U.S. Marine Corps Logo
Position Title
ANIMAL CARETAKER
Agency
U.S. Marine Corps
Announcement Number
DE-12681750-25-JS Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 to Monday, February 10, 2025
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 an active duty service member with a statement of service showing that you expect to be honorably discharged or released from the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after submitting your application? Please note: you will be ineligible for consideration if your statement of service is not submitted with your application or it shows an expected discharge or release date greater than 120 days from the date of the submission of the certification.

You are required to submit a statement of service printed on command letterhead and signed by the command. The statement of service must provide the branch of service, rate/rank, all dates of service, the expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (e.g., Honorable, General, etc.).  Veterans should upload their DD-214 once they receive it upon separation.  

Failure to provide supporting documentation will result in a rating of ineligible. For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
(limit characters)
3. Are you a retired civil service federal employee seeking reemployment?

If yes, you are required to submit a copy of your retirement SF-50 (or equivalent).

The Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Navy (DON) policy on employment of annuitants will be used in determining eligibility of annuitants. Annuitants reemployed in the Department of Defense receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They are not eligible for retirement contributions, to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan, nor to a supplemental or re-determined annuity for the reemployment period. Discontinued service retirement annuitants (i.e. retired under section 8336(d)(1) or 8416(b)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code) appointed to the Department of Defense may elect to be subject to retirement provisions of the new appointment, as appropriate.

Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf
(limit characters)
4. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the Department of Defense?

If yes, confirm:
  • You are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy AND
  • You are applying to a position that is at (or below) the grade level of the position from which you were (or will be) separated AND
  • You are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you have been (or will be) separated AND
  • Your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or equivalent.
If you answer yes to this question, you are required to submit supporting documentation to validate your claim for interagency career transition assistance including 1) a copy of your agency notice, 2) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal, AND 3) a copy of your most recent SF-50 or notification of personnel action that includes position, grade level, and duty location.

Failure to provide this documentation will result in a rating of ineligible. 
 
For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
(limit characters)
5. I am an MR or NG Reserve Technician who will lose or has lost my military membership through no fault of my own after completing at least 15 years of technician service and a minimum of 20 years of service creditable for non-regular retirement. I am exercising my preference eligibility to DoD positions within my local commuting area in accordance with Section 3329(b) of Title 5, U.S.C. This preference eligibility is valid for 1 year after separation.

NOTE 1: If you indicate "yes" to this question, you must submit a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist found here and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as the notification letter you received showing you are no longer eligible for military or NG membership (through no fault of your own) and that you have completed at least 15 years of technician service and a minimum of 20 years of service creditable for non-regular retirement.

NOTE 2: By using this eligibility, you certify that you have not obtained permanent Federal employment, nor have you accepted or declined a PPP job offer.
(limit characters)
6. I am currently on retained grade based on receiving a written RIF notification letter of a change to lower grade, or a notification letter of a classification downgrade dated within the last 2 years. I am exercising my preference eligibility to DoD positions within my local commuting area.

NOTE 1: If you indicate "yes" for this statement, you must submit a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist found here and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as a RIF change-to-lower-grade notice, and an SF-50 reflecting your RIF change to lower grade.

NOTE 2: By using this eligibility, you certify that you have not accepted permanent Federal employment at your retained grade, nor have you accepted or declined a PPP job offer.
(limit characters)
7. Are you the spouse of a relocating Armed Forces member?  If yes, please confirm the following:

I am a military spouse who is currently married to my active duty sponsor. I am exercising my preference eligibility for positions within the local commuting area of my sponsor's current duty station.  I certify that I have not accepted nor declined a permanent, continuing Federal or non-appropriated fund position in the local commuting area of our current duty location. 

NOTE 1:  Military spouses are eligible for one permanent noncompetitive appointment using their preference eligibility for the duration of the active duty sponsor's assignment to a permanent duty station, as long as the military spouse has not declined or accepted a permanent Federal or non-appropriated fund position in the commuting area of the sponsor's current duty location.  If you certify that you have not used your preference at your sponsor's current duty location and it is discovered to be untrue, you may be subject to loss of MSP and possible disciplinary action. 

NOTE 2:  Spouses may exercise their spouse preference and priority status through the application-based process up to 30 calendar days prior to the military sponsor's reporting date to the new duty station or upon relocation anytime thereafter during the sponsor's tour. Spouses who do not initially relocate with their sponsor cannot exercise spouse preference and priority status until they are actually residing in the commuting area of the sponsor's duty station.

NOTE 3:  You must include a completed copy of the UPDATED Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist found here along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility includes at a minimum: A copy of the PCS orders, and your marriage certificate or license.

Failure to provide this documentation will result in a rating of ineligible.
(limit characters)
8. I am an MR or NG Technician who will be or has been involuntarily medically retired due to a service-connected medical disability that disqualifies me from military membership or from holding my required military grade, and have applied for or am receiving a disability retirement annuity. I am exercising my preference eligibility to DoD positions within my local commuting area. I understand that the position for which I am applying must be at the same grade or equivalent level, tenure, and work schedule as the position held currently or upon separation.

NOTE 1: If you indicate "yes" to this question, you must submit a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist found here and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as the notification letter you received that states you are no longer eligible for Reserve membership due to a service-connected disability.

NOTE 2: By using this eligibility, you certify that you have not obtained permanent Federal employment, nor have you accepted or declined a PPP job offer.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Where did you hear about this job? We know you saw this announcement on USAJOBS, but did you hear about it somewhere else first?

Please tell us where you first heard about this job.
(limit characters)
2. Are you a current or former political appointee as described under 5 U.S.C. sections 5312 through 5316 (relating to the Executive Schedule)?
OR
Are you a current or former Schedule A, Schedule C, or appointee who serves/served in a political capacity under agency-specific authority in the Executive Branch?
OR
Are you a current or former non-career SES, Limited Term SES, or Limited Emergency SES in the Executive Branch?
OR
Are you a current or former political appointee in the Executive Branch?

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. A recent or former political appointee is defined as someone who held a political appointment covered by OPM's policy within the previous 5-year period. If you are currently employed, or have been employed within the last 5 years, in any one of the categories above, you must disclose this information. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.

For more information see https://www.chcoc.gov/content/political-appointees-and-career-civil-service-positions-4 and https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/oversight-activities/faqs/

If you answer Yes to this question, you must provide your current or past SF50 for the political appointment.
(limit characters)
Conditions of Employment
1. I am willing and able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license. (limit characters)
2. I am willing and able to submit to a pre-employment physical exam prior to employment. (limit characters)
3. I am willing and able to work a Shift Work schedule. A Shift Work schedule describes work performed with varying and/or rotating shifts. (limit characters)
4. I am willing and able to work an uncommon tour of duty (may include weekend, nights, overtime, or holidays). (limit characters)
Assessment 1
1. Read all of the statements below, and then select the response based on your highest level of experience and/or training that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of the position. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
2. Follow oral or written directions to complete animal caretaking tasks. (limit characters)
3. Follow procedures in issuing citations for animal control violations. (limit characters)
4. Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and verbal instructions to maintain written records and reports (e.g., room log sheets, animal census data, sick call reports, cage cards). (limit characters)
5. Perform routine investigations of animal nuisance complaints. (limit characters)
6. Assemble, disassemble, or move cages or equipment to meet demands and occupancy of a shelter. (limit characters)
7. Inform an animal caretaker leader of the repairs needed for defective animal caretaking equipment. (limit characters)
8. Inspect animal caretaking equipment and vehicles daily for damage or loss. (limit characters)
9. Operate machinery and equipment used in barrier or conventional animal care programs (e.g., autoclaves, air showers, cage washing machines, automatic bottle filler, floor scrubbing machines, ventilated cage racks, clean hoods, biological safety cabinets, light meters). (limit characters)
10. Report any defects in animal caretaking equipment to maintain safe operation. (limit characters)
11. Clean animal pens, cages, rooms, holding areas, or equipment to maintain a clean and sanitized work area. (limit characters)
12. Conduct vehicle patrol of areas to find and obtain stray animals. (limit characters)
13. Handle or restrain animals to safely transfer from one cage to another without injury to animals or personnel. (limit characters)
14. Inspect a shelter daily to verify cleanliness, feeding, watering, quarantine, and care of animals. (limit characters)
15. Quarantine vicious or biting animals to protect other animals, staff members, and self from harm. (limit characters)
16. Use personal protection equipment (e.g., gloves, face masks, safety glasses) to maintain safety when performing animal caretaking duties. (limit characters)
17. Analyze the appearance of pelts to determine signs of internal parasites or improper diet. (limit characters)
18. Determine the type and amount of feed animals receive to verify they are receiving the proper nutrition and supplements. (limit characters)
19. Inventory supplies weekly (e.g., food, litter) to procure necessary shortages of materials. (limit characters)
20. Receive animals, equipment, and supplies in accordance with instructions from an animal caretaker leader. (limit characters)
21. Unload and move feed, equipment, and supplies to maintain storage areas. (limit characters)
22. Care for an assigned group of animals according to specific schedules and routine methods. (limit characters)
23. Chart the feed requirements (e.g., measurements, preparation of diet food items, liquid requirements, supplements) to determine amount of feed to change in an animal's diet. (limit characters)
24. Observe environmental conditions to report inappropriate changes in temperature, humidity, ventilation, or lighting. (limit characters)
25. Observe feeding habits of animals to record or report deviation of normal procedures to supervisory personnel. (limit characters)
26. Oversee breeding or reproduction of animals according to their physical traits or to produce given numbers of animals. (limit characters)
27. Prepare specialized diets for animals in accordance with instructions. (limit characters)
28. Adjust food and diet requirements to accommodate young, pregnant, or nursing animals. (limit characters)
29. Increase or decrease the amounts of feed for over or underweight animals. (limit characters)
30. Perform routine record keeping procedures for a shelter. (limit characters)
31. Use scales to determine and assess the weight of animals. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
32. Do you certify that all of your responses to this questionnaire are true and accurate; and do you accept that if your supporting documentation does not support one or more of your responses to the questionnaire that your application may be rated lower or you may be removed from further consideration? (limit characters)