acceptable documentation is:
- DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," showing dates of service, as well as character of service (Honorable, General, etc.). The member 4 copy of your DD Form 214 is preferable (Note: If you have more than one DD Form 214 for multiple periods of active duty service, you should submit a copy for each period of service.); OR
- Future Military Retirees*: You are required to submit a copy of your retirement DD Form 214 OR a copy of your approved retirement letter AND a copy of your terminal leave letter OR certification document**. You will be required to provide your DD Form 214 prior to appointment; OR
- Future Military Separatees*: You are required to submit a copy of your most recent DD Form 214 OR certification document** OR a copy of your most recent active duty orders AND a copy of your terminal leave request (if applicable). You will be required to provide your DD Form 214 prior to appointment.
- Disabled Veterans: You are required to submit a copy of one of the separation documents identified above AND documentation of your overall service connected disability identified on the SF-15, page 2, section B or Section C.
** The "certification" is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the certification is submitted for consideration in the hiring process. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Prior to appointment, the service member's character of service and qualifying discharge or release must be verified through a DD form 214 or equivalent documentation.
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).
2.
Referred applicants may be shared with other locations within TSA. Do you authorize the sharing of your name and application materials with other locations? If you respond "No", your name and application materials may only be shared for the position and locations on this announcement.
How did you hear about this opportunity?
1.
Please let us know how you heard about this opportunity.
Suitability and Conditions of Employment
1.
Please indicate whether or not you have been convicted* of any of the offenses 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.
*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.
- Forgery of certificates, false marking of aircraft, and other aircraft registration violations.
- Interference with air navigation.
- Improper transportation of hazardous material.
- Aircraft piracy.
- Interference with flight crew members or flight attendants.
- Commission of certain crimes aboard aircraft in flight.
- Carrying a weapon or explosive aboard aircraft.
- Conveying false information and threats.
- Aircraft piracy outside the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States.
- 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.
- Unlawful entry into an aircraft area that serves air carriers or foreign air carriers contrary to established security requirements.
- 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.
- Murder.
- Assault with intent to murder.
- Espionage.
- Sedition (inciting insurrection against lawful authority).
- Kidnapping or hostage taking.
- Treason.
- Rape or aggravated sexual abuse.
- Unlawful possession, use, sale, distribution, or manufacture of an explosive or weapon.
- Extortion.
- Armed or felony armed robbery.
- Distribution of, or intent to distribute a controlled substance.
- Felony arson.
- Felony involving a threat.
- Felony involving willful destruction of property.
- Felony involving importation or manufacture of a controlled substance.
- Felony involving burglary.
- Felony involving theft.
- Felony involving dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation.
- Felony involving possession or distribution of stolen property.
- Felony involving aggravated assault.
- Felony involving bribery.
- 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.
- Violence at international airports.
- Conspiracy or attempt to commit any of the criminal acts listed above.
- Interference with security screening personnel.
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.
2.
Does the TSA employ any of your relatives?
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 within the last three years.
Note: By responding "Yes" to any of these, you will be removed from consideration for this position
Note: By responding "Yes" to any of these, you will be removed from consideration for this position
3.
Were you separated due to unacceptable performance?
4.
Were you separated due to misconduct?
5.
Were you separated due to receiving a negative suitability determination from the Personnel Security Division?
6.
Did you resign after receiving a proposed removal letter?
Resume Requirements
1.
I understand that my Resume must include the following or I may be found ineligible for consideration:
- Narrative description of duties with start and end dates (including month and year) for work experience
- Number of hours worked in a position (i.e. full-time or part-time). If part-time, state the total number of hours worked per week
- Performance level for federal civilian positions (i.e. band or grade)
Additional EDCH 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
9.
I understand that as a condition of employment, I must reside within 50-miles of my official duty station.
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.
11.
I understand that answering NO to any of these job awareness questions will remove me from further consideration for this position.
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?
13.
Do you have previous professional canine experience?
14.
How many years of previous professional canine handler experience do you have?
15.
What type of Canine Handler experience did you possess?
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.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
Do you possess a bachelor's or higher-level degree from an accredited college or university in any field; OR do you possess 3 years of general work experience, one year equivalent to the 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 a combination of education and experience as outlined in the vacancy announcement?
2.
Coordinating with others to conduct threat assessment and/or mitigation activities.
3.
Interacting with the public to respond to inquiries and maintain a calm environment.
4.
Using security techniques and available intelligence information to determine where to focus attention.
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)
(limit 250 characters)
6.
Compiling and/or organizing data from a variety of sources.
7.
Maintaining files, documents, and/or records (e.g., training documentation, vehicle usage/maintenance data, work activities/time).
8.
Using standard word processing software (e.g., Microsoft Word) to draft, review, and revise correspondence, reports, or other documents.
9.
Using software systems and databases to track and/or analyze information.
10.
Preparing all necessary documentation related to a variety of situations, activities, and/or issues (e.g., incident reports).
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)
(limit 250 characters)
12.
Which of the following statements best describes your experience ensuring the accuracy of information and work products?
13.
From the list below, select all of the technical or instructional documents you have experience interpreting and applying.
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)
(limit 250 characters)
15.
From the following statements, identify the highest level of problem-solving activity that you have performed.
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?
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.
18.
Which of the following responses best describes your typical approach to making a decision in a time sensitive situation with limited information?
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)
(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?
21.
Which of the following responses best describes your highest level of experience responding to emergencies or incidents? Answer
22.
What types of tasks have required you to shift from one task/ objective to another based on new information gathered onsite?
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?
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)
(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.
26.
Which of the following responses best represents your highest level of experience interacting with various groups and individuals?
27.
Which of the following statements best describes your experience developing and maintaining relationships with internal or external stakeholders?
28.
From the list below, identify all the officials / organizations with which you have established working relationships.
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)
(limit 250 characters)